Southern-Style Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham is an easy, one pot recipe that makes a hardy side or one pot meal.
At our house, it’s a rare special occasion that isn’t celebrated over a big bowl of Southern-Style Green Beans with Ham. Not only does it have universal appeal, it’s an easy recipe to put together and one that feeds many.
This recipe is a work horse.
I love to grow green beans almost as much as I love to eat them.
Almost.
One thing for sure, I do love to snap green beans as much as I love to eat them.
I prefer fresh green beans to canned or frozen because I just love to snap them! It seems virtuous somehow.
If you prefer the texture of cooked green beans more on the soft side, rather than tender crisp, cook the green beans for a few minutes before adding potatoes. Also, cook green beans longer than the potatoes if you use teensy potatoes.
If your Instant Pot is your favorite kitchen gadget, try these Instant Pot Green Beans .For green beans with an international flair, try Greek Green Beans .
A whole onion in a pot of green beans might appear overpowering. Sweet onion enhances the flavor and doesn’t slap you in the face. A stronger onion might be a different story.
So, I’ve got my supper done and I’m ready to dive in. Smelling the ham cook is just about to starve me to death.
Can I use another type potato instead of red new potatoes for Southern-style Green Beans with New Potatoes and Ham?
Yes, I’ve used different varieties and had good results. Choose your favorite variety.
Can I season these green beans with bacon instead of ham?
I’d never say no to bacon.
Southern-Style Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham
If you like the texture of green beans more on the soft side than tender crisp, cook the green beans for a few minutes before adding potatoes. This recipe is great side for a special occasion or holiday meal. It’s also perfect for a weeknight one pot meal.
yield: 4 servings as a meal; 8 servings as a side
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups fully cooked diced ham
water
2 pounds fresh greens beans, washed, trimmed, and cut
1 pound small red potatoes, leave whole and remove a strip of peeling from the center
1 medium sweet onion, peeled and left whole
salt to taste
Melt butter in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium high heat.
Add ham and cook until slightly browned, stirring frequently.
Stir in a small amount of water and stir until all browned bits are loosened from the bottom of the pan.
Add green beans, potatoes, and onion.
Add salt. Cover with water.
Cover and cook on medium low until tender.
Southern-Style Green Beans and Potatoes with Ham
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups fully cooked diced ham
- water
- 2 pounds fresh greens beans washed, trimmed, and cut
- 1 pound small red potatoes leave whole and remove a strip of peeling from the center
- 1 medium sweet onion peeled and left whole
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Add ham and cook until slightly browned, stirring frequently.
- Stir in a small amount of water and stir until all browned bits are loosened from the bottom of the pan.
- Add green beans, potatoes, and onion.
- Add salt. Cover with water.
- Cover and cook on medium low until tender.
Bill Becker says
you must add Vinegar to your plate . we always did
Christine A Ryan says
The best my go too
Lynne K says
I know you posted this forever ago, so I don’t even know if you’ll get this….PLEASE forgive my ignorance – feel free to laugh – but can you tell me what you mean by “ remove a strip of peeling from the center”? (regarding the potatoes). So, you literally mean to peel the skin in just a a single strip around the middle of the potato?
Lynne K
Jackie Garvin says
Lynne,
That’s exactly what I do. It’s entirely optional and I do for aesthetics. It doesn’t effect the flavor at all.
Lynne says
Aww. Who knew?! I’ve lived in Tulsa for 16 yrs, but (unfortunately?) born/raised a yankee. LOVE it when I learn even“the little things” from beautiful people like yourself. Thank you so much for all that you share. Anyone can tell that it’s from your heart. ~ Lynne
Janell says
Can you use country ham in this?
Jackie Garvin says
You certainly can. You’d need to adjust the amount because country ham has a stronger flavor than city ham. Also, be careful with salt. County ham is very salty.
Lois M Hiscock says
What happens to the onion? Do you serve it with the beans and ham and potatoes?
Jackie Garvin says
I like to eat it.
Vicki Goins says
Adda Girl Jackie!
Jackie Garvin says
❤️❤️❤️
Bettye Juergens says
Is there an approximate time that it takes to cook on low to become tender?
Jackie Garvin says
Bettye,
There’s so many variables involved, I can’t give you a time. The best thing to do is allow a little more time than I specified in the recipe and then test for doneness along the way.