Ham with green beans and potatoes is easy and delicious one-pot meal. With both ham hocks and leftover ham, this old-fashioned southern recipe is a filling and satisfying one-pot meal that your family will love. I used frozen green beans to make this recipe super quick and simple, but you can use fresh as well. If you want to learn how to make ham with green beans and potatoes on the stove, keep reading!
What Is Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes?
Ham with green beans and potatoes is an old-fashioned dish that’s made by boiling green beans with chunks of potatoes and ham on the stove. The result is a thick stew, similar to pinto beans with ham, that’s flavorful and filling. Although it’s great when served with cornbread, it can be a one-pot meal, too.
Is Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes PA Dutch?
Yes! Ham, green beans and potatoes is a classic PA dish. In fact, Lori Fogg of ACoalCrackerInTheKitche.com says that Pennsylvania Dutch green beans with potatoes and ham is a popular dish in the Pennsylvania Dutch and Coal Regions of eastern Pennsylvania. Since this dish is so versatile, she’s used everything from smoked ham hocks to leftover holiday ham to make it.
Southern Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes
Although this dish is definitely common in the northeastern United States, many southern cooks make it as well. In fact, writer of the TheSouthernLadyCooks.com recipe says that her mom used to made this dish with salt pork, pork jowl, or bacon and then serve it with cornbread muffins.
Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes on the Stove Ingredients
My ham with green beans and potatoes on the stove recipe is easy one-pot meal because it only has a few, simply ingredients:
Ham Meat – 1 cup, about 1/2 pound. I used shredded leftover ham, but cubed ham steak is OK, too.
Ham Hock – 3/4 lb. A little bit bigger or smaller is perfectly fine.
Green Beans – 2 lbs. I used frozen, but you can use fresh, too.
Potatoes – 1.5 lbs. I used a mix of red and yellow potatoes for the color.
Vegetable Stock – about 3 cups. I used homemade vegetable stock, but storebought is fine.
Onion – 1 medium onion, about 1/2 pound, chopped.
Garlic – 5 cloves, chopped.
Black Pepper – 1 teaspoon
Garlic Powder – 1 teaspoon
Onion Powder – 1 teaspoon
Optional Ingredients:
Onion Soup Mix – 1 oz packet. Onion soup mix is a secret ingredient in many southern recipes.
Sugar – 1 teaspoon. A bit of sugar helps to bring out the flavor.
Tools:
Large Pot – Make sure your pot is big enough for the green beans, potatoes, and ham. I used the same Dutch oven I normally use for soups, stews, and beans.
Wood Spoon – A big wooden spoon to stir the pot when it’s on the stove will come very handy.
How to Make Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes on the Stove
Learning how to make southern ham with green beans and potatoes is easy if you follow my instructions:
Make the Ham Hock Stock
The first step in my ham with green beans and potatoes recipe is making the ham hock stock. I made the stock by boiling a ham hock in homemade vegetable stock on medium heat for 2 hours, stirring the pot and flipping over the ham hock every once in a while to make sure it cooked evenly.
You can definitely use storebought stock, too–I would just recommend adding 2 or 3 bay leaves. Bay leaves are secret ingredients in many recipes since they give a depth of flavor in the background that’s hard to identify, so adding a few will definitely make your stock taste more homemade.
I had some things to do, so after boiling the ham hock for 2 hours, I turned off the heat and let the stock come down to room temperature.
Don’t Overfill the Pot
When making the ham hock stove on the stove, I only filled the pot 1/2 way full, and I was very cautious about adding more water until the potatoes and ham were in the pot. This is because I didn’t want the pot to overflow. If you don’t your pot to spill over, I recommend adding extra water only when necessary.
Add Chopped Garlic and Onion
Once the ham hock stock is done, it’s time to add chopped garlic and onion. I wanted the garlic and onions to get a bit of a head start, so I turned on the stove and brought the pot to a boil again before adding the frozen green beans.
Add the Frozen Green Beans
When the pot came to a boil again, I added the 2 lbs of frozen green beans.
Do You Have To Thaw the Frozen Green Beans First?
No. Since you’re going to cook the green beans on the stove, there’s no need to thaw them before adding them to the pot. All you have to do is open the bags and dump the green beans into the pot.
What Kind of Frozen Green Beans Should I Use?
My bags were labeled as “cut green beans;” basically, they were green beans cut into 1 or 2-inch pieces. I think French-style green beans would be good in this recipe as well–but since the pieces are smaller, the cooking time might be a bit shorter.
Add the Spices (and Onion Soup Mix and Sugar, If Using)
After adding the green beans, I then added the black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Although I didn’t add the onion soup mix and sugar at this point, you can add it now as well, if using.
