Instant Pot Pork Chops with Red Cabbage

Instant Pot pork chops with red cabbage in a cider sauce, a simple & delicious recipe that produces beautifully juicy chops in a silky sauce.

If you get pork chops with the rind on, I've also included some instructions for creating perfect crispy crackling in the oven!

Pressure Cooker Pork Chops with Red Cabbage

It's not an overstatement to say that I have a thing for pork chops; I love them, and there are more than a few recipes that demonstrate that love here!

I have everything from sweet and sour pork chops with flavours loosely based on the Chinese takeaway, Normandy pork chops with a distinctly French vibe to Harissa pork chops that play around with Moroccan flavours and a pork chop casserole built on some solid Italian flavours.

I also have some slow cooker pork chops with tomatoes and peppers for those who prefer to cook in a Crock Pot.

These Instant Pot pork chops are European in influence and are cooked in cinnamon and cider with some simply shredded red cabbage.

The nature of cooking in a pressure cooker helps keep these thick bone-in pork chops beautifully moist and juicy.

It is a simple recipe, and if you have rind on pork chops, then you will love my instructions for the crispy crackling!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use thinner pork chops?

Not for this recipe, no! No amount of playing with the Instant Pot timing will result in pork chops that are juicy and tender.

Can I use boneless pork chops?

Personally speaking, I would not bother! They cook really quickly on the stovetop, and cooking them in the Instant Pot does not add anything.

Do I have to use cider?

No, there are a whole host of substitutes that work really quite well. You could play with a light ale, lager, white wine, sherry or even red wine at a push.

If you do not want to cook with alcohol, you can just use stock or combine stock with apple or pear juice. If you are using fruit juice, use just 125ml (half of a cup), and double the stock to 250ml (1cup).

Can I use white cabbage or savoy cabbage?

Yes, for white cabbage, but it is not quite as good with Savoy cabbage. The green leafy nature of savoy cabbage means that it cooks too quickly in the Instant Pot in comparison to the pork chops.

A NOTE FOR US-BASED COOKS!

Cider here in Europe is *always* booze, which you guys refer to as hard cider.

Serving Suggestions

These simple Instant Pot pork chops are crying out for some equally simple vegetables!

Now I'm a sucker for pork crackling! As a result, I always have the oven on when I am cooking these, so I usually roast some vegetables in the pork fat.

This is pictured with some roast tenderstem broccoli. But they would be just as good with roast potatoes or even roast parsnips.

Mash is another great side for these chops.

However, do not get tunnel-visioned! Sure, mashed potatoes are great, but this is exceptionally good with buttery celeriac mash.

Equipment Used

I only mention specific brands of equipment if I think they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Instant Pot or another pressure cooker. The timing of this recipe is optimised for the Instant Pot.
• Kitchen knife.
• Chopping Board.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.
• Long tongs.
• Stirring and slotted spoons.
• Small mixing bowl.
• An oven and oven-proof frying pan if you are making the crackling.