My husband had come down with one of those stubborn colds—the kind that makes a person curl up under every blanket in the house and still feel a chill. He didn’t have much of an appetite, but I knew he’d need something warm, filling, and easy to eat. Nothing fancy. Just something that tasted like home.
I stood in the kitchen, scanning the fridge and pantry, and landed on what I already had: a few baking potatoes, fresh green beans I’d picked up two days earlier, and a thick slab of ham left over from Sunday dinner. It didn’t take long to decide. This was going to be a slow cooker day—the kind where you toss everything in, let time do its thing, and let the scent slowly wrap around the house like a blanket.
As the hours passed, the kitchen filled with the savory aroma of simmering ham and vegetables. By lunchtime, he came shuffling out from the bedroom, drawn in by the smell. “Smells like something my mom would make,” he murmured, half-asleep, as I handed him a bowl. He finished every bite.
That afternoon, I didn’t need any fancy recipe or hours at the stove. I just needed a few ingredients, a slow cooker, and a little intention. And now, I’m passing that same comfort along to you.
Short Description
This Crockpot Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes recipe is a simple, comforting one-pot dish made with tender ham, hearty potatoes, fresh green beans, and a touch of onion—all slow-cooked to perfection for a warm, satisfying meal.
Key Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
- 2 lbs cooked ham, diced
- 4 baking potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cups water
- Black pepper, to taste
Tools Needed
- Crockpot or slow cooker (6-quart recommended)
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cup
- Mixing spoon
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Dice the ham into bite-sized pieces. Peel and dice the potatoes (aim for even pieces for uniform cooking). Dice the onion and trim the green beans.
Step 2: Layer in the Crockpot
Add the diced ham, potatoes, green beans, and onion to the crockpot. Pour in 3 cups of water and season generously with black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to low for 6 hours. Avoid opening the lid while cooking, as that will release the built-up heat and slow down the process.
Step 4: Check for Doneness
After 6 hours, the potatoes should be fork-tender, the green beans soft but still holding their shape, and the ham warm and flavorful. If needed, cook an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Serve Warm
Gently stir everything together before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—depending on the ham’s saltiness, you may not need any added salt.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– Hearty, wholesome comfort food with minimal prep
– One-pot convenience—perfect for busy days
– Naturally gluten-free and high in protein
– Great for batch cooking and leftovers
– Family-friendly flavor that even picky eaters enjoy
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
1. Using overly salty ham:
Some store-bought hams are salt bombs. Opt for low-sodium ham if possible. If it’s already salty, reduce added seasoning or add an extra potato to balance it.
2. Cutting potatoes too small:
Tiny pieces break down and become mushy. Aim for 1-inch cubes for the perfect bite.
3. Overcrowding the crockpot:
If your crockpot is smaller than 6 quarts, reduce the ingredient quantities to prevent uneven cooking.
4. Under-seasoning:
While ham adds saltiness, don’t forget to taste and adjust with pepper or a dash of garlic powder before serving.
5. Adding water excessively:
Stick to 3 cups. More than that and you’ll end up with soup instead of a stew-style dish.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve it as a main course for dinner or lunch. It pairs beautifully with:
– A slice of cornbread or a crusty baguette
– A fresh green salad with vinaigrette for balance
– A light, tangy coleslaw to contrast the richness
For gatherings, serve this dish family-style straight from the crockpot or transfer it to a large serving bowl for buffet-style spreads.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings, covered, for 2–3 minutes. Add a splash of water if it looks too dry.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned green beans instead of fresh?
Fresh is best for texture, but canned will work in a pinch—just reduce cook time by 1–2 hours and add them halfway through to avoid mushiness.
2. Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Carrots, celery, or even parsnips make great additions. Dice them to a similar size as the potatoes for even cooking.
3. What type of ham should I use?
Fully cooked ham steaks or leftover holiday ham work well. Avoid overly processed deli ham for best results.
4. Is it okay to cook this on high instead of low?
You can cook it on high for about 3–4 hours, but the low-and-slow method delivers a better flavor and texture blend.
5. Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Replace ham with smoked tofu or chickpeas and add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to maintain that savory depth.
Tips & Tricks
– Stir once halfway through cooking if you’re nearby—it helps the flavors blend more evenly.
– Add a bay leaf during cooking for a subtle earthy note.
– A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or a dollop of sour cream can give it a loaded-potato twist.
– Keep the potato skins on for extra fiber and texture (just scrub them well first).
– If your green beans are especially thick, cut them in half to help them cook evenly.
Recipe Variations
1. Smoky Sausage Swap
Replace ham with sliced smoked sausage. Slice into ½-inch rounds and follow the same steps. The smoky flavor is more pronounced, and it gives a slightly spicier bite.
2. Southern-Inspired Style
Add 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and swap one cup of water for low-sodium chicken broth. Toss in 1 cup of corn kernels in the last hour of cooking.
3. Creamy Comfort Version
After the dish is cooked, stir in ½ cup of sour cream and ¼ cup of shredded cheddar. It transforms the dish into a creamy, cheesy stew.
4. Spicy Twist
Add 1 diced jalapeño and a pinch of red pepper flakes to the crockpot at the beginning for a spicy upgrade.
5. Vegetarian Herb Version
Use cannellini beans instead of ham, veggie broth instead of water, and add rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Final Thoughts
Some meals speak louder than words. That day, while my husband was bundled up and barely talking, a warm bowl of this crockpot ham, green beans, and potatoes said everything I wanted. It’s not a complicated recipe, and that’s exactly its strength—it’s dependable, comforting, and quietly nourishing.
I’ve since added it to our regular rotation, not just for sick days, but for evenings when life feels heavy and we need something grounding. It reminds me that a home-cooked meal doesn’t need to be fancy to be powerful. Sometimes, a slow-cooked dish and a little time together are all we really need.
Crockpot Ham, Green Beans And Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans trimmed and washed
- 2 lbs cooked ham diced
- 4 baking potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cups water
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dice the ham into bite-sized pieces. Peel and dice the potatoes (aim for even pieces for uniform cooking). Dice the onion and trim the green beans.
- Add the diced ham, potatoes, green beans, and onion to the crockpot. Pour in 3 cups of water and season generously with black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to low for 6 hours. Avoid opening the lid while cooking, as that will release the built-up heat and slow down the process.
- After 6 hours, the potatoes should be fork-tender, the green beans soft but still holding their shape, and the ham warm and flavorful. If needed, cook an additional 30 minutes.
- Gently stir everything together before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—depending on the ham's saltiness, you may not need any added salt.
