Hearty Ham and Green Bean Potatoes

What You’ll Discover in This Post:

• The Ultimate Easy Leftover Ham Dish
• Key Ingredients and Clever Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Guide to Slow-Cooking Perfection
• Customize Your Ham and Potato Dish: Recipe Modifications
• Storing and Reheating Tips for Lasting Freshness
• More Creative Leftover Ham Ideas
• Printable Recipe: Classic Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes

The Ultimate Easy Leftover Ham Dish for Comfort and Convenience

My Papa, a true kitchen wizard, possessed an incredible talent for transforming the simplest ingredients into meals bursting with flavor and warmth. His culinary legacy included iconic dishes like his unbelievably tender pot roast, the comforting layers of chicken pot pie, and his hearty beef stew. Each recipe was a testament to his philosophy: comfort made effortlessly. Yet, among his most treasured and easiest creations was this very dish: a delightful combination of Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham.

The true magic of this recipe unfolds right in the slow cooker, demanding minimal effort but delivering maximum taste. Imagine smoky ham, perfectly tender potatoes, and crisp-tender green beans, all simmering together in a rich, savory broth infused with simple, wholesome seasonings. The slow, gentle cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth that belies its simplicity. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that truly proves deliciousness doesn’t require complexity or endless hours in the kitchen. This classic “dump-and-cook” method is ideal for those who crave homemade flavor without the fuss.

Especially after indulging in a grand holiday feast featuring masterpieces like a perfectly Baked Glazed Ham, creamy Scalloped Potatoes, or a refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad, the thought of an easy, hands-off recipe like this one is an absolute godsend. It’s the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the remaining holiday spirit without spending additional hours on cleanup or intricate cooking. This dish not only creates a new, equally delightful meal from those valuable leftover ham bones and meat but also serves as an excellent, budget-friendly option for any busy weeknight throughout the year. It’s truly a timeless comfort food that nourishes both body and soul.

Happy Cooking, from my kitchen to yours! xo Kristen

Key Ingredients and Clever Substitutions for Optimal Flavor

Achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture in this comforting slow cooker dish starts with selecting the right ingredients, or knowing how to make smart, delicious substitutions when needed. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why:

• Ham Bone or Ham Hock: This is arguably the most crucial ingredient for deep, smoky flavor. A leftover ham bone from a holiday feast (like Christmas or Easter) is absolutely ideal, as it will infuse the broth with an unparalleled richness and savory depth as it slow cooks. If you don’t have a ham bone readily available, a ham hock is an excellent and widely accessible substitute. Ham hocks are typically easy to find year-round in most grocery stores and will provide that essential savory, smoky foundation that makes this dish truly stand out. Don’t underestimate the power of a good ham bone – it’s where much of the magic happens!
• Potatoes: For the best results, we highly recommend using waxy potatoes such as new potatoes, red potatoes, or Yukon gold potatoes. These varieties are renowned for holding their shape beautifully during extended cooking times, preventing them from turning mushy or disintegrating into the broth. More importantly, their firm texture allows them to perfectly absorb the rich, delicious broth created by the ham and seasonings, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Cut them into generous 2-3 inch chunks for even cooking and a satisfying bite. You can leave the skin on for extra nutrients and rustic charm, especially with Yukon golds or red potatoes.
• Green Beans: The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility! You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, depending on what you have on hand or what’s most convenient for your schedule.
  • Fresh Green Beans: For a vibrant, crisp-tender texture, trim the ends and snap or cut them into 1½-inch pieces. They will retain a slight bite and beautiful color, adding freshness to the dish.
  • Frozen Green Beans: These are a fantastic shortcut. Thaw them slightly before adding to the slow cooker to ensure more even cooking and to prevent them from chilling down the other ingredients too much.
  • Canned Green Beans: If using canned, be sure to drain them thoroughly to avoid excess sodium and liquid that could alter the broth’s consistency and flavor. They cook down wonderfully and absorb the rich flavors particularly well, offering a classic, tender texture.
• Seasonings: This dish embraces simplicity, allowing the natural, robust flavors of the ham and vegetables to shine without being overshadowed. The primary seasonings include savory onion powder, aromatic minced garlic (freshly minced is always best, but jarred works in a pinch), a touch of freshly cracked black pepper, and the foundational flavor of seasoned salt. If you opt for plain kosher salt instead of seasoned salt, you might want to slightly increase the other seasonings or add a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs to achieve a similar depth of flavor. Always taste and adjust as you go!
• Stock: The liquid base is crucial for developing the broth. We strongly suggest using a low-sodium chicken stock, whether store-bought or homemade chicken stock, or even Instant Pot chicken stock. Using low-sodium stock gives you greater control over the overall saltiness of the dish, which is important because ham can be quite salty on its own. You can always add more salt to taste at the end of cooking, but you can’t remove it once it’s in! Starting with 2 cups is a good baseline, and you can add more if you prefer a brothier consistency, as detailed in our modifications section.

