Slow Cooker Amish Ham and Green Beans
There’s something about a slow cooker meal that feels like a hug. The way savory aromas drift through the kitchen all day. The moment you lift the lid to find tender meat and vegetables nestled in rich broth. Dinner is ready when you are—with almost no effort.
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This Slow Cooker Amish Ham and Green Beans is exactly that kind of meal: humble, practical, and deeply satisfying. It’s the sort of dish that’s been warming families for generations in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
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My grandmother made it every Sunday. She’d toss a ham hock, green beans, and potatoes into her old Crock-Pot before church. By the time we came home, the house smelled like heaven. The ham was falling off the bone, the beans were smoky and tender, and the potatoes had soaked up every drop of flavor. We’d eat it with crusty bread and butter—and there were never leftovers.
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This recipe is simple. Affordable. Foolproof. And it tastes like a time capsule of rural American cooking.
Slow Cooker Amish Ham & Green Beans
🥘 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ham hocks, shanks, or leftover ham | 1 lb (450g) | Smoked ham is best |
| Green beans | 1 lb | Trimmed & snapped (fresh or thawed frozen) |
| Small potatoes | 1 lb | Halved/quartered (Yukon Gold or red) |
| Chicken or vegetable broth | 4 cups | Low-sodium preferred |
| Onion | 1 medium | Chopped (optional, recommended) |
| Garlic | 2 cloves | Minced (optional) |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp | To taste |
| Apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp | Optional, adds brightness |
Substitutions & Swaps:
- No ham hocks? Use a meaty ham bone, chunks of ham steak, or smoked turkey wings.
- No fresh beans? Frozen or canned (drained) work—adjust cook time.
- No potatoes? Try carrots, sweet potatoes, or skip them.
- No broth? Use water + 2 tsp bouillon.
- Add more veggies: carrots, celery, or turnips fit right in.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prep
Rinse beans, snap ends, cut into 1–2 inch pieces. Scrub and cut potatoes. Chop onion, mince garlic.
Step 2: Layer
Place ham at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add beans, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
Step 3: Add Liquid
Pour broth over everything. Sprinkle in pepper and vinegar (if using). Stir gently.
Pro tip: Don’t add salt yet—ham is naturally salty.
Step 4: Cook Low & Slow
Cover and cook:
- LOW for 6–8 hours
- HIGH for 3–4 hours
Ham should be fall-apart tender, potatoes fork-soft.
Step 5: Remove Bones
If using ham hocks/bones, remove, cool slightly, pick off meat, discard bones, return meat to pot.
Step 6: Taste & Adjust
Check broth. Add salt only if needed. More pepper or vinegar can brighten flavors.
Step 7: Serve
Ladle into bowls. Pair with crusty bread or cornbread. Classic Amish sides: pickled beets or coleslaw.
✨ This dish is proof that the simplest ingredients, cooked patiently, can deliver the deepest comfort.
