These Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls are the real deal! Cook the whole head of cabbage first, then peel the leaves, stuff and cook a second time.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Green cabbage – you could try using Napa or Savoy cabbage instead.
- Extra lean ground beef – any ground meat like ground turkey or ground chicken can be used in place of ground beef.
- White rice – use any kind of white or brown rice. Keep in mind that if you use rice, it’ll alter the cooking time.
- Onion – yellow, white or red onion can all be used for this recipe.
- Garlic – fresh or jarred minced garlic is best. In a pinch, use a bit of garlic powder.
- Egg – you can leave this out, but it helps bind the meat mixture.
- Paprika – cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper can be used in place of paprika.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Pasta sauce – use your favourite red pasta sauce or make your own.
- Beef broth – chicken broth or vegetable broth would be the best substitutes here.
How to make cabbage rolls in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Cook the cabbage.
Add the whole head of cabbage to the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 1 minute, then do a quick release of the pressure.
Step 2: Make the meat mixture.
Meanwhile, mix the ground beef with the rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Unwrap the cabbage leaves.
Remove the cabbage from the pot and drain the liquid. Unwrap the outermost leaves, then add the beef broth and pasta sauce to the Instant Pot in order. Do not stir.
Step 4: Assemble the cabbage rolls.
Add the meat mixture to the cabbage leaves, then fold them up. Hold in place with toothpicks if needed.
Step 5: Cook on high pressure.
Add the cabbage rolls to the Instant Pot on top of the pasta sauce, then cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Do a natural pressure release, then serve and enjoy!
What to serve with cabbage rolls
Cabbage rolls are a delicious dinner idea that you can enjoy alone or with a side dish! This Instant Pot cabbage recipe is inspired by traditional Polish cabbage rolls, so the best side dishes are ones that compliment the cuisine. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to serve up these cabbage rolls as a full dinner, try something from the list below:
- Mashed potatoes
- Cornbread, garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Salad of choice (bean salad, cucumber salad, leafy green salad, couscous salad, etc.)
- Sauerkraut
- Kielbasa or sausage
- Steamed veggies
- Potato pancakes
Frequently Asked Questions
If you find that your cabbage rolls are tough after cooking, you likely haven’t cooked them for long enough. Make sure you cook the Instant Pot cabbage first followed by 20 minutes of cooking the assembled cabbage rolls on high pressure.
I used green cabbage to make these Instant Pot cabbage rolls, but you can also try making this recipe with Napa cabbage or Savoy cabbage.
You can definitely try! Flash freeze the uncooked assembled cabbage rolls, then transfer them to a Ziploc bag or glass bowl. Let them defrost in the fridge overnight then cook as normal.
I like using white rice for this recipe, but you can use any rice of your choice like brown rice or even quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Storing and reheating
Once you’ve made these Instant Pot cabbage rolls, you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy this dish, reheat the cabbage rolls in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through or in the oven for 10 to 20 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit.
Can you freeze cabbage rolls?
Yes, you can freeze these Instant Pot cabbage rolls, but be careful since they could fall apart when defrosting. For the best results, store them in the fridge for the night before moving them to the freezer and freeze them for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready to enjoy your cabbage rolls, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then use the reheating instructions above.
More Instant Pot cabbage recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into your weekly lunches.
- I get all my ground beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Freeze this recipe in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 head green cabbage
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup dry white rice
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
- 1 (697)mL jar pasta sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Add 1 cup water and the whole head of cabbage to the Instant Pot. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 1 minute. Make sure to deselect the "keep warm" setting.
- Meanwhile, mix ground beef together in a large bowl with rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Do a quick release of the pressure on the Instant Pot by flicking the switch at the top with a spoon. Open the lid when pressure gauge has dropped and the lid opens easily. Remove head of cabbage and drain liquid.
- Unwrap 8-10 outermost leaves from the cabbage, then add beef broth and jar of pasta sauce to the bottom of Instant Pot in that order (broth first). Do not stir.
- Add meat mixture to cabbage leaves, folding up and holding in place with toothpicks if needed. Add cabbage rolls to Instant Pot, then place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 20 minutes.
- Let it do a natural pressure release, then serve cabbage rolls and enjoy!