By understanding these ingredients and their specific roles, you’re well on your way to crafting a truly memorable and satisfying meal with confidence.

Step-by-Step Guide to Slow-Cooking Perfection

Preparing this comforting Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes dish in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, making it an ideal choice for even the busiest days. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, flavorful results that require minimal hands-on time. You’ll find the precise ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the complete, printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

1. Prepare and Layer Ingredients: Begin by gathering all your ingredients and performing any necessary prep work, such as cutting potatoes and trimming green beans. In the base of your 6-8 quart slow cooker, combine the cut potatoes, green beans (whether fresh, thawed frozen, or thoroughly drained canned), 2-4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth (start with 2 cups and add more later if you desire a brothier soup-like consistency), onion powder, minced garlic, black pepper, and seasoned salt. Give them a gentle stir to ensure everything is well combined and coated with the seasonings. Finally, carefully nestle the meaty ham bone right into the center of the mixture. Ensure it’s partially submerged in the liquid; this positioning is key to ensuring the ham bone’s rich, smoky flavors are fully distributed throughout the entire dish as it cooks slowly.

   
   

2. Set and Slow Cook: Once all ingredients are neatly arranged in the slow cooker, place the lid on securely. Set your slow cooker to cook on the LOW setting for a duration of 6 to 8 hours. This longer, gentler cooking time is highly recommended as it allows the flavors to truly meld and deepen, resulting in the most tender ham and potatoes. If you’re short on time and need a quicker turnaround, you can opt for the HIGH setting, cooking for 3 to 4 hours. The goal is for the potatoes to be fork-tender and the ham to easily fall off the bone, thoroughly infusing the entire dish with its smoky goodness. Remember, resist the urge to lift the lid too frequently, as this releases precious heat and moisture, which can significantly extend the overall cooking time and affect the final texture.

3. Dice the Ham: After the cooking cycle is complete and the vegetables are tender, carefully remove the ham bone from the slow cooker. It will be very hot, so use tongs or a slotted spoon. Allow the ham bone to cool slightly on a cutting board so it’s easier and safer to handle. Once cooled enough, use a sharp knife or your fingers to expertly shred or cut off any meaty portions of ham that have softened and separated from the bone. Dice these flavorful pieces into bite-sized chunks. Discard any remaining bone, gristle, or excess fat.

   
   

4. Combine and Serve: Stir the freshly diced ham back into the slow cooker with the tender potatoes and green beans. Give everything a good, thorough mix to ensure the ham is evenly distributed and fully warmed through. At this point, it’s crucial to taste the dish and adjust seasonings if necessary – you might find it needs a little more black pepper, a touch of extra salt (especially if you used low-sodium broth), or even a pinch of your favorite herb. Serve this hearty and satisfying dish piping hot! It’s wonderfully versatile: enjoy it as a standalone, soul-satisfying meal that truly hits the spot, or pair it with warm, crusty bread for soaking up the delicious broth and a crisp side salad for a complete and balanced dinner. This dish is perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave comforting, homemade flavors with minimal effort.

