Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes

My Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes are a southern comfort food.  Bursting with bacon flavor, this easy side dish cooks up right in your pressure cooker in no time at all.

When I was growing up one of my grandmother’s staple sides to go with just about any southern food dinner was green beans and potatoes. I took her recipe and brought it to the Instant Pot.

I love that when I make these green beans and potatoes in the Instant Pot it really brings a deeper flavor. The pressure cooking allows the potatoes to soak up more of the broth and seasonings which gives them a deeper flavor when you bite into the tender potatoes. 

If you never had southern style green beans, allow me to share a little secret with you. Southern style green beans are never crunchy.  If you hand a southern a crunchy green bean they will look at you like you have two heads.  Southern style green beans are always soft and tender but not mushy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes?

Can I use a Different Meat Instead of Bacon?

Absolutely, you can!  Ham, Ham hocks, smoked turkey wings or neck bones, all make a great addition to these green beans and potatoes instead of bacon…if you want to use something different. I’ve even used smoked sausage or andouille sausage instead of bacon when I really wanted to change the flavors up a bit.

My family loves these green potatoes and potatoes no matter which protein choice I used; however, we are bacon people, so I try to stick with that.

Can I use Frozen Green Beans?

Yes and no.  You can use frozen green beans if you really want to use them or you can’t find fresh ones. However, it will change the texture of your finished green beans and fresh really works best in this Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes.

What kind of potatoes can I use?

Well in this case any type of potato will work in this recipe.  There are some differences in potatoes for texture and taste for me, I really prefer the creamy texture of red potatoes.  Here are some other potato suggestions that will work well in this recipe. 

• Yukon Gold 
• New 
• Fingerlings
• Russet 

Can I make this Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes ahead of time?

Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes is a perfect side dish to make ahead. It reheats well, and holds its flavor so it’s great to make a day ahead. As a side note though do not freeze this side dish.  The potatoes do not hold up well in the freezer. 

If you’re storing in the fridge, it will keep up to 5 days. I always love having a little left overs, so it’s perfect for me.

Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes 

• 8 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
• ¾ cup chicken stock
• 2 pounds red potatoes, quartered
• 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, ends removed
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

How To Make 

Set Instant Pot to Saute and place bacon inside. Cook bacon until crisp, then remove bacon from Instant Pot leaving grease in the bottom of the pot.

Turn off Instant Pot and add chicken stock. Using a spatula, deglaze the pot by scraping off stuck-on bacon pieces from the bottom of the pot.

Add potatoes and green beans. Season with parsley, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and coat ingredients with stock and bacon grease.

Place lid on Instant Pot and seal vent. Set the pot to pressure cook for 6 minutes.

When cooking time is up, do a quick release and remove the lid. Add bacon and stir to combine.

Cooking Tips

• You can swap out ham shanks, or diced ham, or ham hocks if you like, though that will change the flavor slightly.
• Don’t like chunks of meat in your green beans? Use one teaspoon of bacon grease to give the meat flavor without having pieces of meat.
• If you want more of a smoky flavor with this recipe, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke.

Weight Watchers SmartPoints

This is one those fabulous side dishes that you can add great piece of lean protein, such as chicken cutlet, turkey cutlet, or fish. You also get about a 1 cup serving. The SmartPoints you see include the delicious bacon. If you want less points, then you can reduce the potatoes or leave out the bacon. However, it’s all about balance!

More Instant Pot Recipes

Here are some more fabulous Instant Pot recipes that I feel you love making, and add to your recipe rolodex!

• Instant Pot Lime Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
• Instant Pot Sous Vide Parmesan Potatoes Hack
• Easy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
• Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea
• The Easiest Instant Pot Hummus to Make
• The Easiest Instant Pot BBQ Chicken