Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers

Instant Pot Italian sausage and peppers is a quick & easy recipe. The Italian flavors of garlic & basil add to the great flavor combination. The juicy Italian sausage and aromatic sauce is a 30-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights.

With just a few ingredients and a few easy steps, dinner is ready.  This keto-friendly Instant Pot sausage, peppers, and onions recipe works with more than just Italian hot or sweet sausage but is just as good with brats (bratwurst), chicken sausage, linguica, or your favorite link sausage. 

They are great for sandwiches or as is for the best low-carb or gluten-free meal. Serve this on a toasted roll, bun, or ciabatta. It is also wonderful with other delicious Italian recipes like cheesy baked Pasta al Forno, a bowl of Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup, or fun little Caprese Sliders.

Jump to:

• Ingredients for Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers
• How to Cook Sausage and Peppers in the Instant Pot
• How Long to Set the Instant Pot
• Storing Leftovers
• More Instant Pot Recipes:
• Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers

Ingredients for Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

For this electric pressure cooker method of cooking Italian sausage and peppers, you will need some classic ingredients.  Start with your favorite sweet, hot, or a bit of both, Italian sausage links.  You will want 1-2 per person based on how you will be serving these and how big of appetites you are feeding. 

If you have never had Italian link sausage, it is a flavored pork sausage. It typically has garlic and a little fennel, for a subtle anise or licorice flavor. They come in sweet or spicy, with the addition of red pepper flakes.

The other fresh ingredients needed are 2 sweet bell peppers, any color, ½ an onion, and garlic. Plus additional spices & canned tomatoes to make the sauce this will cook in.

• Olive Oil
• Mild or Hot Italian Sausage Links
• Onion
• Bell Peppers
• Canned Diced Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Dried Basil
• Salt & Pepper to taste

See the recipe card for amounts and full instructions.

How to Cook Sausage and Peppers in the Instant Pot

There are only a few quick steps for making sausage and peppers in any electric pressure cooker. I have a 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo & love it. Here are the steps for this recipe:

• Prep the vegetables
• Brown the Italian sausage
• Add remaining ingredients
• Pressure-cooking sausage & peppers
• Natural release

Prep the Vegetables

To ensure these cook evenly since it is done all in one pot, you want to make sure everything cooks in the same amount of time. The key to this is making sure the slices of the peppers and onions are not too small.

You want to cut the 2 large sweet bell peppers and the ½ of onion into large chunky strips.  See the image above for a sample.  Also, dice 2 garlic cloves. Once all this is ready gather your other ingredients.

Brown the Italian Sausage

Place the insert into the Instant Pot and select SAUTE.  This will heat the insert to very hot heat, perfect for browning the sausage links. Add the olive oil and after about a minute it should be very hot and time to add the sausage links into the hot oil in a single layer. 

Brown for about 3 minutes each before turning. Turn each twice so it browns on 3 sides minimum for a total of 9 minutes for each link.  Remove sausages to a plate and set aside.

Add Remaining Ingredients

Add the onions and let them cook in the hot oil for about 2 minutes, stirring to ensure they do not stick or burn.  Once brown add the garlic and stir.  Add water and deglaze the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the bits. You will want to make sure you do not skip this step to ensure that you do not get a burn warning.

Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL.  This will stop the saute step.  To the onions and garlic, add the bell pepper slices.  On top of that line the sausage in a single layer over the vegetables.

Pressure Cooking Sausage & Peppers

Next, add the full can of diced tomatoes including the liquid.  For the last step, add the basil, salt, and pepper.  Add the red pepper flakes at this time if you choose this optional ingredient for additional heat and spice for the sausage and peppers.

How Long to Set the Instant Pot

Once everything is in the Instant Pot, lock the lid in place and be sure the vent valve is closed and sealed.  Select MANUAL and press the up/down buttons to set it for 3 minutes.

It will take about 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come under pressure. Then it will cook for 3 minutes. Once it is done cooking let the electric pressure cooker naturally release for 5 minutes.

Once the 5 minutes is reached on the digital readout, CAREFULLY open the valve on the Instant Pot to release the remaining pressure. CAUTION - STEAM WILL BE HOT!  I typically do this with a wooden spoon to push the valve open from a distance.

Open the lid and serve immediately.   Use a slotted spoon if serving on rolls for a sandwich. If you want the chunky tomato sauce you a regular spoon and serve it with pasta or plain.   

Storing Leftovers

Cooked sausage and peppers can be stored in an air-tighter container in either the refrigerator for up to 5 days or 30 days in the freezer.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

Italian sausage and peppers are great as-is for a complete meal.  Serve with any recipe shared below. However, many people enjoy them in a roll or bun as a sandwich, hoagie, grinder, or whatever you prefer to call them.  Add mozzarella to melt on them and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for the ultimate sandwich.

For more fantastic side dish recipe ideas, check out WHAT TO SERVE WITH SAUSAGE & PEPPERS

More Instant Pot Recipes:

• ITALIAN SHORT RIBS - Comforting short ribs braised until tender in the Instant Pot and then smothered in rich red wine gravy. An easy weeknight dinner with lots of protein, low-carb, and so delicious.
• INSTANT POT CREAMY CHICKEN SPAGHETTI - Chicken spaghetti in the Instant Pot is a quick and easy recipe. This one-pot chicken and pasta recipe is comforting and delicious.
• HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS - Fall-off-the-bone buffalo chicken wings will please any crowd. The cooking liquid secret adds so much flavor.

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