Here’s a cozy, Southern-style classic: Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes — an easy, hearty one-pot meal perfect for busy days, using simple pantry staples. The smoky ham flavors the broth, the green beans stay tender-crisp, and the potatoes soak up all that savory goodness.
🥘 Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
🕒 Cook Time: 6–8 hours on LOW | 3–4 hours on HIGH
🧾 Ingredients
-
1½ lbs ham (leftover ham, smoked ham steak, or ham hock), cubed or chopped
-
1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed (or use frozen, not canned)
-
1½ lbs baby potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes, halved or quartered
-
1 small onion, diced
-
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
½ tsp paprika (optional)
-
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
-
3 cups chicken broth or water (enough to barely cover contents)
-
1 tbsp butter (optional, for added richness)
🧑🍳 Instructions
🔹 Step 1: Layer Ingredients
-
Add onion and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
-
Layer in the ham, potatoes, and green beans.
-
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and any optional spices.
-
Pour in the broth or water until contents are just covered (you don’t need to submerge everything).
🔹 Step 2: Cook
-
Cover and cook on:
-
LOW for 6–8 hours, or
-
HIGH for 3–4 hours,
until potatoes are fork-tender and green beans are soft but not mushy.
-
🔹 Step 3: Finish & Serve
-
Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
-
Add a pat of butter before serving for extra richness (optional).
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
-
Serve with cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread to soak up the broth.
-
A splash of hot sauce or vinegar at the table adds Southern flair.
🔁 Tips & Variations
-
Using a ham bone or hock? Simmer it with the broth for deeper flavor, then remove and shred the meat before serving.
-
Add carrots for sweetness, or swap baby potatoes for red-skinned or russets.
-
Low-sodium diet? Use reduced-sodium broth and rinse ham to reduce saltiness.