This one-pot meal combines smoked ham, fresh green beans, and hearty potatoes in the slow cooker. It’s a classic comfort food dish that comes together with very little hands-on effort.
After about 15 minutes of prep, the Crockpot takes over for 4 to 6 hours. The result is tender vegetables and flavorful ham in a savory broth, ready for you to serve.
Why is Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes a Must-Try?
One-Pot Cooking: All the ingredients cook together in the slow cooker, which means less cleanup for you.
Deep Flavor from Ham Hock: Using a smoked ham hock infuses the entire dish with a rich, smoky flavor as it cooks.
Set and Forget: This recipe is ideal for busy days. Once the ingredients are in the pot, you can leave it to cook while you do other things.
Ingredients for Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
• Ham Hock: Look for a smoked ham hock for the most flavor. If you can’t find one, you can substitute with about 2 cups of diced cooked ham, added in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Potatoes: Yellow or red-skinned potatoes work well because they hold their shape. There is no need to peel them, just scrub them well.
• Green Beans: Fresh or frozen green beans can be used. If using fresh, trim the ends before adding them to the pot.
• Spices: The combination of thyme, clove, and cinnamon adds a warm, savory depth. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your taste.
Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Start by placing the smoked ham hock at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped potatoes and trimmed green beans on top. Pour the water over everything.
Step 2: Season the Dish
In a small bowl, mix together the thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this seasoning blend evenly over the vegetables, then drizzle with oil.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Tenderness
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours. The dish is ready when the potatoes and green beans are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Carefully remove the ham hock from the pot and set it on a cutting board to cool slightly. Shred or chop the meat from the bone, discarding the skin and bone. Return the ham meat to the slow cooker, stir gently, and serve warm.
What to Serve with Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
This is a complete meal on its own. For a traditional Southern-style plate, you could serve it with a side of cornbread to soak up the broth.
Expert Tips for Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
For food safety, pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). The ham hock will become much more tender with the long, slow cooking time.
If you prefer to use cooked, diced ham, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking time to prevent it from becoming dry.
Do not cut the potato chunks larger than 1 inch, as they may not cook through in the specified time.
All slow cookers heat differently. Your cooking time may vary slightly.
How to Store and Freeze Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish does not freeze well, as the texture of the potatoes can become grainy. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, frozen green beans work well. You do not need to thaw them first; just add them directly to the slow cooker.
My potatoes are still hard. What should I do?
If your potatoes aren’t tender, it may be due to their size or the specific heat of your slow cooker. Continue cooking on HIGH in 30-minute increments until they are fork-tender.
Is this dish supposed to have a lot of broth?
This recipe creates a flavorful broth at the bottom of the pot, but it’s not a soup. The vegetables and ham should be moist, not swimming in liquid.
Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 smoked ham hock about 1 to 1.5 lb / 450-680 g
- 2 lbs yellow or red potatoes scrubbed and cut into 1-inch chunks, 900 g
- 2 lbs green beans fresh or frozen, trimmed, 900 g
- 3 cups water 720 ml
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place the ham hock in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Arrange the potato chunks and green beans around and on top of the ham hock.
- Pour the water over the ingredients in the pot.
- In a small bowl, combine the thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the potatoes and green beans. Drizzle the vegetable oil on top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Carefully remove the ham hock and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool for a few minutes until you can handle it.
- Remove the meat from the bone, discarding any fat, skin, and the bone itself. Chop or shred the meat. The pork should be tender and easily pull apart.
- Return the chopped ham to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine and serve warm.
Notes
