Description
Slow-cooker ham and green beans showcase Southern comfort at its finest. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a rustic one-pot meal that brings warmth to family dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb cooked ham, diced or cut into chunks
Vegetables:
- 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 lbs baby potatoes (or red potatoes), quartered
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Meticulously rinse and trim the verdant green beans, transforming potatoes into uniform bite-sized cubes, and delicately dice the savory ham into appetizing morsels.
- Transfer the prepared green beans, potatoes, and ham into the welcoming crockpot, layering with fragrant diced onions and minced garlic for depth of flavor.
- Cascade chicken broth generously over the assembled ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and moisture distribution.
- Enhance the medley with a judicious sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and smoky paprika, gently folding to integrate the seasonings evenly.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the ingredients to slowly marry and develop complex flavors, simmering on low temperature for approximately six to seven hours or on high for three to four hours.
- Periodically assess the tenderness of potatoes and overall seasoning, making subtle adjustments as the dish evolves.
- Once potatoes reach perfect fork-tender consistency and ingredients have melded harmoniously, evaluate the salt profile, adding minimal seasoning if necessary.
- Present the aromatic dish adorned with optional chopped parsley or a whisper of red pepper flakes, serving warm as a comforting main course or robust side offering.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by browning the ham in a skillet before adding to the crockpot, which deepens the overall taste profile and adds a delightful caramelized texture.
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels, especially if using pre-seasoned ham that already contains significant sodium.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting ham with smoked turkey or plant-based protein alternatives for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version.
- Prevent mushy potatoes by choosing waxy varieties like red or Yukon gold, which hold their shape better during slow cooking and maintain a pleasant texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg