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If I had a dollar for every time this recipe saved dinnertime at my place, I’d be treating myself to a spa day! Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes is just my kind of cozy—hands-off, hearty, and practically begging for seconds. We all have those days where dinner needs to make itself while we wrangle busy schedules (or, let’s be honest, just want to get off our feet for a while). This is my favorite one-pot meal for those nights, and it always hits the spot—my whole family loves it and the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) are just as craveable.
Quick funny story: the very first time I tossed this recipe in the slow cooker, I was certain it was too simple to be that good. I actually called my sister halfway through the afternoon to confess I hadn’t fussed enough with dinner—and you should’ve heard the laughter when I told her how everyone polished off their bowls later! That’s the magic of this dish: it’s low effort but big on satisfaction. And the aroma in the house by dinnertime? Just pure comfort (almost as good as a hug from your best friend).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything goes into the slow cooker, so cleanup is basically a dream. (We all need a win like that some days!)
- Perfectly Balanced: Hearty cubes of ham, creamy potatoes, and bright green beans all snuggled up in a light, savory broth—so filling, yet wholesome.
- Slow Cooker Convenience: Just dump, stir, and walk away. You’ll come home to dinner ready and the kitchen smelling fantastic.
- Customizable: Got picky eaters or just craving a little something extra? You can swap and play with the add-ins—super flexible!
- Great for Leftovers: It reheats like a champ, which makes it perfect for lunch the next day (or stealing the last bowl for a late-night snack, not that I’d ever do that…).
Key Ingredients
Ham: The star of the show! Any diced cooked ham works wonderfully—leftover holiday ham is a treat, but honestly, even a ham steak from the deli will do. Don’t be afraid to use a mix of smoked or regular – you do you.
Green Beans: Fresh is fabulous for color and snap, but you can absolutely use frozen (just toss them in as-is, no need to thaw). In a real pinch, canned green beans work too—just shorten the cooking time a little.
Potatoes: I love classic russets or Yukon golds here, peeled and chopped into chunky pieces so they soak up all that brothy goodness. Red potatoes keep their shape a little better if that’s your style—no judgment!
Onion (Optional): Chopped onion adds a savory, almost sweet backbone to the broth. But if you have fussy eaters, you can totally skip it or use a little onion powder instead.
Steak Spice Seasoning: This is my little “cheat code”—it adds deep, herby flavor without dragging out every spice in your cupboard. If you’re out, just use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of dried herbs.
Salt and Pepper: Simple, but essential. Be generous! The potatoes soak up a lot, and a good sprinkle really brings the whole thing together.
Water: You could use low-sodium chicken broth for more richness, but water is classic, lighter, and lets all those cozy flavors really sing.
Complete ingredient amounts and details are in the recipe card below.
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
Cube the Ham: Chop about 2 pounds of cooked ham into hearty, bite-sized chunks. If you’ve got kiddos, make them a little smaller for tiny forks!
Trim the Green Beans: Grab roughly 2 pounds of green beans and snap off the ends (very therapeutic). Cut longer beans in half—it just means more fits in your spoon (and you get more green goodness in every bite).
Dice the Potatoes: Peel four big potatoes and cut them into even pieces (think generous dice, about the size of playing dice). Uniform pieces mean even cooking and less fuss later.
Chop the Onion (Optional): If you’re using it, chop up a medium onion. Not a fan of onion bits? Dice it super small or swap in a sprinkle of onion powder—that works in a pinch and no one will know.
Step 2: Assembling the Slow Cooker
Layer it Up: Add ham, green beans, potatoes, and onion to your slow cooker in any order—I usually start with ham so those smoky juices flavor everything else. Honestly, you can’t mess this up.
Season Well: Sprinkle with a teaspoon or so of steak spice, add plenty of freshly ground pepper, and a good pinch of salt. This is where the slow cooker alchemy starts!
Stir and Add Water: Give everything a gentle toss to distribute seasoning, then pour in about 3 cups of water. No need to cover all the veggies—the steam and juices will do the rest. Trust me, you don’t want it soupy, just cozy and brothy.
Step 3: Cooking
Let It Go: Pop the lid on, set your slow cooker to low, and let it work its magic for about 6 hours. Try not to peek too much—the flavor only gets better as it goes (but I won’t judge if you need to sneak a taste partway through!).