   
   

Customize Your Ham and Potato Dish: Recipe Modifications & Variations

One of the best aspects of this ham, green bean, and potato recipe is its remarkable adaptability. Feel free to adjust it to suit your personal preferences, dietary needs, or simply what you have available in your pantry. These modifications can help you tailor the dish to perfection:

• For a Brothier, More Soup-Like Consistency: If you prefer a dish with more liquid, turning it into a truly hearty soup or stew, simply increase the amount of chicken broth. You can use a full 4 cups of low-sodium chicken stock, or even combine 4 cups of stock with an additional 1-2 cups of water for an even lighter base. This will create a wonderful, comforting broth that’s perfect for dipping crusty bread or enjoying with a spoon. Just remember to taste and adjust the seasonings (especially salt and pepper) once the additional liquid has been added and warmed through, as it may dilute the existing flavors slightly.
• Using Russet Potatoes: While waxy potatoes like Yukon golds are recommended for their ability to maintain their shape and absorb flavor without becoming mushy, don’t let a lack of them deter you! If russet potatoes are what you have on hand, they will work perfectly fine. For the best texture, especially if you prefer a less starchy or “floury” result, we highly recommend peeling them before cutting them into chunks. Russets tend to break down a bit more during long cooking times, which can lead to a slightly thicker broth, but they will still contribute a delicious, comforting element to the dish.
• Using Pre-Cooked Leftover Ham (No Bone): If you’re starting with pre-diced or shredded leftover ham (such as from an Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham or a traditional Baked Ham) and don’t have a ham bone, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time to prevent the ham from drying out. To ensure everything cooks evenly and the ham remains tender, cut your potatoes into smaller, bite-sized cubes (around 1-inch) so they cook faster. Then, reduce the slow cooking time significantly, to approximately 4 hours on the LOW setting or 2 hours on the HIGH setting. Add the pre-cooked, diced ham during the last hour of cooking, giving it just enough time to warm through and infuse it with the broth’s wonderful flavors without becoming tough.
• Instant Pot Instructions for Rapid Preparation: If you’re pressed for time and need this delicious meal on the table faster, this recipe adapts beautifully to the Instant Pot.
  • With a Ham Bone: Combine the cut potatoes, green beans, chicken stock, and all seasonings in the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Carefully nestle the ham bone among the ingredients. Secure the lid, set the steam release valve to the sealing position, and pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. This method efficiently extracts maximum flavor from the ham bone.
  • With Diced Ham (No Bone): For an even quicker meal, dice your potatoes into smaller 1-½ inch chunks. Combine all ingredients (diced ham, potatoes, green beans, stock, and seasonings) in the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on HIGH pressure for a mere 2 minutes. After cooking, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. This ensures the potatoes are perfectly tender without overcooking the delicate ham.

Storing and Reheating Tips for Lasting Freshness

This ham, green bean, and potato dish is not only delicious freshly made but also fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week. Proper storage and reheating techniques will ensure it tastes just as delicious as when it was first prepared, maintaining its texture and flavor.

• Refrigerate: Once the dish has cooled completely to room temperature – this is a critical step for food safety and preventing bacterial growth – transfer the leftovers into an airtight container. Store it securely in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You might even find that the flavors deepen and meld further overnight, making it even more delicious the next day! For best quality, use within this timeframe.
• Freeze: This hearty dish freezes exceptionally well, making it a perfect candidate for future quick meals. Allow the cooked dish to cool fully before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using containers, leave about an inch of space at the top (headroom) to allow for expansion during freezing. It can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Clearly label your containers with the dish name and date for easy tracking and to ensure optimal quality.
• Reheat: The method for reheating depends on whether your leftovers are refrigerated or frozen.
  • From Refrigerator: For individual servings, transfer the desired amount to a microwave-safe bowl. Reheat in the microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring thoroughly in between, until the dish is heated through and steaming hot. For larger portions, you can gently reheat them on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of extra broth or water if the mixture seems too thick or dry to restore its original consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
  • From Freezer: If your dish is frozen, it’s always best to plan ahead and defrost it overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, follow the reheating instructions for refrigerated leftovers. If you need to reheat directly from frozen in a pinch, you can use the stovetop method on low heat, stirring occasionally and patiently until it thaws and warms through, or microwave at reduced power, allowing more time and stirring frequently.

  Always ensure the dish is heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving to ensure food safety.

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