Boil the Green Beans for 1 Hour
Once the green beans are in the pot, cook them for 1 hour on medium heat. Just to clarify, I didn’t time the hour when the water started boiling again: I timed 60 minutes from the time the green beans entered the pot.
Cut the Potatoes into Chunks
As the 1 hour comes to an end, it’s a good time to start cutting the potatoes into 1/2-inch chunks. Although the chunks don’t all have to be the exact same size, you do want the chunks to be roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
I recommend cutting up the potatoes at this point in the recipe so that they don’t sit out for an extended period of time and turn brown. If you want to cut up the potatoes earlier, make sure that you put the chunks in water to keep them from browning.
Take the Ham Hock Out of the Pot (to Make Room for the Potatoes)
Before adding the potatoes to the green beans, take the ham hock out of the pot. This will not only make room for the potatoes but also give the ham hock time to cool down so you can cut off the meat.
Add the Potatoes and Cook for 30 Minutes
After the green beans have cooked on medium heat for 1 hour, add the chunks of potatoes to the pot. Be sure to mix them into the green beans thoroughly. Cook the potatoes for 30 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally to make sure all the potatoes and green beans cook evenly.
Add Ham / Cubed Ham Steak
Once the potatoes are in the pot, add the leftover ham shank or cubed ham steak to the pot.
Take the Meat Off the Ham Hocks and Add the Meat to the Pot
At this point, the ham hock should be cool enough to handle, so use a fork and knife to tear off the meat. Then, add the ham hock meat to the pot along with the other ham.
Can I Put the Whole Ham Hock Back in the Pot?
Although you can put the whole ham hock back in the pot on the stove, I personally don’t recommend it. Ham hocks are mostly skin, fat, and bone, so at this point, it would probably just take up space in the pot.
Serve
The potatoes should be done within 30 minutes. Once your ham with green beans and potatoes is done, it’s time to serve!
Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe FAQ’s
What Goes with Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes?
Although a large bowl of this is hearty and filling enough to be a one-pot meal, here are some sides that would go very well with this southern classic:
Skillet Cornbread – Crumbling some southern cornbread into your bowl is a good way to soak up the broth.
Biscuits – Biscuits make any meal more filling, and this dish is no exception.
Rice – Whether you make white or brown rice, it would definitely be a nice addition.
How Long to Cook Ham Green with Beans and Potatoes on the Stove Top?
Not counting the ham hock stock, it takes 1.5 hours to cook ham with green beans and potatoes on the stove. This recipe calls for cooking the green beans longer than the potatoes, so the time breakdown is:
Ham Hock Stock – About 1 hour of boiling
Green Beans – 1.5 hours total
Potatoes – 1/2 hour, so add the potato chunks after the green beans have cooked for 1 hour.
If making a ham hock stock, this recipe will probably take a total of 3 hours from start to finish.
How Many Servings Does This Recipe Make?
Although it depends on the serving size, I think that this recipe would make 6-8 portions which, if served with a slice of cornbread or scoop of rice, would be enough for a full meal.
How to Store Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes?
Once the pot cools down to room temperature, store your ham with green beans and potatoes in the refrigerator, covered.
How Long Does Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes Keep?
If kept in the refrigerator, ham with green beans and potatoes should keep for 2-3 days. After that, it will start to lose flavor.
Can You Freeze Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes?
Yes! To freeze ham, green beans, and potatoes, simply ladle individual portions into freezer-safe containers–after the soup cools down, of course–and put the containers into the freezer. The soup should maintain its quality for 2-3 months.
Can You Make Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes in a Crock Pot?
Yes! You could definitely make this recipe in a crock pot. Since I don’t have my own recipe–yet–,this SavoryWithSoul.com crockpot green beans with ham and potatoes version is worth a look.
Can You Make Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Even though I’ve never made this dish in an instant pot, this FlavorMosaic.com instant pot recipe shows that it’s possible. If you make my recipe in an instant pot, let me know how it turns out!
Can You Make This Recipe with Canned Green Beans?
Yes! In fact, making ham with canned green beans and potatoes is a lot faster. I think you could follow the recipe exactly the same, using 2 lbs of canned green beans in place of fresh or frozen.
I would only cook the canned green beans for 1 hour on the stove if using regular cut green beans, just 1/2 hour if using French-style. Remembering that the potato chunks only take about 30 minutes to cook, using canned green beans gives you the ability to possible make dinner in just half an hour.
Since you’d be boiling the chopped garlic and onions for less time, you might want to boil them for about 30 minutes on their own, maybe 1 full hour. However, if you don’t mind the aromatic herbs being a bit more pronounced, you can follow the recipe in this article exactly.
Do You Have to Use Ham Hock in this Recipe?
No, but I recommend it. If all you has is cubed ham steak or leftover ham, you can still make this recipe, but I think that ham hock will add a depth of smoky ham flavor that almost nothing else can.
