Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans is the ultimate answer to “what’s for dinner?” on busy nights! With irresistibly smoky sausage, tender potatoes, crisp green beans, and a kick of Cajun seasoning, this one-pot Southern-inspired meal captures everything you love about hearty comfort food—made lightning-fast in your Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 15 Minutes: You get a comforting homemade meal on the table faster than you can decide on takeout.
- Family-Friendly Flavors: With smoky sausage, buttery potatoes, and zesty Cajun spices, even picky eaters clean their plates.
- One-Pot Simplicity: All the magic happens right in the Instant Pot, so you’ll only have one pot to clean at the end of a long day—and who doesn’t love that?
- Make It Your Own: This recipe adapts to whatever you have—swap your favorite sausage, adjust the spice, or toss in extra veggies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans so remarkably tasty and easy: just a handful of pantry staples, each bringing their own magic—whether it’s a boost of flavor, color, or heartiness. Every ingredient plays a role, and together, they transform into happy comfort in a bowl.
- Olive Oil: Gives the sausage and onions a little sizzle and helps lock in savory flavor while sautéing.
- Minced Onion: Optional, but adds sweet aroma and depth—use fresh or dried, depending on what you’ve got!
- Smoked Sausage: The star of the show; use your favorite brand or type for that signature smoky, meaty bite.
- Low Sodium Chicken Stock: Adds rich, savory moisture for pressure cooking—stick with low sodium for control over the final saltiness.
- Potatoes: Bite-sized cubes of potatoes soak up all the juices, getting tender (not mushy!) in just two minutes.
- Cajun Seasoning: This brings a gentle, Southern-style warmth—adjust to taste for mild or spicy results.
- Canned Green Beans: A big can of drained green beans adds color and classic flavor, and they cook up just right with the rest.
Variations
If you love Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans but want to experiment, this recipe is a playground for home cooks! No matter what’s hiding in your fridge or pantry, it’s a snap to adapt for your family’s favorites and dietary needs.
- Swap the Protein: Try turkey sausage, andouille, or even kielbasa—each brings a new layer of smoky or spicy flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in carrots, sweet corn, or bell peppers along with the potatoes for extra color and nutrients.
- Make It Vegetarian: Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or smoked tofu, and use vegetable broth for an equally satisfying result.
- Bump Up the Heat: Use hot Cajun seasoning or a little cayenne if you love a spicy kick.
How to Make Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans
Step 1: Sauté Sausage and Onion
Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add olive oil and let it heat for a minute or two. Once shimmering, add the minced onion and sliced smoked sausage. Sauté everything together for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage starts to brown and those onions look soft and golden. After this step, hit cancel to turn off the sauté function.
Step 2: Deglaze the Pot
Pour in the low sodium chicken stock, and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. This not only infuses more flavor but also prevents that pesky burn notice on your Instant Pot—don’t skip it!
Step 3: Add Potatoes and Green Beans
Add your cubed potatoes right on top of the sausage, then sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over them (so every bite gets seasoned). Pour the drained canned green beans right over everything. You don’t need to stir here—the layering helps keep the flavors balanced and the potatoes perfectly cooked.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Close the lid and set the vent knob to “Sealed.” Cook on manual/high pressure for just 2 minutes—yes, really! Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release. Give everything a gentle stir and get ready to serve Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans while it’s piping hot.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans
- Choose the Right Potato: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best—they hold together and soak up flavor without turning mushy.
- Slice Sausage Evenly: Cut those sausage links on a slight diagonal for both style and even cooking—this means more browned edges, more flavor!
- Don’t Forget to Deglaze: Always scrape up the browned bits after sautéing; it deepens flavor and avoids any Instant Pot error messages (we’ve all been there).
- Customize the Spice: Cajun seasoning brands vary in salt and heat, so taste first and add more later if you like it extra zingy!
How to Serve Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of color and a little herby brightness that lifts all those rich, savory bites. For extra Southern charm, a dash of hot sauce on top delivers a personalized flavor boost.
Side Dishes
Since Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans is filling on its own, keep sides simple! A hunk of crusty bread or warm cornbread is perfect for sopping up the flavorful juices. If you want something lighter, try a crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve family-style from the Instant Pot or pile it up in wide, shallow bowls for a rustic, homey look. For gatherings, scoop portions into mini cast iron skillets or even mason jars for a fun portable twist—watch everyone light up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans keep beautifully. Just let everything cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to four days. The flavors often get even better by the next day!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze leftovers for later. Spoon cooled portions into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to two months. Just note, potatoes can soften a touch more after freezing and reheating, but flavor remains delish.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken stock if needed to loosen things up. Stir occasionally until hot throughout and enjoy Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans like it was fresh!
FAQs
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Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Definitely! Just trim and cut fresh green beans into bite-sized pieces. They may be slightly crisper than canned after pressure cooking, but will still be tender and flavorful. You don’t need to adjust the cook time.
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Which type of sausage is best for this recipe?
This recipe shines with classic smoked sausage—pork, beef, chicken, or turkey all work well. Feel free to try andouille if you want extra spice or kielbasa for a Polish twist!
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Are there gluten-free options for Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans?
Yes! Simply make sure your smoked sausage and Cajun seasoning are labeled gluten-free, and use gluten-free chicken broth. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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Can I double the recipe in my Instant Pot?
Absolutely, as long as you don’t exceed the Instant Pot’s maximum fill line. No need to adjust the pressure cook time—just make sure you layer ingredients as directed for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
If cozy flavors, effortless cleanup, and happy faces at the table are your thing, you’ll adore Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans. Give it a try on your next busy night and let this one-pot wonder bring comfort straight to your kitchen—it’s bound to become a new favorite!
Print
Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. The smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and crisp green beans are cooked together in the Instant Pot for a satisfying one-pot dish.
Ingredients
Smoked Sausage:
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
Stock:
- 1 cup low sodium chicken stock *for 3 or 6-quart model
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock *for 8-quart model
Potatoes:
- 2 pounds potatoes, cubed
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced onion (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Green Beans:
- 32 ounces canned green beans, drained
Instructions
- Saute Sausage and Onions: Turn Instant Pot to saute, add olive oil, minced onion, and smoked sausage. Saute until browned.
- Add Stock and Potatoes: Pour in chicken stock, add potatoes on top of the sausage, and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Add green beans on top.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot, seal, and pressure cook for 2 minutes on HIGH pressure.
- Release Pressure: Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release. Stir and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
