Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes: A Hearty One-Pot Meal
Looking for an easy, comforting meal that requires minimal prep work but delivers maximum flavor? Crockpot ham, green beans, and potatoes is a perfect one-pot dish that brings together tender ham, earthy potatoes, and fresh green beans in a deliciously seasoned broth. This slow-cooker recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, family dinners, or even casual gatherings. The best part? It only requires a few simple ingredients and your trusty crockpot to create a filling and wholesome meal.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to make this crockpot ham, green beans, and potatoes recipe, including detailed instructions, helpful tips, and an FAQ section to ensure you get the best results every time. Let’s dive into this ultimate comfort food dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is not only easy to prepare but is also packed with flavors from fresh herbs, tender ham, and seasonal vegetables. The combination of savory ham with hearty potatoes and green beans makes it an ideal choice for a full meal in one pot. Plus, cooking everything in the crockpot means you can set it, forget it, and come back to a ready-to-serve meal. Whether you’re looking for a cozy dinner or a simple solution for meal prep, this dish has you covered.
Benefits of Cooking in the Crockpot
- Hands-off cooking: Once you assemble the ingredients, the crockpot does all the work. Just turn it on, and let it simmer to perfection.
- Tender, flavorful results: The slow-cooking process ensures the ham, potatoes, and green beans absorb the flavors of the broth and spices, resulting in a tender, flavorful dish.
- Minimal cleanup: Since everything cooks in one pot, cleanup is a breeze!
Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless ham, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Begin by prepping your ingredients. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the ham into bite-sized pieces. Trim the green beans and halve or quarter the baby potatoes, depending on their size. Prepping everything before you start will make the process quicker and smoother.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Crockpot
Once your ingredients are prepped, add the ham, green beans, potatoes, onion, and garlic to your crockpot. Arrange everything evenly so that all the ingredients are well distributed for even cooking.
Step 3: Season the Ingredients
In a small bowl, mix together the dried thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and black pepper. These herbs and spices will add a warm, earthy flavor to the dish. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the ingredients in the crockpot, ensuring all the vegetables and ham are well coated.
Step 4: Pour in the Broth
Next, pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the ingredients. The broth will create steam inside the crockpot, helping the vegetables and ham cook through while also infusing them with flavor.
Step 5: Set the Crockpot
Now that everything is in the crockpot, cover it with the lid. Set the crockpot to low and cook for 6-8 hours or set it to high and cook for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will depend on your preference for how tender you want the potatoes and green beans to be.
Step 6: Check for Doneness
After the cooking time has passed, check to ensure the potatoes are fork-tender, and the green beans have softened. If needed, let the dish cook a little longer until the vegetables reach your desired texture.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Once done, give the dish a good stir and serve it hot. This meal is delicious as is, but you can pair it with crusty bread or a side salad for a more complete dinner. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Choose the Right Potatoes
Baby potatoes are recommended for this recipe because they hold their shape well during slow cooking and provide a creamy, buttery texture. If you don’t have baby potatoes, you can substitute them with Yukon gold or red potatoes, but be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Use Fresh Green Beans
Fresh green beans give this dish a vibrant color and a crisp-tender texture. If you use frozen green beans, there’s no need to defrost them beforehand, but keep in mind that they may cook faster than fresh beans.
Add Extra Flavor
If you want to elevate the flavor, you can add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or a splash of balsamic vinegar to the broth. These ingredients add a nice tang that complements the savory ham and vegetables.
Broth Options
This recipe calls for chicken or vegetable broth, but you can also use ham broth if you want an even more robust flavor. Make sure to adjust the salt level if you’re using a broth with added sodium.
Adjusting Cooking Times
The cooking time can be adjusted based on how soft you want the vegetables. For a firmer texture, stick to the shorter end of the cooking time. For softer, melt-in-your-mouth veggies, let the dish cook a bit longer.
FAQ: Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Can I Use Leftover Ham for This Recipe?
Yes! This recipe is a great way to use leftover ham from holidays or family gatherings. Simply cut the leftover ham into bite-sized pieces and add it to the crockpot. Just make sure the ham hasn’t been overcooked beforehand to avoid it becoming dry during the slow cooking process.
Can I Use Canned Green Beans?
While fresh green beans are recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can substitute canned green beans if needed. If you’re using canned green beans, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Can I Make This Recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this dish in an Instant Pot. To do so, use the sauté function to cook the onions and garlic for a few minutes, then add the ham, potatoes, green beans, seasoning, and broth. Set the Instant Pot to manual pressure cook for 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Allow for a natural release of pressure before serving.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or warm the entire dish in a pot over low heat. Keep in mind that the vegetables may soften further when reheated.
Can I Freeze Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Allow the food to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
Crockpot ham, green beans, and potatoes is a simple, satisfying dish that delivers a hearty meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a meal to feed a crowd, this recipe checks all the boxes. The combination of savory ham, tender potatoes, and flavorful green beans is a classic that never goes out of style. Best of all, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it dish that frees you up to take care of other things while your dinner cooks itself!