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 a 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 the 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 its 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 the 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.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- This is a really easy and fast recipe, but 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.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container. This recipe does not freeze well.
- 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.
More Instant Pot Comfort Food Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
If you tried out this recipe, I would love for you to leave a comment below.

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 ½ 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.
- 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.
Constance Finch
This was an awesome recipe: Quick, easy, fast and delicious. I was a bit skeptical (green beans with potatoes?) but we all loved it. For those who complained about a seeming lack of detailed & extensive instructions, maybe you might like to learn how to use your Instant Pot first before jumping into trying a new recipe? There's lots of YouTube videos on how the Pot works and best practices.
Kristen Chidsey
I also have a post detailing how to use the Instant Pot as well! So happy to hear you enjoyed!
Wes
Simple and delicious
chuck stumpf
did you have to blanch the beans before adding to the instant pot ?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Chuck! No need to blanch the beans, just add to the inner pot after trimming.
Jamie
I have made this recipe several times and it’s one of the very few recipes my entire family will eat. Thank you for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this is a favorite with your ENTIRE family 🙂 What a win!
Kevin
While all the ingredients (I opted against the Cajun seasoning. If I wanted a Cajun dish I would trade shrimp and rice for the green beans.) for a great meal, that I also grew up on, there are a few very important things missing from the recipe. The glaring omission in this recipe, and the timing of same, is that it's meant for experienced Instant Pot users. I am not one of those people. I started preparing ingredients for this recipe at 7pm. It was ready to eat at 8:30 pm. For those unaware, after setting the cook time for 2 minutes it takes nearly 30 minutes for the Instant Pot to start cooking and THEN it starts the actual cooking time. This fact makes the timing in this recipe entirely unreliable and utterly useless. Please folks, if you are posting recipes for the Instant Pot don't assume that the reader is an experienced Instant Pot user that will understand that a "15 minute" recipe will actually take nearly an hour to complete. I've seen dozens of other recipes make the same mistake. If you're posting a recipe please do so responsibly and don't leave out critical instructions! The meal itself, while eaten almost an hour late, was very tasty.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kevin. First of all, while I am happy you enjoyed the flavor of this recipe, I am sorry the timing was off for you. My recipes include prep time and time to come to pressure and pressure to release. While the prep time will vary based upon your level of speed in the kitchen, the time it takes to come to pressure should not have been 30 minutes--at most 10 minutes. I am sorry you experienced this.
Kim
I made this last night, my husband had thirds! I think next time I’m going to increase the amount of sausage to 1 1/2 of the Kielbasa ropes!
Kristen Chidsey
Whenever my husband has thirds, we know it is a keeper! So happy you both enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Paula Porter
I made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! It was super fast to make. The longest time was chopping the onions. I used 2 cans of whole green beans and russet potatoes with beef smoked sausage. Who knew the instant pot could even make canned green beans taste good?! We were left wanting more, which means double the recipe next time. I used store-bought Cajun seasoning because I'm lazy like that. Super quick and super good for a work night dinner!
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear you enjoyed Paula!
Deborah Troop
I love this recipe. I have made several times and changing up the seasoning mix several times. I also tried it with fresh green beans but prefer the ease of canned green beans. If you need quick and easy this is best.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks, Deborah! I love hearing you enjoy!