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Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes – An Easy and Hearty Crockpot Dinner
There is something special about a meal that can be prepared with simple ingredients, left to cook slowly, and then served as a warm and comforting dinner at the end of the day. Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes is exactly that kind of recipe. It combines tender potatoes, smoky pieces of ham, fresh green beans, onions, garlic, and a flavorful broth in one convenient crockpot meal.
This recipe is especially useful when you want homemade comfort food without spending a long time standing in the kitchen. Most of the work involves preparing the vegetables and adding everything to the slow cooker. After that, the crockpot does the majority of the cooking.
The result is a rustic, filling meal with tender vegetables and savory ham in a light, flavorful broth. It works well for a family dinner, a relaxed weekend meal, or as a practical way to use leftover cooked ham.
Why This Slow Cooker Recipe Works So Well
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. Ham, potatoes, and green beans are familiar ingredients, but slow cooking allows their flavors to blend together over several hours.
As the potatoes cook, they absorb some of the seasoned chicken broth and the flavor released by the ham. The green beans become tender while still adding texture to the dish, and the onion and garlic create a savory base.
Ham is already full of flavor, which means this recipe does not require a complicated seasoning mixture. Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper are enough to complement the main ingredients without overpowering them.
Another advantage is that everything cooks in one pot. That means less preparation, fewer dishes to wash, and an easy dinner that can be served directly from the slow cooker.
Ingredients
For approximately 6 servings, you will need:
- 2 pounds (about 900 g) potatoes
- 1½ pounds (about 680 g) cooked ham
- 1½ pounds (about 680 g) fresh green beans
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt, as needed
You can use different types of potatoes depending on what you have available. Yukon Gold potatoes are particularly good because they have a creamy texture and generally hold their shape well during slow cooking. Red potatoes are another excellent option.
If using larger potatoes, peel them if desired and cut them into similar-sized chunks. Keeping the pieces relatively uniform helps them cook at approximately the same rate.
Choosing the Ham
This recipe works particularly well with fully cooked ham. You can use leftover holiday ham, a ham steak, or another thick-cut cooked ham.
Cut the ham into generous bite-sized cubes rather than very small pieces. Larger pieces remain juicy and give the finished dish a satisfying texture.
Because ham can contain quite a bit of salt, avoid adding a large amount of additional salt at the beginning of the recipe. The chicken broth can also contribute saltiness.
It is better to cook everything first, taste the finished broth, and then decide whether additional salt is necessary.
If possible, choosing a lower-sodium chicken broth gives you more control over the final seasoning.
Preparing the Green Beans
Fresh green beans work beautifully in this crockpot recipe. Wash them thoroughly, trim the ends, and leave them whole or cut particularly long beans in half.
Slow-cooked green beans will naturally become softer than steamed or quickly sautéed green beans. That softer texture is part of the traditional comfort-food character of this dish.
If you prefer firmer green beans, you can add them later in the cooking process rather than at the very beginning.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes
Start by washing and preparing all of your vegetables. Peel the potatoes if desired and cut them into medium-sized chunks. Trim the green beans, dice the onion, and finely mince the garlic.
Place the potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Because potatoes require plenty of cooking time, keeping them closer to the bottom and cooking liquid helps them become tender.
Add the green beans, diced onion, and minced garlic. Arrange the pieces of cooked ham over the vegetables.
Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper evenly over everything.
Pour approximately two cups of chicken broth into the slow cooker. The ingredients do not have to be completely submerged. During cooking, the vegetables and ham will release additional moisture.
Finally, place the butter over the ingredients.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for approximately 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Slow cookers vary, so use these times as a guide rather than an absolute rule. The meal is ready when the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and the green beans have reached your preferred tenderness.
Once everything is cooked, gently stir the ingredients so the seasoned broth coats the potatoes, ham, and beans.
Taste the broth before adding any salt.
The Secret to Better Flavor
Although this is a very simple recipe, a few small details can improve the finished meal.
First, avoid cutting the potatoes too small. Tiny potato pieces can become overly soft after several hours in the slow cooker. Medium chunks usually provide a better final texture.
