This Whole30-compliant Instant Pot pork and cabbage stew is so easy and delicious to make from pantry staples, it almost feels like you’re cheating in the kitchen! Hallelujah for quick shortcuts to healthy one-pot meals!

An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with Instant Pot Cheater Pork and Cabbage Stew over some cauliflower rice.

A Nomster favorite Instant Pot pork stew!

Years ago when I was working the night shift as a hospital pharmacist (a.k.a. zombie drug dealer), I accidentally came up with a fabulous and simple Slow Cooker Cheater Pork stew recipe by haphazardly dumping some umami-packed ingredients and cubed pork shoulder along with some vegetables into a Crock-Pot. It’s an OG Nom Nom Paleo classic recipe, but after I discovered the wonders of pressure cooking in an Instant Pot, I stopped making it in a slow cooker. After gentle prodding from Nomsters like you, I finally wrote up the directions on how to cook it effortlessly in an Instant Pot!

A collage of the cooking steps to make Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew, a simple and delicious one-pot Whole30 and Paleo dinner!

How is the Instant Pot version different?

Because this version is cooked under high pressure, the stew is done in just a fraction of the time. However, just like with a slow cooker, you can set the Instant Pot and forget it—and the stew will be warm and ready to eat when you get home. I also updated the seasoning to include my indispensable Magic Mushroom Powder, and it really adds incredible flavor. No Instant Pot? Make the original recipe in a slow cooker!

Psst! No Extra Liquid is Needed!

The ingredients for the stew are as written—you don’t need to add an extra cup of liquid, chicken broth, or red wine to the Instant Pot! The pork, onions, and marinara sauce will release enough liquid for the stew to come up to pressure. Really.

Ingredients

Pork shoulder or pork butt: You really need to use collagen-rich pork shoulder or pork butt in this recipe. Boneless country ribs also work great. Please don’t be tempted to use pork stew meat (which can be a mixture of subpar cuts) or pork tenderloin, pork loin, or pork chops (all three cuts are too lean).
Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee
Yellow onion
Garlic
Magic Mushroom Powder
Red Boat fish sauce
Marinara sauce
Carrots
Cabbage
Aged balsamic vinegar
Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Italian parsley (optional)

How to make Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew

Turn on the sauté function on your Instant Pot. When the metal insert is hot, swirl in olive oil or your favorite cooking fat.

An overhead shot of someone pouring extra virgin olive oil into an open Instant Pot on the sauté function.

Toss in the onions and cook until slightly softened.

Adding sliced onions to an open Instant Pot on the sauté function to make Instant Pot pork stew with cabbage.

Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Don’t burn it!

Adding smashed and peeled garlic cloves to the sautéed onions in an open Instant Pot to make a paleo pork and cabbage stew.

Plop in the cubed pork and add the Magic Mushroom Powder and fish sauce.

Adding a spoonful of Magic Mushroom Powder to an open Instant Pot filled with pork, onions, and garlic.

Stir well to distribute the seasonings.

Stirring the contents of an Instant Pot filled with ingredients to make paleo and Whole30 pork and cabbage stew.

Pour marinara sauce on top of the pork, but don’t stir it. (Some of the newer Instant Pots will show a “Burn” error message if the tomato sauce scalds.)

An overhead shot of an open Instant Pot with pork stew covered topped with marinara sauce.

Turn off the sauté function. Lock the lid on the pressure cooker and program it to cook for 35 minutes under high pressure.

The front display of a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus says "00:35"

When the pork is finished cooking, release the pressure manually. (If you’re not around, no biggie. The pressure drop can naturally while you’re out and about.)

A hand is pressing the button to manually release the pressure on an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus.

Add the carrots and cabbage to the stew and cook under high pressure for 3 minutes.

A hand is adding cabbage wedges and sliced carrots to an Instant Pot filled with Whole30 pork stew.

Release pressure manually…

An overhead shot of an Instant Pot filled with pork and cabbage stew right after it has finished cooking.

…and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Taste the stew for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.

Pouring in a spoonful of aged balsamic acid in an open Instant Pot filled with Whole30 pork and cabbage stew.

Top the stew with fresh Italian parsley and serve!

Someone sprinkling minced Italian parsley on a bowl of Instant Pot Pork and Cabbage stew.

What do you serve with this pork stew?

I usually serve this stew on top of cauliflower rice or alongside a big green salad or roasted vegetables (e.g. Whole Roasted Cauliflower or baked sweet potatoes). You can also ladle it on top of raw zucchini noodles (a.k.a. zoodles) and the hot liquid will cook them al dente. Not paleo or low carb? Spoon this amazing pork stew over mashed potatoes!

How do you save leftovers?

The leftover pork stew can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Leftover makeover ideas?

One of my favorite leftover makeovers to make with this stew (or any leftover stew) is to convert it into a hearty soup! Simply add broth in about a 1:1 ratio to the stew and throw in some vegetables to bulk it up. Then, simmer the soup until vegetables cook to your desired tenderness. You can also use the stew as a filling for omelets or in tasty lettuce wraps!

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew (Whole30, Keto)

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