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Crockpot Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes: A Comforting One-Pot Slow Cooker Meal

Crockpot Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes is a simple, hearty, old-fashioned comfort meal made with tender potatoes, savory ham, and green beans cooked slowly until all the flavors blend together. It is the kind of recipe that feels homemade, filling, and warm without requiring much work in the kitchen.

This dish is perfect for busy weekdays, Sunday dinners, family gatherings, or using leftover ham after a holiday meal. The slow cooker does most of the work, turning basic ingredients into a flavorful meal with a rich, savory broth. The ham seasons the potatoes and green beans as they cook, while the potatoes absorb the broth and become soft and satisfying.

Why This Recipe Works

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. Ham adds saltiness and smoky flavor, potatoes make the dish hearty, and green beans bring freshness and texture. As everything cooks together in the crockpot, the flavors slowly deepen.

Unlike quick stovetop versions, the slow cooker allows the potatoes to become tender without falling apart too quickly. The ham releases flavor into the broth, and the green beans become soft and seasoned. It is a classic “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like it has been simmering on the stove all day.

Ingredients

1 ½ to 2 pounds ham, diced or cut into chunks
1 ½ pounds baby potatoes or regular potatoes, cut into chunks
1 to 1 ½ pounds green beans, fresh, frozen, or canned
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
½ teaspoon dried thyme, optional
Salt to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Best Ham to Use

This recipe works well with several types of ham. Leftover baked ham is one of the best options because it already has a rich flavor. You can also use ham steak, diced ham, smoked ham, or ham hock.

If using a ham hock, place it in the crockpot with the vegetables and remove it after cooking. Shred the meat from the bone and stir it back into the dish before serving.

Be careful with added salt because ham is already salty. It is better to season lightly at the beginning and adjust the salt at the end.

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Wash the potatoes well. If you are using baby potatoes, you can cut them in half. If you are using larger potatoes, cut them into medium chunks.

You can peel the potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture, but leaving the skin on adds flavor and helps the potatoes hold their shape during slow cooking.

Try to keep the potato pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Green Beans

If using fresh green beans, rinse them, trim the ends, and cut them into smaller pieces.

If using frozen green beans, you can add them directly to the crockpot. There is no need to thaw them first.

If using canned green beans, drain them before adding. Since canned green beans are already soft, you may want to add them during the last hour of cooking instead of at the beginning.