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For the Slow Cooker Ham and Green Beans:
1 lb (450g) ham hocks, ham shanks, or leftover ham (smoked ham is best)
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped (or frozen, thawed)
1 lb small potatoes, halved or quartered (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)
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4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium is best)
1 medium onion, chopped (optional, but recommended)
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (adds brightness)
Substitutions & Swaps:
No ham hocks? Use a meaty ham bone, leftover ham steak cut into chunks, or even smoked turkey wings.
No fresh green beans? Use frozen or canned (drained). Adjust cook time accordingly.
No potatoes? Use sweet potatoes, carrots, or leave them out.
No chicken broth? Use water + 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon.
Add more vegetables: Carrots, celery, or turnips work beautifully.
Step-by-Step – Dump, Cook, Enjoy
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Rinse the green beans and snap off the stem ends. Cut them into 1-2 inch pieces. Scrub the potatoes and cut them into halves or quarters (leave skins on). Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Step 2: Layer in the Slow Cooker
Place the ham hocks (or ham pieces) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the green beans, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
Step 3: Add the Liquid
Pour the chicken broth over everything. Add the black pepper and apple cider vinegar (if using). Give it a gentle stir.
Pro tip: Don’t add extra salt until the end. Ham is already salty, and the broth may have enough sodium.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The ham should be fall-apart tender, and the potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork.
Step 5: Remove Ham Bones (If Using)
If you used ham hocks or a ham bone, carefully remove them from the slow cooker. Let them cool slightly, then pick off any meat. Discard the bones and return the meat to the pot.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust Seasoning
Taste the broth. Add salt if needed (remember, the ham is salty). Add more pepper or a splash of vinegar to brighten the flavors.
Step 7: Serve
Ladle into deep bowls. Serve with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the broth. A side of pickled beets or coleslaw is a classic Amish pairing.
My Best Tips for Slow Cooker Success
Use smoked ham. The smokiness is essential to the flavor. Don’t use fresh, uncured ham.
Don’t skip the onion and garlic. They add depth. If you’re out of fresh, use 1 teaspoon each of dried onion and garlic powder.
Add the vinegar. It sounds strange, but a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens the whole dish and balances the richness.
Don’t overcook the green beans. If you like them with a little crunch, add them in the last 2 hours of cooking instead of at the beginning.
Make it a meal. This dish is a complete dinner on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with cornbread, biscuits, or a simple green salad.
The History of Amish Cooking (A Quick Background)
The Amish are known for their simple, hearty, from-scratch cooking. Rooted in practicality, frugality, and tradition, Amish meals are designed to feed large families with ingredients grown on their own farms.
Ham and green beans is a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dish. It evolved from the need to preserve meat (smoking and salting ham) and use up garden vegetables (green beans, potatoes, onions). Everything cooks together in one pot, making it efficient for large families and farmhands.
This slow cooker version honors that tradition while making it accessible to modern home cooks.
Fun Variations (Once You’ve Mastered the Original)
Smoky Ham and Bean Soup – Add 1 cup of dried white beans (soaked overnight). Increase broth to 6 cups. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Ham, Green Bean, and Potato Skillet – After slow cooking, transfer the ham and vegetables to a hot skillet. Sear until crispy. Serve with fried eggs for breakfast.
Spicy Ham and Greens – Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1 diced jalapeño. Use collard greens instead of green beans.
Creamy Ham and Green Beans – Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Ham and Green Bean Casserole – Thicken the broth with a cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water). Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and broil until golden.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Ham and Green Beans
Cornbread or buttermilk biscuits – For sopping up the broth
Pickled beets or pickled eggs – A classic Amish pairing
Coleslaw – Adds crunch and acidity
Apple sauce – Sweet and tangy, balances the saltiness of the ham
Crusty bread – Any bread will do
A simple green salad – With a lemony vinaigrette
How to Store, Reheat, and Make Ahead
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will meld and improve.
Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating (stovetop): Reheat in a pot over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.
Reheating (microwave): Individual portions take 2-3 minutes.
Make ahead for busy weeks: Make a double batch on Sunday. Portion into containers for easy lunches and dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned green beans instead of fresh?
Yes. Drain them and add during the last 30 minutes of cooking (they’re already cooked and can turn mushy).
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes. No need to thaw. Add them frozen. Cook time remains the same.
Why are my green beans mushy?
You overcooked them. Next time, add them in the last 2 hours of cooking instead of at the beginning.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes. Use the sauté function to brown the ham first. Add the remaining ingredients. Pressure cook on HIGH for 25 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes.
What’s the best ham to use?
Smoked ham hocks or ham shanks add the most flavor. Leftover ham steak works well too, but it won’t be as rich.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as written. Check your broth and ham for any hidden additives.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. Carrots, celery, turnips, and even cabbage work beautifully.
A Hearty, Humble, Hug in a Bowl
Here’s what I love most about this Slow Cooker Amish Ham and Green Beans.
It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s not trying to be gourmet. It’s just good. The kind of good that reminds you of Sunday dinners at your grandmother’s house. The kind of good that fills your kitchen with warmth and your belly with comfort.
My grandmother passed away years ago. But every time I make this dish, I think of her. I think of her old Crock-Pot with the chipped handle. I think of the way she’d lift the lid and let the steam fog up her glasses. I think of the way she’d say, “Eat up, there’s plenty.”
She was right. There’s always plenty.
Now it’s your turn.
Did you make this Slow Cooker Ham and Green Beans? I’d love to know. Did you add potatoes? Use smoked ham hocks? Eat it with cornbread? Drop a comment below – I read every single one.
And if this recipe earns a spot at your family table, please share it with a friend who loves simple, hearty meals. A text, a pin, a shared link. Good recipes are meant to be passed down.
Now go plug in that slow cooker. Dinner is waiting. 🍖🫘🥔✨
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