Instant Pot Sausage and Potatoes Recipe for Quick Weeknight Meals

Tender potatoes paired with chunks of smoked sausage, onions, and green beans make for a comforting, classic meal the whole family can enjoy.

This Instant Pot Sausage and Potatoes recipe brings fresh, savory flavors together for a timeless, easy dinner ready in under 30 minutes.

If you like this dish, try roasted Smoked Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans or Kielbasa and Potatoes in the Oven for other ways to enjoy similar flavors.

Old-Fashioned Sausage and Potatoes With Green Beans

This old-fashioned meal is a family favorite year-round. Using an electric pressure cooker reduces the time dramatically compared to a slow cooker or stovetop, delivering tender potatoes and perfectly warmed sausage quickly.

We usually keep potatoes, kielbasa, and frozen Italian green beans on hand so this dinner can come together anytime. Fresh garden green beans and new potatoes also work beautifully when they’re in season.

We raise pigs on our farm, so we use a basic smoked sausage most often, but feel free to substitute your preferred variety. Pre-cooked sausage is convenient—check the package to confirm it’s fully cooked.

Growing food with my kids is a joy; fresh green beans from the garden are especially good in this recipe. Whether purchased or homegrown, using farm-raised ingredients supports families who produce our food.

Ingredients Needed

• Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa – cut into 1–3″ chunks.
• Potatoes – Yukon Gold are convenient because they’re often pre-washed and have thin skins that don’t require peeling.
• Green Beans – use fresh or frozen. Avoid canned beans; they become too soft under pressure. Thicker Italian-style frozen beans hold up well.
• Onion – cut into coarse chunks so they hold up during cooking.
• Minced Garlic
• Vegetable Oil – olive oil or another neutral oil works to brown the sausage.
• Chicken Broth – adds flavor to the potatoes. Water works if needed, but broth is preferred.
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Flavorful Sausage, Green Beans & Potatoes in a Pressure Cooker

Sautéing the onions and garlic in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking elevates the dish—those golden, slightly caramelized aromatics make a big difference. Adding chicken broth contributes extra depth of flavor.

Browning the sausage first is optional but recommended if you have time: browning adds flavor. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip that step and still have a tasty meal.

Sauté the onions and garlic until soft with a golden tint, add the remaining ingredients, then pressure cook for two minutes for tender potatoes and beans.

We’ve tested variants in slow cookers, pressure cookers, and with sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a nice fall alternative if you want a slightly different flavor and texture.

How to Cook Sausage and Potatoes in an Instant Pot

Check the sausage packaging—most smoked sausage is pre-cooked and only needs to be browned or heated. If using raw ground sausage, cook it on the sauté setting until no pink remains before proceeding.

Remove cooked meat, add bite-sized potato pieces, then return the sausage on top of the potatoes. Seal the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for two minutes, then perform a quick release and serve immediately.

For more Instant Pot sausage recipes, try versions with peppers and onions or sauerkraut for different, flavorful meals.

How to Make Sausage, Green Beans and Potatoes in the Instant Pot

1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add oil.

2. Sauté the sausage until lightly browned. Remove with tongs and set aside.

3. Sauté the onions and garlic in the remaining oil until softened and golden.

4. Add chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pot so nothing is stuck to the bottom. This helps avoid a burn warning.

5. Add a layer of cut potatoes and season with salt and pepper.

6. Add a layer of green beans.

7. Top with the browned sausage.

8. Seal and pressure cook for two minutes, then quick release. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–4 days.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Brown the sausage if you have time—browning adds flavor.
• Cut sausage into larger chunks if you prefer; they’re easier to brown and handle.
• Onions, garlic, and chicken broth add depth. Water will work in a pinch, but broth improves the flavor.
• Use only fresh or frozen green beans—canned beans become too soft under pressure.
• Appliances vary; test cooking times with your equipment and adjust as needed.

Other Delicious Recipes with Sausage

• Everything Bagel and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• Fiesta Sausage Dip
• Easy Egg & Sausage Casserole
• Best Taco Meatloaf
• Sauerkraut Soup with Sausage
• Sausage Bubble Up Casserole
• Smoked Sausage & Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Instant Pot Sauerkraut, Sausage & Potatoes