Imagine a meal that's packed with protein, bursting with flavor, and ready in under 45 minutes - sounds too good to be true? Our Instant Pot Pork Quinoa Cabbage Bowls are about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner hack! This incredibly satisfying dish combines tender pork, nutritious quinoa, and hearty cabbage in a single pot, delivering maximum taste with minimal effort. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or just someone who loves delicious, easy meals, this recipe is your culinary game-changer.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cubed
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 4 cups cabbage, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cubing the pork shoulder into 1-inch pieces, chopping cabbage, dicing onion, and mincing garlic.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add a tablespoon of oil and brown the pork shoulder cubes on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove browned meat and set aside.
- In the same Instant Pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Return browned pork to the Instant Pot. Add rinsed quinoa, chopped cabbage, chicken broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for remaining pressure.
- Open lid, stir contents, and let sit for 5 minutes to allow quinoa to fully absorb remaining liquid.
- Serve hot in bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or green onions.
Tips
- Meat Selection: Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder for maximum tenderness and flavor. Trim excess fat before cubing.
- Quinoa Prep: Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter.
- Browning Matters: Take time to properly brown the pork cubes - this step builds deep, rich flavor foundations for your dish.
- Liquid Ratio: Ensure you have enough chicken broth; it helps cook the quinoa and keeps the dish from burning.
- Natural Pressure Release: The 10-minute natural release helps the meat become more tender and allows flavors to meld.
- Garnish Options: Enhance your bowl with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or green onions for added freshness.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This recipe stores beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 301kcal
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 60mg
