Pioneer Woman's Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes: A Flavorful Family Feast

Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes – Hearty and Simple

Looking for a fuss-free, deeply satisfying meal that the whole family will love? This Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes recipe is your answer. Inspired by the hearty, home-style cooking popularized by figures like the Pioneer Woman, this dish is all about simple ingredients and big flavors, slow-cooked to perfection in your crockpot. Imagine tender chunks of ham mingling with earthy green beans and creamy potatoes – a comforting trio that’s both nutritious and incredibly easy to prepare.

Close up of Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes

The Unexpected Delight of Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most rewarding. When I first decided to throw some leftover ham, green beans, and potatoes into the crockpot, I wasn’t expecting culinary fireworks. Honestly, it was more about using up leftovers than creating a gourmet meal. But what emerged after hours of slow cooking was a revelation. The flavors melded together beautifully, creating a dish that was far greater than the sum of its parts. This isn’t fancy food; it’s honest-to-goodness comfort food at its finest – the kind that warms you from the inside out without relying on heavy creams or excessive oils. It’s just good, wholesome ingredients, slow-cooked until they reach peak deliciousness. My family? They devoured it, and yours will too.

Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes served in a baking dish

Slow Cooking Ham and Potatoes: A Match Made in Heaven

Using a slow cooker for ham and potatoes is a game-changer. My trusty 7-quart crockpot was nearly full with this recipe, thanks to a rather substantial ham shank. However, you could easily make this in a 6-quart slow cooker, especially if you’re using diced ham or smoked sausage instead of a shank. The beauty of the crockpot is its forgiving nature. Cooking times can vary based on your specific appliance – some cook hotter than others, and a half-full crockpot will cook faster than a completely full one. The key is to keep an eye on it and check for doneness.

Don’t worry if this recipe seems like it makes a lot. Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes are fantastic as leftovers. In fact, I often think they taste even better the next day or two as the flavors continue to deepen and meld in the refrigerator. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

Ham shank and potatoes in a crockpot

Choosing the Right Crockpot for Your Needs

For those who, like me, appreciate the convenience of slow cooking, having a few crockpots in different sizes is incredibly useful. Here are a few of my go-to slow cookers that might be helpful for you:

For Transporting Food: A 6-quart slow cooker with a locking lid is invaluable for potlucks and gatherings. Just be aware that these models tend to run hot, so adjust your cooking times accordingly. Low is closer to a simmer, and warm is practically a simmer!
For Everyday Cooking: An 8-quart Crockpot is my workhorse for larger roasts and big batches of chili. Interestingly, a full 4-quart cooker actually cooks slower than a half-full 8-quart one.
For Smaller Recipes: A 3-quart version is perfect for cooking smaller portions of chicken or side dishes.
For Holiday Sides: Medium-sized round slow cookers are fantastic for keeping Thanksgiving side dishes warm without taking up oven space.
For Multi-Dish Meals: CrockPockets are a clever invention that divides a standard 6-quart crockpot into two sections, perfect for serving multiple side dishes or keeping different taco fillings warm.

Ham, onions, and potatoes in a crockpot

Making Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes in Your Slow Cooker: Ingredients and Steps

Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting crockpot meal:

Ingredients:

Ham: 1 ham shank (with bone-in for maximum flavor) or 2 pounds of diced ham or smoked sausage. Using a ham shank adds a richer flavor, reminiscent of classic Pioneer Woman recipes.
Potatoes: 2 pounds of yellow or red potatoes, cut into chunks. Yellow potatoes offer a creamy texture that works beautifully in this dish.
Onion: 1 large yellow onion, chopped.
Green Beans: 2 pounds of fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed.
Seasoning: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste), ½ teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste). These simple seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients without overpowering them.
Chicken Stock: 4-6 cups chicken stock, or enough to almost cover the ingredients.

Pouring chicken stock into a crockpot with green beans

Instructions:

Layer Ingredients: Place the ham at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the potato chunks around the ham. Top with the chopped onions and green beans.
Season Generously: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the vegetables.
Add Chicken Stock: Pour in enough chicken stock to cover the ham and potatoes, leaving the green beans mostly exposed. They don’t need to be fully submerged to cook perfectly.
Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the green beans are tender-crisp and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
Shred Ham (if using shank): If you used a ham shank, remove it from the crockpot and shred the meat, discarding the bone and excess fat.
Serve: Transfer the ham and vegetables to a serving dish. Drizzle with a bit of the cooking juices from the crockpot for added moisture and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!

Green beans barely covered by chicken stock in a crockpot

Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes ready to cook

More Easy Crockpot Ham Recipes to Explore

If you enjoyed this simple crockpot ham recipe, you might also like these other easy and flavorful slow cooker dishes:

Bell Pepper Chili: For a vibrant and flavorful chili, try Bell Pepper Chili. The combination of bell peppers and chili spices is incredibly satisfying.
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs with Bell Peppers: Sweet and Spicy Meatballs with Bell Peppers offer a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, perfect as an appetizer or main course.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork: For incredibly tender and flavorful pulled pork, Slow Cooker Mexican Pork is a must-try. It’s versatile and perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls.
Bell Pepper Soup: Warm up with a hearty and comforting Bell Pepper Soup. It’s packed with vegetables and seasoned beef for a complete meal in a bowl.
Crockpot Creamed Corn: Indulge in the creamy goodness of homemade Crockpot Creamed Corn. It’s a buttery, sweet, and savory side dish perfect for any occasion.
Green Bean Casserole: No holiday gathering is complete without Green Bean Casserole. This classic side dish is surprisingly easy to make in a slow cooker.

Close up of Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes on a plate

Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes in a baking dish – square crop

Crockpot Ham, Potatoes, and Green Beans Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Tender chunks of ham meld with earthy green beans and hearty potatoes in this super simple Crockpot Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes recipe.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 ham shank (with plenty of meat on bone) OR 2 pounds of ham or smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds small red or yellow potatoes or potatoes, cut into 2-3 inch pieces
1 large yellow onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt, adjust to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, adjust to taste
4-6 cups chicken stock, plus more as needed

Instructions

Place the ham in the slow cooker and then add the potatoes around it. Add the onions and green beans over the top. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Add enough chicken stock to fully cover the ham and potatoes and almost cover the green beans. (The green beans do not need to be fully submerged.)
Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, until the green beans are tender-crisp and the potatoes are fork tender. Remove the ham shank from the crockpot and pull the meat from the bone.
Transfer the ham and vegetables to a large serving dish or platter and pour a bit of the juices over the meat. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Cooking time may vary depending on your crockpot’s size, shape, and cooking temperature. A half-full crockpot will cook faster than a full one, so adjust cooking times as needed.

Nutrition Information

Crockpot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes Serving Suggestion