Crockpot Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes: A Cozy Southern Comfort Classic
There’s something deeply comforting about walking into your home after a long day to find dinner practically ready, with the aromatic blend of smoky ham, tender potatoes, and fresh green beans filling the air. This classic Southern dish represents everything wonderful about slow-cooking – the way it transforms simple ingredients into something truly spectacular through low and slow cooking. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to create a complete, nutritious meal with minimal effort, while delivering maximum flavor. The ham infuses everything with its rich, savory essence, while the potatoes become perfectly tender and the green beans retain just enough bite to provide a satisfying texture.
What makes this dish particularly special is its heritage in Southern American cooking, where it has been a staple of family gatherings and Sunday dinners for generations. The slow cooking process allows the ham to release its natural salts and smoky flavors, creating a natural broth that seasons everything in the pot perfectly. This is true one-pot cooking at its finest – no need for additional seasonings or complicated techniques. The potatoes absorb all the wonderful flavors while maintaining their shape, and the green beans take on a rich, hammy flavor that makes them irresistible even to vegetable skeptics.
This recipe also celebrates the practical wisdom of traditional cooking methods, where busy home cooks could put dinner in the slow cooker in the morning and return to a perfectly cooked meal in the evening. It’s budget-friendly, requires minimal prep work, and creates leftovers that taste even better the next day. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this humble yet satisfying dish proves that sometimes the simplest combinations make the most memorable meals.
Country Comfort: Set-It-and-Forget-It Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this effortless slow cooker meal that combines smoky ham, fresh green beans, and tender potatoes. This traditional Southern dish requires minimal prep but delivers maximum flavor, creating a complete meal that’s perfect for busy weekdays or lazy Sundays. The slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld together perfectly, resulting in a dish that’s both satisfying and soul-warming.
Storage Options:
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating
- Reheat in microwave or stovetop with a splash of water
- Can be kept warm in slow cooker for up to 2 hours on low setting
Summary: Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low, 4-6 hours on high Total Time: 6-8 hours Servings: 6-8 Difficulty Level: Easy
Equipment:
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups
- Vegetable peeler
- Large spoon for serving
- Storage containers
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pounds ham hock or ham chunks
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Place ham in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic.
- Layer trimmed green beans over the ham.
- Add quartered potatoes on top.
- Pour chicken broth or water over everything.
- Add black pepper, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
- Check potatoes for tenderness with a fork before serving.
- Add butter if desired and gently stir to combine all ingredients.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Notes:
- Can use smoked ham hock, ham shanks, or diced ham
- Fresh green beans work better than canned or frozen
- Don’t cut potatoes too small or they’ll become mushy
- No need to add salt as ham provides enough seasoning
- Add more liquid if needed during cooking
- Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold can be substituted
- Can add carrots for extra vegetables
- Leftovers make excellent next-day lunch
- Try to use similar-sized potato pieces for even cooking
- If using ham hock, remove meat from bone before serving