Check for Doneness: Potatoes should be fork-tender, beans soft but not mushy, and the ham infused throughout. Taste for seasoning and add a little more salt or pepper if needed. Want to get fancy? Stir in a handful of cooked bacon bits for a smoky finish that nobody’s mad about.
Step 4: Serving
Ladle & Enjoy: Serve in generous bowls, making sure to dish out those brothy juices too. It’s pure comfort, friends. For a little color and fresh pop, sprinkle on some chopped parsley (or even sliced green onions if you’re feeling sassy).
Make It Your Own: Some nights I’ll melt a pat of butter on top, other times I add a pinch of crushed red pepper—trust your cravings!
Serving Suggestions
This truly is a full meal in a bowl, but if you want a little something extra, try these:
- Cornbread: Buttery cornbread is my family’s top vote for dipping—that sweet-savory combo is dreamy.
- Green Salad: Serve with a crisp salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette (great for balance, promise!).
- Pickled Veggies: Tangy pickled beets or cucumbers cut right through the richness and make you feel a little fancy.
- Fresh Bread: Never say no to a warm roll or crusty bread—you’ll want it for sopping up the last of the broth.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refrigeration: Any leftovers (if your people don’t eat it all…) will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Just reheat gently, either on the stove or in the microwave—no need to overthink it.
Freezing: This dish is freezer-friendly, too! Ladle into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat (sometimes I add a splash of water to loosen things up—it’s all good).
Meal Prep: Want an even easier dinnertime? Cut up ham and veggies ahead and store (covered) in the fridge for up to 2 days—assembly will take minutes the morning you want to slow-cook.
Variations
This recipe is super flexible. Make it suit your mood or whatever’s hiding in your fridge! Here are some of my favorite spins:
- Smoky Bacon: Stir in crispy bacon bits at the end for a savory, hearty punch. (Can you really ever go wrong with bacon?)
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of hot sauce before serving, if your crew likes things with a bit of zing.
- Go Vegetarian: Swap out the ham for thick-sliced mushrooms or smoked tofu, use veggie broth, and double up on the beans. The smoky flavor can come from a dash of smoked paprika—so good!
- Herb Boost: Toss a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary in with everything—pull them out before serving for amazing aroma that says “someone’s been cooking all day.”
- Say Cheese: Sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar or parmesan over the bowls before serving for melty, gooey happiness.
Conclusion
I hope this Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes finds a regular spot in your meal routine, just like it has in mine! There’s something so grounding about gathering everyone ‘round the table—even if some nights the table is a little noisy or messy (hey, that’s life). Let me know if you give it a try, or if your family has their own favorite way to add a twist—I’m always here for another dinnertime story. Keep that slow cooker handy, and happy, cozy cooking, friends!
Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
A hearty and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. Slow-cooked ham, tender green beans, and perfectly cooked potatoes come together in a flavorful broth for a satisfying one-pot meal.
- 2 pounds ham (cubed)
- 2 pounds green beans (ends trimmed)
- 4 large potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 onion (chopped, optional)
- 1 tsp steak spice seasoning
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 3 cups water
- Cube the ham, trim the green beans, dice the potatoes, and optionally chop the onion.
- Layer the ham, green beans, potatoes, and onion in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with steak spice, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and pour in the water.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the green beans are soft.
- Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Stir in optional bacon bits for added flavor.
- Ladle the ham, green beans, and potatoes into bowls, ensuring each portion has a bit of everything. Garnish with parsley if desired.
This dish can also be made with smoked sausage or leftover holiday ham for added variety. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Main Course
American
comfort food, ham and green beans, hearty dinner, one-pot meal, slow cooker recipe
Slow Cooker Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ham cubed
- 2 pounds green beans ends trimmed
- 4 large potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 onion chopped, optional
- 1 tsp steak spice seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Cube the ham, trim the green beans, dice the potatoes, and optionally chop the onion.
- Layer the ham, green beans, potatoes, and onion in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with steak spice, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and pour in the water.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the green beans are soft.
- Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Stir in optional bacon bits for added flavor.
- Ladle the ham, green beans, and potatoes into bowls, ensuring each portion has a bit of everything. Garnish with parsley if desired.