Can I Use a Ham Bone in this Recipe?
Yes! You can definitely use a meaty ham bone in this green beans and potatoes recipe and leave out both the ham hock and extra ham.
Can I Make This Recipe with Cubed Ham Steak?
Yes! If you don’t have leftover ham at home, you can definitely buy a ham steak and cut it into smaller pieces and use that.
What Is The Best Kind of Potatoes To Use for this Recipe?
Almost any kind! I think that you can add pretty much whatever potatoes you have on hand to this ham and green beans recipe. Personally, I would go with Yukon gold and red skin potatoes for the color contrast, but you can definitely use all Russet potatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Spice Up Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Although the ham hock, onion soup mix, and spices gave the green beans plenty of flavor, there are a few things you can add if you want to take the flavor to the next level, especially if you like spice:
Crushed Red Pepper – Crushed red pepper is a lot more powerful than it looks, so be careful. I wouldn’t add more than 1/2 teaspoon to the pot.
Hot Sauce – Just like southern-style collard greens, a few dashes of hot sauce really make a bowl of green beans and ham come alive.
A Chef’s Review
My ham with green beans and potatoes on the stove recipe turned out great. The smoky, salty ham hock flavored the broth and permeated the vegetables, giving this dish an incredible depth of flavor. Although green beans and potatoes are filling on their own, the addition of extra ham really made this hearty and satisfying.
The texture was very nice, too. The green beans were tender and the potatoes soft but neither was mushy, so the two textures complemented each other perfectly. I thought that the potato chunks were just the right size, too: large enough to see in the pot or bowl, but small enough to eat with the green beans.
Even though a bowl of this soup / stew could definitely be a meal on its own, serving it with cornbread, rice, or biscuits would really make it complete. Honestly, there’s nothing better than crumbling southern-style cornbread into a bowl of beans to soak up the broth.
Like I said, this ham with green beans and potatoes recipe tasted great–and since I used frozen green beans, it was easy, too. However, one drawback is that this old-fashioned stove top recipe will probably take 2.5-3 hours of cooking time–making the homemade ham hock stock really adds to the time. But if you make this recipe in a crock pot or instant pot, the time issue becomes less important.
Overall, I really liked how this turned out. It was hearty, satisfying, and had plenty of old-fashioned southern flavor. This dish is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for a southern-style one-pot meal.
Possible Changes to the Recipe
Although I thought this turned out great, possible changes to the recipe include:
Apple Cider Vinegar – A bit of acidity would help bring out the flavor. You could add a Tablespoon or two right before serving, or drizzle some in a bowl once the green beans and potatoes are served.
Chicken Stock – Using chicken stock instead of vegetable stock would add even more depth of flavor.
Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe Variations
If you liked this green beans with potatoes and ham recipe, you might like these other variations:
Cheesy Casserole – With a cheesy sauce and breadcrumb topping, this recipe by Lydia of ThriftyFrugalMom.com is full of flavor.
Smoked Turkey – You don’t like ham, smoked turkey is another good way to add smoky flavor. I recommend turkey wings or legs since they’re nice and meaty.
More Ham and Bean Recipes
If you’re craving southern-style ham and bean recipes on the stove, here are a few more you might like:
Pinto Beans and Ham – Once again, a combination of ham hock and leftover ham make this amazing.
Navy Beans and Ham – This recipe gives a somewhat bland bean a ton of flavor.
Other Frozen Bean Recipes
If you like using frozen beans, you’re going to want to try these other recipes, too:
Frozen Purple Hull Peas – This southern summertime classic can be made at any time of the year.
Lima Beans and Ham – Similar to this recipe, a bit of sugar is the secret ingredient.
Ham with Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe Directions
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ham meat (leftover ham, cubed ham steak, etc.)
- 1 3/4 pound ham hock
- 2 lbs green beans (908g) – I used frozen, but you can use fresh, or even canned green beans
- 1.5 lbs potatoes (I used a mix of yellow and red)
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 pound)
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Make a ham hock stock by boiling the ham hock in the vegetable stock for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Although you technically don’t have to let the stock cool down, I turned the stove off and let the stock cool down after boiling for 1 hour.
- Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot and bring the pot to a boil.
- Once the pot on the stove has come to a boil, add the green beans and cook the green beans for 1 hour.
- In about 1 hour, remove the ham hock so it can cool down.
- After cooking the green beans for 1 hour, cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch chunks and add the potatoes to the pot. Cook for 30 minutes.
- As the potatoes are cooking, cut the meat off the ham hock and add it to the pot.
- Also, add the extra ham at this time, too.
- Once the potatoes have cooked for 30 minutes, they should be cooked through, so test for doneness.
- Serve: I recommend cornbread or rice on the side.
YouTube Video
Be sure to watch my YouTube video tutorial:
