Made with only 6 ingredients and in 15 minutes, this recipe for Instant Pot Smoked Sausage with Potatoes is the definition of a fast family dinner! While the ingredients are humble, the results are pure comfort! Between the soft, flavorful potatoes, the spicy, hearty sausage, and the super tender green beans–this one pot meal may be simple but the results are anything but bland and boring!
This recipe for Kielbasa and Potatoes is a hearty, economical, kid-friendly meal. It is ready in record time thanks to the Instant Pot, making it perfect for those really busy nights!
This recipe for Instant Pot Kielbasa and Potatoes was inspired by my childhood.
I grew up in an area with a lot of Polish influence, and so there was a lot of kielbasa, or polish smoked sausage, used in recipes. My grandparents would make a simple dish using kielbasa, potatoes, and green beans. It was simmered for hours on the stove or in the slow cooker, until the potatoes and green beans were super soft and absorbed all the rich flavor from the sausage.
I took that recipe and sped up the process. Now in less than 20 minutes, the magic of the Instant Pot delivers this Polish comfort food.
It is rich, creamy, flavorful and so incredibly easy to make.
Key Ingredients
This recipe is made with humble ingredients, but there are a few things to note about each ingredient.
- Kielbasa: Kielbasa is polish smoked sausage. You can use any smoked sausage you like. I use an organic beef smoked sausage that is free from nitrates, preservatives, and MSG. However, you can use any variety of smoked sausage you like.
- Potatoes: Russet, red, or Yukon Gold potatoes can be used. There is no need to peel the potatoes. Simply scrub and chop into 1.5-2 inch cubes.
- Green Beans: My grandparents used canned green beans for this recipe, and so that is what I use. It keeps this recipe super simple to make. Plus that means there is no cleaning and chopping of fresh green beans which is a huge time saver. But feel free to use fresh trimmed green beans in place of the canned beans.
- Chicken Stock: I used homemade chicken stock as my liquid of choice for cooking this instant pot recipe. You can use store bought stock or water, but stock will add more flavor to the completed dish.
- Cajun Seasoning: I find that a Cajun blend of spices adds just the right flavor to potatoes and pairs well with the smoked sausage. I use homemade Cajun seasoning, but you can use your favorite store bought brand or seasoned salt in it’s place.
- Onions: The onions are totally optional, but do add a bit of flavor to this dish. Feel free to omit.
How to Make Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and let heat up for a minute or two.
- Add in a teaspoon of oil and the kielbasa and minced onion. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until the sausage begins to get crispy and browned and the onion softens.
- Add in the stock and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot.
- Layer potatoes, Cajun seasoning, and drained green beans on top of sausage.
- Close the pressure cooker and be sure vent knob is sealed.
- Set cook time for 2 minutes on high pressure. Note: If you want your potatoes JUST fork tender, but still somewhat firm, set cook time for only 1 minute.
- Let pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes before doing a quick release of pressure.
- Open up the pressure cooker, give everything a stir and serve.
This is a really easy and fast recipe, but if you if you are really in a time crunch, I suggest skipping sauteing the sausage. I love the crispy texture the sauteing adds to this dish, but it is completely not necessary.
More Instant Pot Comfort Food Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced onion optional
- 1 pound smoked sausage sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 cup chicken stock see note
- 2 pounds potatoes cubed
- 32 ounces canned green beans drained
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute and allow to heat up for a minute or two.
- Add in olive oil, sausage, and the minced onion. Saute for 2-3 minutes, or until the sausage begins to be brown and the onions soften. Turn the Instant Pot OFF.
- Add in the stock and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot.
- Add in potatoes on top of the sausage and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning. Add drained green beans on top of sausage.
- Close the Instant Pot and seal the vent knob to sealed.
- Hit manual or pressure cook and adjust cook time to 2 minutes on HIGH pressure. For the Ultra model, hit Ultra, then adjust to high pressure and then adjust to cook for 2 minutes.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of pressure by hitting the vent knob from sealed to venting, being careful to stand away from the steam being released. You can also let pressure release naturally.
- Stir together the ingredients and serve.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- Chicken Stock: Use 1 cup stock for a 6 quart Instant Pot and 1.5 cups stock for an 8 quart Instant Pot. You can also use water in a pinch.
- Cook Time: 2 minute cook time will cook the potatoes to a creamy, soft consistency. If you want your potatoes JUST fork tender, but still somewhat firm, set cook time for only 1 minute.
- Smoked Sausage: Use any type of precooked smoked sausage or kielbasa you like. I look for an organic variety that is nitrate free, MSG free, preservative free and lower in sodium. You can also use turkey or chicken sausage to cut the amount of fat significantly.
- Cajun Seasoning can be replaced with seasoned salt, or 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container. This recipe does not freeze well.
- Sodium Content: To control the level of sodium, use low sodium stock, rinse canned green beans or use no salt added canned beans, and omit the salt or cut in half the amount of salt in the homemade Cajun seasoning.
- By all means, use fresh trimmed green beans in place of the canned beans if that is what you prefer.
Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/2 cup milk, cream or half n half (slurry) and add at end to make it creamy! A little shredded cheese and deliciousness!
Sounds delicious!
Relatively new to the IP but a fan of jambalaya and many Cajun foods. Loved this and found it super easy to make.
I’ll add a little more spice next time but amazingly flavourful!
So glad you found this tasty and easy to make Don! Thanks for taking the time leave a review.
Everyone had seconds and said I HAD to make this again! Thank you for an easy brunch! I halved the cajun seasoning, which was perfect for the kids. Others were able to add more once on their plate. I used water instead of stock; and added some turmeric and garlic powder for added nutrients. FABULOUS!
So glad you enjoyed! And great modifications for your family!
We loved this! I have an extremely picky eater and not only did he help prepare it, but he raved about how good it was! The Cajun seasoning was quick to make as well. This is definitely going in our rotation of kid friendly meals.
I love hearing this will be a regular meal at your house Holly! Thank you for sharing your review 🙂
Can you use Frozen everything? How much longer would you have to cook it
Hi Michelle! I assume you are referring to using frozen potato cubes, frozen green beans, and frozen sliced kielbasa and DEFROSTED chicken stock. If so, keep cook time the same, it will just take longer to come to pressure. Enjoy
This is great! I grew up with my mom making a boiled dinner without chicken stock but the potatoes and beans needed salt and butter. I didn’t have chicken stock, but I added salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders and paprika. YUM!!! I ate too much. its something that’s hard to stop eating. <3 Thank you!!
LOL! I love meals that are hard to stop eating! So glad you enjoyed!
My hubby and I loved it! I usually have all of the ingredients on hand. I did use salt, pepper and paprika because my hubby doesn’t care for spicy. Thank you for the recipe!
I am so glad you both enjoyed!