Second, use a flavorful cooked ham. The ham provides much of the smoky, savory character of the recipe, so its flavor makes a noticeable difference.
Smoked paprika adds another subtle layer of smokiness without making the recipe spicy. If you prefer a more traditional flavor, regular paprika can be used instead.
Butter is another simple addition that makes the broth taste richer and gives the potatoes and green beans a more comforting finish.
Can You Use Leftover Ham?
Absolutely. In fact, this is an excellent recipe for leftover ham.
After a holiday dinner or large family meal, it is common to have several portions of cooked ham remaining. Instead of simply reheating the same meal, the ham can be transformed into a completely different crockpot dinner.
Cut the leftover ham into cubes and store it properly in the refrigerator until you are ready to prepare the recipe.
Because the ham is already cooked, the slow cooker is primarily warming it while allowing its flavor to season the vegetables and broth.
What to Serve With Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes
One reason this recipe is so convenient is that it can easily be served as a complete meal. You already have protein from the ham, vegetables from the green beans, and a satisfying carbohydrate from the potatoes.
However, a few simple sides can make the meal feel even more complete.
Warm dinner rolls, biscuits, cornbread, or crusty bread are particularly good because they can be used to soak up the flavorful broth at the bottom of the bowl.
A simple fresh salad can also provide a crisp contrast to the tender slow-cooked ingredients.
For a richer dinner, you could serve the dish with homemade bread and finish the meal with a simple fruit-based dessert.
Recipe Variations
This crockpot recipe is easy to customize.
For additional vegetables, carrots can be added with the potatoes. Mushrooms can also contribute an earthy flavor, while celery adds another savory element to the broth.
If you enjoy stronger garlic flavor, increase the amount of fresh garlic.
A small amount of dried thyme or Italian seasoning can also be added. However, it is best to keep the seasoning relatively simple so the flavor of the ham remains prominent.
For a slightly richer broth, you can replace a portion of the chicken broth with a small amount of cream near the end of cooking. Add dairy toward the end rather than cooking it for the entire six or seven hours.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store the ham, potatoes, green beans, and broth together in the refrigerator. When reheating, adding a small splash of chicken broth can help restore moisture.
Leftovers can be reheated gently in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave until thoroughly hot.
The flavors may actually become more developed after the ingredients have spent some time together, making this a convenient option for meal preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cook the ham before putting it in the crockpot?
This recipe is designed for fully cooked ham. The slow cooker heats the ham and allows its flavor to combine with the vegetables and broth.
Should the potatoes be peeled?
Peeling is optional. Thin-skinned varieties such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes can simply be washed thoroughly and cut into chunks.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, although their final texture may be softer than fresh green beans. Because frozen vegetables generally need less cooking time, consider adding them later in the cooking process.
Why are my potatoes still hard?
Potatoes may need additional cooking time depending on their variety, the size of the pieces, and your particular slow cooker. Make sure they are cut into manageable chunks and positioned where they can cook with the hot liquid.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare many of the ingredients ahead of time. The onion, green beans, and ham can be cut and refrigerated separately until you are ready to cook.
A Simple Crockpot Meal for Busy Days
Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes proves that a satisfying homemade dinner does not need a long ingredient list or complicated cooking techniques.
The combination of smoky ham, tender potatoes, green beans, onion, garlic, butter, and seasoned broth creates the kind of comforting meal that works especially well when you want something warm and filling.
It is also flexible enough to adapt to what you already have in your kitchen. Leftover ham can be used, seasonings can be adjusted, and additional vegetables can easily be incorporated.
Best of all, once everything is inside the slow cooker, there is very little work left to do.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy easy crockpot dinners, Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes is a useful recipe to keep in your collection. It uses everyday ingredients, requires minimal hands-on preparation, and produces a hearty one-pot meal suitable for both weeknight dinners and relaxed family meals.
Serve it hot with some of the savory broth spooned over each portion and add warm bread on the side if desired. Simple, comforting, and practical, it is exactly the type of slow cooker recipe that can make dinner easier on a busy day.
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