Bosanski Lonac is a specialty cabbage stew rich with vegetables and chunks of tender meat, made quickly in an instant pot or simmered low and slow in your Dutch oven or slow cooker.
Drizzle the bottom of an instant pot with two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add half the cabbage and press down a bit with your hand.
Place the meat over the cabbage, then layer the chopped onion, tomato, carrot, pepper, and garlic.
Add the bay leaves, tomato paste, paprika, peppercorns, and Vegeta or salt.
Top with potato cubes and rest of the cabbage. Press down again. Pour in the water or broth.
Close the lid and steam valve on the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, and then allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes before a quick release.
Stir before serving. Serve sprinkled with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For the full recipe, your instant pot should be no smaller than 6 quarts.
This healthy dish is gluten-free and low in carbs, but if you want it keto-friendly, omit the potato.
If you're replacing water with beef broth, add only ½ teaspoon of salt.
Instead of whole peppercorns, add ½ teaspoon ground.
Refrain from adding too many herbs and spices to this dish. Authentic Bosnian cuisine uses these moderately.
Want more veggies? Chopped celery, green beans, and cauliflower florets work well in this recipe.
Don't worry if your pot is full to its maximum - the cabbage will cook down quickly.
You can prepare all the vegetables the day before then layer and cook when required.
You can pair this dish with homemade bread, biscuits, or mashed potatoes. Or choose a lighter accompaniment like a green salad.
This dish reheats well. Stews taste better a day or two after cooking! Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
For Dutch oven and slow cooker cooking methods, please refer to the instructions in the post.
For best results, read additional tips in the post above.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used and serving size.