Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans

4.93 from 154 votes
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Made with only 6 ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, this recipe for Instant Pot Smoked Sausage with Potatoes is the definition of a fast and comforting family dinner! With hearty sausage, tender potatoes, and soft greens beans, this humble recipe delivers flavor fast.

White Bowl with Smoked Sausage and Potatoes and Green Beans next to instant pot

Kielbasa and Potatoes Made Fast!

This recipe for Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes was inspired by a childhood favorite--kielbasa and potatoes.

This humble dish, rooted in Polish tradition, was something my grandparents often made. Smoked sausage, potatoes, and green beans were simmered in a rich broth until everything was tender and full of flavor. It was simple, hearty, and incredibly comforting.

I've taken that same recipe and sped up the process using the Instant Pot. Now, instead of hours, this one-pot meal is on the table in less than 20 minutes--and it's just as comforting and delicious as the original!

Happy Cooking! xo Kristen

Notes on Ingredients

Red potatoes, green beans, smoked sausage, cajun seasoning, and chicken stock on white counter
  • Smoked Sausage: Use any variety of smoked sausage or kielbasa you like. I even love using smoked chicken sausage to make this quick dinner.
  • Potatoes: Russet, red, or Yukon Gold potatoes all work well. There is no need to peel the potatoes. Simply scrub and chop.
  • Green Beans: To keep the recipe super simple and affordable, I typically make this recipe using canned green beans, just as my grandparents did. However, you can opt to use fresh trimmed green beans if you like.
  • Chicken Stock: Use low-sodium store-bought chicken broth or stock to control the level of sodium. (Homemade chicken stock or Instant Pot chicken stock are both great options.)
  • Cajun Seasoning: For added flavor that pairs well with the kielbasa use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning.
  • Onions: Adding a white or yellow onion adds additional flavor, but are optional. Feel free to omit them if desired or if you don't have them on hand.

How to Make Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Sauté Sausage with Onion. Sauté the kielbasa and onions in a bit of oil using the sauté function for 2-3 minutes or until the sausage begins to get crispy and browned and the onion softens.
Smoked Sausage sauteing in instant pot
  1. Deglaze Inner Pot. Add in the stock and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot. This is a crucial step to preventing a burn notice.
Chicken Stock and Smoked Sausage in Inner pot
  1. Layer Ingredients. Add potatoes, Cajun seasoning, and drained green beans on top of the sausage.
Sausage, Potatoes, and Green Beans layered in instant pot
  1. Pressure Cook. 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 the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes before doing a quick release of pressure.
  2. Serve. Open up the pressure cooker, give everything a stir, and serve.
Instant Pot Potatoes with Smoked Sausage and Green Beans in white bowl

Recipe Modifications

  • Make it EVEN Quicker! 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 unnecessary.
  • Lower the Sodium. To control the level of sodium, use low-sodium broth or stock, rinse the canned green beans or use no-salt-added canned beans, and omit the salt.
  • Tame the Spice. Replace the Cajun seasoning with seasoned salt and use mild smoked sausage.
  • Use Ham: Replace the sliced sausage with 2-3 cups of diced ham to make a dish reminiscent of Crockpot Potatoes with Green Beans and Ham.
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4.93 from 154 votes

Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans

Servings: 6
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes
Pressure Time: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Green Beans in white bowl
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! 

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced onion, optional
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock *for 3 or 6-quart model
  • cups low sodium chicken stock *for 8-quart model
  • 2 pounds potatoes, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 32 ounces canned green beans, drained

Instructions 

  • Turn Instant Pot to saute, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and allow to heat up for a minute or two.
  • Once heated, add in the 1 tablespoon minced onion and 1 pound smoked sausage (sliced). Saute for 2-3 minutes, or until the sausage begins to be brown and the onions soften. Turn the Instant Pot OFF by hitting cancel.
  • Add in 1 cup low sodium chicken stock *for 3 or 6-quart model OR 1½ cups low sodium chicken stock *for 8-quart model and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot.
  • Add 2 pounds potatoes (cubed) on top of the sausage and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Add 32 ounces canned green beans (drained) 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.

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 minutes 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, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ 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. 
Green Beans: By all means, use fresh trimmed green beans in place of the canned beans if that is what you prefer. 
Speed it up: Instead of sauteeing the sausage and onions, simply layer the potatoes, onions, cajun seasoning, sliced sausage, and green beans in that order in the inner pot. Pour in the chicken broth and cook for 2 minutes on high pressure with a 5-minute natural pressure release. 

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 17gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 723mgPotassium: 1136mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1207IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!

About Kristen Chidsey

Kristen is a wife, busy mom of two, and creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. From breakfast to dinner to dessert, it is her passion to share tried-and-true recipes that are big on flavor, made with easy-to-find ingredients, and family-approved!

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286 Comments

  1. I am making this tonight - So far I have made your meatloaf and pot roast and both my family went nuts over. I am so glad I found your website.

    1. I am so glad you have found my site as well Melissa! I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as they loved the meatloaf and pot roast!

      1. Especially these days, it is a great idea and a financial stress-free idea. Thank you. Looking forward to more great ideas.

    1. Love this!! Great recipe I was so hesitant about the potatoes cooking in such little time but they did! Also love that you added the note for 8qt I had such a hard time with my instant pot at first with burn warnings because I didn’t realize most recipes were heard towards 6qt. Thank you for a great recipe

      1. Glad you enjoyed Jenn! And I always try to make notes for an 8 quart model, as like you said, they are not the same as a 6 quart!

  2. My family loves canned green beans. But I have to really cook them in some stock to get rid of that “canned” flavor, if you know what I mean.
    With this being such a short cook time, which I love – I am concerned that it will not give the beans enough time to absorb the flavor in the steam and they will come out tasting as if I heated them in the microwave from the can. Thoughts?

    1. Hi Ashley! I do find that the green beans take on the flavor of the kielbasa and cajun seasoning, but not quite as much as if they simmered for hours. I think it would be worth a try though. My son HATES canned green beans and he does like this. Another option would be to cook the green beans separately and add after cook time or use fresh/frozen green beans.

  3. I would think the potatoes would have a enhanced flavor if you stirred them into the meat mixture. Any thoughts on this.

    1. Hi Sue, you certainly can, but I find that the potatoes absorb the flavor from the steam the instant pot generates.

  4. Could I add shrimp to this recipe to make it more of a seafood boil? Would the cook time probably stay the same without overcooking the shrimp?

    1. I would add frozen jumbo or large shrimp on top of the potatoes and you should be good 🙂 Enjoy!