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This Crockpot green beans and potatoes with ham is very quick to put together and is so hearty and delicious.
The flavors meld together perfectly, blending ham with herbs and seasonings that are unique but not weird.
This slow cooker green beans and potatoes is all you need for a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy. The only thing missing is a side of bread if you wish.
I recommend you utilize a ham hock in this recipe, as the bone will produce extra flavor.
However, you can certainly use leftover ham if that's what you have on hand. Simply mix in 2 cups of cooked, cut up ham in place of the ham hock.
Also, it's best to use fresh green beans if you have them, but frozen green beans are a close second.
Don't use canned green beans, however, as they are already cooked and will go to mush by the end of the cook time.
If, however, all you have are canned green beans, then you could add canned, drained green beans during the last 30 minutes of the cook time just to heat them up.
I like this green beans, potatoes, and ham recipe because of the mix of flavors. A touch of cinnamon and cloves goes well with the ham. The thyme goes great with the green beans.
The onion and garlic powders go great with it all. Mixing them all together ends up with a surprisingly awesome blend of flavors.
I hope you feel the same!
What You'll Need:
36 ounces of fresh or frozen green beans (broken in bite-size pieces)
3 cups water
1 pound pork or ham hock (or 2 cups of leftover cooked ham pieces)
4 large thin-skinned potatoes, yellow or red (or a mixture), cut into bite-size chunks
1 Tablespoon dry thyme
1 teaspoon each of garlic and onion powders
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
drizzle of oil
Making Ham, Potatoes & Green Beans in the Crockpot
I like to add the ham hock to the bottom of the crock pot first, then pour in the green beans and potato chunks.
Don't cut the potatoes too large, or they will have a hard time getting done when everything else is ready. I like to go for 1 inch pieces or smaller.
Next, you will add the thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cloves, and cinnamon. Mix together thoroughly, and then drizzle with a bit of oil (1-2 tablespoons) before covering.
I cooked my green beans, ham, and potatoes on high for 4 hours, but you can cook on low for 6-7 hours instead.
This all depends on whether you'll be home or not and how quickly you need it to be done.
Don't overcook, as the green beans will turn to mush. You do want the potatoes to get done, though.
I found that my potatoes were perfect after 4 hours on high, and the green beans had held up nicely.
Once the green beans and potatoes are cooked, you will remove the ham hock and let it cool a bit before dicing up the ham.
Turn the crock pot on the warm setting while cooling and cutting up the ham pieces. Add the ham pieces back in and serve.
Serve with bread of your choice. I recommend serving with my Southern Butter Biscuits, Cheddar Biscuits, or Southern Skillet Cornbread.
Crockpot Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork hock (also called ham hock) (or 2 cups cooked ham chunks)
- 36 ounces green beans , fresh or frozen (in bite-size pieces)
- 3 cups water
- 4 large potatoes , yellow or red, skin on, cut in bite-size chunks
- 1 Tbsp thyme , dry
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt , more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- oil , just a drizzle (about 1-2 Tablespoons)
Instructions
- Add the ham hock (or ham chunks) to the bottom of the crock pot, then pour in the green beans, water, and potato chunks. Don't cut the potatoes too large, or they will have a hard time getting done when everything else is ready. I like to go for 1 inch or smaller.
- Next, you will add the thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cloves, and cinnamon. Mix together thoroughly, and then drizzle with a bit of oil (1-2 tablespoons) before covering.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours. This all depends on whether you'll be home or not and how quickly you need it to be done. Don't overcook, as the green beans will turn to mush. You do want the potatoes to get done, though.
- Once the green beans and potatoes are cooked, you will remove the ham hock and let it cool a bit before dicing up the ham. Turn the crockpot on the warm setting while cooling and cutting up the ham pieces. Add the ham pieces back in and serve.
Nutrition
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Yum! What a tasty dish - the perfect side. Love the combination and that it is done in the slow cooker!
Thanks Alexandra! We love it too!
Such a perfect weeknight dinner! I love things like this, and the flavours are amazing!
Thanks Kylie!
Now this is my kind of comfort food. Anything with potatoes is good with me.
I agree Dannii!
This crockpot beans and ham looks like a great easy dinner recipe! Slow Cooker recipes are right up my alley so I can't wait to give your recipe a go, yum!! Will make it one night this week.
Thanks Adrianne! Hope you love it like we do!
I don't use my crockpot enough and I've never added green beans. I must try that seasoning too.
Love my crockpot, Jacqueline! Give it a go!
These green beans and potatoes are so delicious! I love that you can make them in the crockpot, and they pair great with roasted chicken!
Thanks Emily! Yes, they are delicious!
What a wonderful hearty dish packed with flavour. This is definately one I will be using this year to use up the rest of my Christmas ham.
It is delicious! Thanks Sara!
This is is so flavorful. I love anything with cloves. So delicious!
Yes, the cloves really add a nice touch of flavor! Thanks Nart!
Now this is my kind of comfort food, and even better that it has veggies in it.
Totally agree, Dannii!
I've been using my slow cooker a lot too recently. This is completely different from anything I've tried in it so far.
Yes indeed! We love it here, Jacqueline!
I made this today as a Thanksgiving side dish. I had fresh string been from the garden that I froze over the summer. I substituted Cajun andouille sausage for the ham. WOW!! The flavors are amazing. I cooked it on low and it was done in 5.hours. This is definitely my go to recipe. The cinnamon and cloves take this recipe to 2.0.
So glad, Lori! Thanks for letting me know! Just to clarify - Did you like the cinnamon and cloves or not? It's not clear to me what you mean by 2.0 (positive or negative).
I was hesitant to try this recipe, due to the cinnamon and cloves, but I persevered after reading the comments. However, this was a fail for me. The spices over powered the natural flavors of the ham and green beans. I guess I am too much of a purist when it comes to this dish.
I'm sorry to hear that, Cindy. Thank you for your feedback!
I dont have fresh green beans. Can I substitute for canned?
I just don't want them to become mushy. If canned us ok to use, should I wait to add them?
Thanks for your question, Patrick. Canned beans aren't recommended, as they will become mushy if used during the whole cook time. If you don't have fresh, frozen is the next best option. If you must use canned, add them during the last 30 minutes of the cook time just to heat them up. Hope they turn out wonderful for you!
Love this. Thinking of trying it with chicken too.
Thanks Florence! I think making it with chicken would be delicious!
Please may ask what size crockpot did you use??? Thank You
Thanks for your question, Cheryl. Mine is a bigger one, but it wasn't completely full. I think mine is a 7 quart.