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Home » Blog » Recipes » Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew (Whole30, Keto)

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew (Whole30, Keto)

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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.

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 an extra oomph. 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 to the Instant Pot! The pork, onions, and marinara sauce will release enough liquid for the stew to come up to pressure. Really.

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). You can also ladle it on top of raw zucchini noodles (a.k.a. zoodles) and the hot liquid will cook them al dente.

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!

Time to make Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew!

Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 3½ pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon Magic Mushroom Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Red Boat fish sauce
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 3 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 1 small cabbage, cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley (optional)

Equipment:

  • All of my recommended kitchen tools are listed here.
  • My favorite Instant Pot models are listed here.

Method:

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.

Looking for more Whole30-friendly Instant Pot recipes?

Head to my ever-growing Instant Pot recipe roundup post right here!


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


 PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD

An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with Instant Pot Cheater Pork and Cabbage Stew over some cauliflower rice.
Print Recipe
4.77 from 30 votes

Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew

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!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: gluten-free, grilled pork, Instant Pot, keto, low carb, nomnompaleo, paleo, Whole30
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 335kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil avocado oil, or ghee
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
  • 3½ pounds pork shoulder cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon Magic Mushroom Powder or Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Red Boat fish sauce
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 3 medium carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 small cabbage cut into 8 wedges cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt 
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • Turn on the sauté function on your Instant Pot. When the metal insert is hot, swirl in olive oil or your favorite cooking fat.
  • Toss in the onions and cook until slightly softened.
  • Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Don’t burn it!
  • Plop in the cubed pork and add the Magic Mushroom Powder and fish sauce. Stir well to distribute the seasonings.
  • 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.)
  • Turn off the sauté function. Lock the lid on the pressure cooker and program it to cook for 35 minutes under high pressure.
  • 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.)
  • Add the carrots and cabbage to the stew and cook under high pressure for 3 minutes.
  • Release pressure manually and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Taste the stew for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Top the stew with fresh Italian parsley and serve!
Tried this recipe?Mention @nomnompaleo or tag #nomnompaleo!

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 6g
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. @SBKK4 says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    This looks delicious, however, there is no liquid added to pot? I thought that at least one cup is needed to bring pot to pressure. I’m new to Instant Pot cooking.

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    i’m not a fan of cooked carrots, any other veggies you’d suggest?

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      You can leave them out or add some cubed potatoes!

      Reply
  3. Katie says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Recommended substitute for marinara?! Broth? Thanks and absolutely love everything you have to offer! You’ve inspired me!

    Reply
    • Lex says

      August 30, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      I just use canned tomatoes. Just blend them up smooth. 🙂 It’s delicious!

      Reply
  4. Future HoF OT WK says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    It looks very tasty, but I’m stuck in the 1990s and don’t have an instant pot… thoughts about how to do it in a dutch oven on the stove?

    Reply
  5. Trina says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Any way to get rid of the fat that floats on the top or could you recommend a leaner cut of meat?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Would this work with beef?

    Reply
  7. Diane Rubenstein says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Can use Nomato sauce in place of the Marinara?

    Reply
  8. WJ says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Made this over the weekend for mealprep – the cabbage is a great addition and the pork shoulder is fantastic – I’ve made some similar stews with beef and really prefer this one. Cheers to eating well for the week!

    Reply
  9. Bonexzy Aloysius says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    This is but a great inspiration.

    Thanks for this wonderful match of talent with great recipe.

    Reply
  10. Kate Muldoon says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    This was DELICIOUS!! Over the top yummy, and will definitely be going into the rotation. Thanks for a great recipe!!!

    Reply
  11. Stephanie Shaw says

    August 24, 2020 at 3:40 am

    Finally had a chance to make this dish, & it was wonderful. Added some parsnips, since I was low on carrots. Plus, had the Primal Kitchen garlic marina sauce & it all just made it even better. Serving over cauli-rice was a great idea. The hubby went for seconds. Thank you for another yummy umami filled healthy meal.

    Reply
  12. Julie says

    October 20, 2020 at 5:25 pm

    Hi Michelle, if I only have pork loin, which is quite lean, would you recommend reducing the cook time? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      October 21, 2020 at 12:22 am

      I wouldn’t cook a pork loin in the Instant Pot because you’ll probably overcook it! Just roast it in the oven!

      Reply
  13. Johanna says

    January 23, 2021 at 3:10 am

    Hi Michelle, I love the sound of the recipe, but I only have a pressure cooker. Can I still do it?
    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      January 24, 2021 at 8:19 pm

      Yep! All of my Instant Pot recipes can be made in a stovetop pressure cooker! If your pressure cooker is 15 psi, you can probably even cook it for only 30 minutes under high pressure.

      Reply
  14. Samantha says

    January 27, 2021 at 1:34 am

    5 stars
    Wow! This was AMAZING! And easy! I couldn’t find a smaller pork shoulder roast so I used a pork top sirloin roast. Wasn’t sure if it would work with the leaner cut of meat but it was very tender and didn’t over cook. I already want to make this again soon.

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    January 27, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    Hello,
    My husband is allergic to tomatoes. Is there anything I could sub for the tomato sauce? I’ve made this before and my family LOVED it, but now that we have his allergy I know adding something different will make it taste different, but I don’t mind. Any suggestions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      January 28, 2021 at 12:09 am

      Maybe try this recipe instead? https://nomnompaleo.com/instant-pot-magic-pork

      Reply
  16. Kimberlee says

    February 21, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    We plan to make this recipe using the slow cooker method and we were wondering if we could use a different cut of pork? A cut with less fat, or maybe even a cut of beef?
    We love your recipes!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      February 22, 2021 at 8:21 pm

      Cubed beef chuck roast or brisket work! I haven’t tried it with a leaner cut of pork.

      Reply
  17. Claire says

    February 22, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    Insta-Pot version calls for 1 teaspoon of fish sauce. Crock-Pot version says 1 Tablespoon. Which do you recommend? [ I am going with the lesser amount for my first trial.]

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      February 22, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      Both are correct! I think the IP concentrates the flavors so I use less. If you’ve never used fish sauce, use the smaller amount and add to taste!

      Reply
  18. Tmac says

    July 11, 2021 at 2:17 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! Followed the recipe exactly, except subbed butternut squash for the carrots. It is wonderful.

    Reply
  19. Jeanette says

    September 25, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    Have made this recipe several times and I absolutely love it, it is really so delicious! Thanks Michelle!

    Reply
  20. Leilani says

    December 18, 2021 at 5:30 pm

    4 stars
    Tried this recipe last night. It was easy to make. Good and hearty for a cold winter night, however, I was a bit disappointed because the meat, carrots and cabbage were overcooked. They came apart when I stirred the pot after adding balsamic vinegar. I followed your recipe almost to the “T”. First, I want to clarify that I used the instant release both times. I think I made one error. After I added the carrots and cabbage and set it on high pressure for 3 minutes, I notice the temp / cooking program was set at “less” instead of “normal.” Despite this one error, perhaps I should decrease the cooking times? Thanks : )

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      December 18, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      If you like your veggies less soft, only cook under high pressure for 1 minute or make your vegetable pieces bigger. I like mine soft in a stew so I cook them for 3 minutes under high pressure.

      Reply
  21. Eve says

    December 1, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    I am new to Instant pot, but don’t you have to put in at least 1 cup of water, to deglaze the pot after sauting?

    Reply
    • Traci says

      December 19, 2022 at 12:30 am

      5 stars
      No need!

      Reply
  22. Traci says

    December 18, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    Anyone try red cabbage? I think it might make the color of the stew funny but otherwise should work?

    Reply
  23. Dale says

    January 3, 2023 at 8:33 pm

    I’ve made this DELICIOUS stew before, thank you! One questions – do you think it would freeze well? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Bigler says

      January 5, 2023 at 10:47 pm

      Yes, this strew does freeze well. Thanks!

      Reply

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