Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes 3

If you’re looking for an easy and satisfying meal, Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes is a great choice. This dish not only makes use of leftover ham but also combines nutritious vegetables for a balanced meal. By simply placing all the ingredients in a crockpot, you can set it and forget it, freeing up your time for other tasks. Curious about how to make this dish and what other tips can enhance your experience?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you try this Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes recipe, you’ll quickly see why it’s a favorite for many home cooks. The setup is quick and easy, as you just toss all the ingredients into the crockpot. This hands-free cooking method means you can go about your day while it simmers. You can choose to cook it on high for 2-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, giving you flexibility. The meal isn’t only nutritious, with balanced macronutrients and fiber, but it’s also flavorful, thanks to spices like thyme and garlic. Plus, it’s practical for using leftover ham, serves a crowd, and simplifies cleanup with just one pot. This recipe is ready in total time of 4 hours 10 minutes, making it a convenient option for busy days. You’ll love how simple and satisfying it is!

History

Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes has deep roots in Southern cuisine, reflecting a rich history that began with resourceful cooking practices. The dish originates from Southern traditions, where slow-cooked greens and beans were often made with ham hocks or bacon. Enslaved Africans contributed to this tradition by simmering greens in a flavorful broth called ‘potlikker.’ They made use of leftover vegetables and less desirable meat parts, ensuring their meals were nutritious and filling. This dish often incorporates fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, showcasing the versatility of available ingredients.

Recipe

Ingredients

Ham hock, cooked ham chunks, or smoked sausage
Fresh or frozen green beans
Yellow or red potatoes
Thyme
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Black pepper
Optional: Cinnamon and cloves
Chicken broth
Water

Cooking Instructions

Start by placing the ham at the bottom of the crockpot. This will allow the juices from the ham to flavor the other ingredients as they cook.
Next, layer the fresh or frozen green beans over the ham, followed by the chopped, bite-sized pieces of yellow or red potatoes.
Season the layers with thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and any optional spices like cinnamon and cloves to taste. Cooking ham hocks slowly allows for a rich and distinct umami flavor to develop in the broth.
Pour enough chicken broth and water into the crockpot to cover the ingredients completely.
Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook on high for 4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
Once cooking is complete, if using a ham hock, remove it from the crockpot, let it cool, then dice the meat and return it to the pot.
Stir everything together, serve warm, and add additional broth if desired for extra moisture.

For best results, make sure that your potatoes are cut into small enough pieces to cook thoroughly.

You can adjust the seasoning according to the saltiness of your broth, and if you have a smaller crockpot, be mindful to reduce the cooking time as necessary.

This dish isn’t only a great way to use up leftover ham but also a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your cooking experience with this Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes dish, it’s essential to contemplate a few key points to maximize your enjoyment and success.

First, remember that prep time is just 10 minutes, but cooking can take between 3 to 6 hours depending on your setting.

Using fresh green beans will yield the best flavor, and you can use leftover holiday ham or pre-cooked options.

Don’t forget to season with thyme, garlic powder, and other spices to enhance taste.

This dish isn’t only hearty but also cost-effective, making it perfect for many occasions.

Plus, it’s a nutritious choice, packed with 8% of Daily Value of potassium and vitamins.

Enjoy your meal!

FAQ

Wondering how to make the most of your Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes? Start by choosing fresh or frozen green beans for the best texture. You can use ham hocks, cooked ham, or smoked sausage, and opt for thin-skinned potatoes like yellow or red. Additionally, many families have enjoyed this dish for its unexpected success, proving that using leftover ham can yield delightful results.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 5-6 hours, ensuring the potatoes are fork-tender and the green beans are tender-crisp. Layer your ingredients, placing ham at the bottom, followed by potatoes and green beans. For flavor, mix garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and consider thyme or its substitutes. Finally, remember to fully cover the ingredients with chicken broth for a deliciously comforting dish.