Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans
This crockpot lil smokies potatoes and green beans dinner is a whole meal in one pot. Little smoked sausages, baby potatoes and green beans simmer in butter and seasoning until the potatoes are creamy. It is a favorite for busy weeknights and potlucks.
6
servings15
minutes6
hoursLittle smoked sausages cook with baby potatoes and green beans in butter and ranch seasoning. Everything turns tender and rich.
Ingredients
2 packages (14 oz each) little smoked sausages
1 1/2 lb baby potatoes, halved
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped in half
4 tbsp butter, cut in pieces
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 small onion, sliced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Directions
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the halved potatoes and onion to the bottom.
- Scatter the green beans over the potatoes. Place the sausages on top.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and pepper over everything.
- Dot the butter pieces across the top. Pour the broth around the edges of the pot.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
- Check the potatoes with a fork. They should slide off easily with no hard center.
- Gently stir everything so the butter and seasoning coat the vegetables.
- If you like cheese, sprinkle it on top, cover, and cook 10 minutes on HIGH until melted.
- Let the pot sit with the lid off for 5 minutes.
- Top with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Use baby red or gold potatoes, which hold their shape better than russets. Frozen green beans work if you add them in the last 90 minutes. Swap the little smokies for sliced kielbasa. Store leftovers for four days, and reheat in a skillet for browned edges.
Why this one-pot dinner works
Little smoked sausages are already cooked, so they only need to heat through and soak up seasoning. The potatoes and green beans do the real cooking, and they are exactly the kind of vegetables that love long, gentle steam. Butter and ranch seasoning coat everything as it cooks and run into the juices at the bottom.
The slow cooker keeps the potatoes creamy inside and the green beans soft, not squeaky. A pan version would need constant stirring. This crockpot lil smokies potatoes and green beans dinner needs only a stir at the end, and the pot makes its own sauce.
Ingredient notes
Little smoked sausages: Two packages give plenty for six. They are mild and slightly sweet, and they hold their shape through hours of heat.
Baby potatoes: Red or gold baby potatoes keep their shape. Halve them so they cook through at the same pace as the beans.
Fresh green beans: Trim the ends and snap them in half. Fresh beans stay firmer than canned ones, which turn gray.
Butter: Four tablespoons cut into pieces melt into the vegetables and carry the seasoning.
Ranch seasoning mix: One packet gives herbs, garlic and salt in one step. With broth and extra garlic and onion powder, it makes enough sauce without more salt.
Onion and cheddar: A sliced onion adds sweetness underneath, and the optional cheddar melts on top at the end.
Tips for the best result
Put the potatoes on the bottom: They need the most heat, and they cook in the buttery juices. The green beans and sausages go above, where steam finishes them.
Cut things the same size: Uneven potatoes mean some are hard and some are mush. Halve small ones and quarter any larger ones.
Check with a fork before stirring: The most common mistake is cooking by the clock alone. Pierce a potato at six hours. If it slides off with no hard center, it is done. Then stir gently so the butter and seasoning coat everything, and let the pot sit with the lid off for five minutes. Stir gently with a wide spoon, since the potatoes are soft and break if you push hard.
Swaps and variations
Sliced kielbasa replaces the little smokies. Frozen green beans work if you add them in the last 90 minutes. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat, or use a smoked turkey sausage for a lighter pot. Sprinkle cheddar on top and cook ten minutes on HIGH for a cheesy version.
Russet potatoes do not work well here. They break down in the long cook and turn the pot into a mash instead of tender chunks.
What to serve with it
This is a complete meal, so a simple side of sliced tomatoes or a green salad is enough. Spoon it straight from the pot into shallow bowls, scoop up the buttery juices, and sprinkle parsley on top. It also travels well to a potluck, still in its slow cooker. A bowl of ranch or sour cream with chives on the side suits the buttery vegetables, and a loaf of crusty bread soaks up what is left in the bottom of the pot.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Store leftovers for four days in the fridge. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for browned edges and crisp potatoes, which is better than the microwave.
The potatoes soften a little in the freezer, so this dish is best fresh, but you can freeze it for up to two months. Thaw overnight and reheat in a pan with a spoonful of broth.
Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 6 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 13, led by packages (14 oz each) little smoked sausages, baby potatoes, fresh green beans, butter
Tips for Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans
Use baby red or gold potatoes, which hold their shape better than russets. Frozen green beans work if you add them in the last 90 minutes. Swap the little smokies for sliced kielbasa. Store leftovers for four days, and reheat in a skillet for browned edges.
Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans FAQ
How long does Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans take?
Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans takes 6 hours of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Little Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans?
13 ingredients, led by packages (14 oz each) little smoked sausages, baby potatoes, fresh green beans, butter. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
