Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans recipe is the epitome of a “set it and forget it” meal. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you get a hearty, comforting dish that the whole family will love. Just a few simple ingredients transform into a savory, satisfying meal, all thanks to the magic of your slow cooker. It’s the perfect solution for busy days when you crave a home-cooked dinner without the fuss.
We’re talking tender potatoes, crisp-tender green beans, and smoky, savory kielbasa sausage all slow-cooked to perfection in a delicious garlic and herb broth. This one-pot wonder saves you time on cleanup and delivers a perfectly balanced meal. Let’s dive into making this incredibly simple and flavorful dish.
Why This Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s a true dump-and-go meal, requiring just 15 minutes of prep. The slow cooker does all the work, melding the smoky sausage, earthy potatoes, and fresh green beans into a harmonious and delicious dinner. It’s a budget-friendly meal that uses pantry staples to create something truly special. This is the kind of comfort food that brings everyone to the table.
The Core Ingredients for This One-Pot Wonder
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of core ingredients to create a memorable meal. Here’s what you’ll need and why each component is important.
Choosing Your Kielbasa
Kielbasa, a Polish sausage, is the star of the show. It’s typically pre-cooked, so it just needs to be heated through. Its smoky, garlicky flavor infuses the entire dish. You can use traditional pork kielbasa, a turkey version for a lighter option, or even a spicy andouille for a little kick.
The Best Potatoes for Your Slow Cooker
For slow cooking, you want potatoes that hold their shape. Waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds or red potatoes are perfect. They become tender without turning to mush, unlike starchy Russet potatoes. I recommend cutting them into uniform 1-inch chunks for even cooking.
Fresh, Frozen, or Canned Green Beans?
You have options! Fresh green beans will give you the best crisp-tender texture. However, frozen green beans are a fantastic, convenient alternative. If you use canned green beans, be sure to drain them well and add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
How to Make Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes and Green Beans Step-by-Step
This recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. Just a little bit of prep and your slow cooker handles the rest. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by slicing your kielbasa into ½-inch thick rounds. Next, wash and chop your potatoes into 1-inch cubes (no need to peel them!). Dice your onion and mince the garlic. If using fresh green beans, trim the ends.
Step 2: Layer the Crockpot
Place the sliced kielbasa, cubed potatoes, and diced onion into the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over the top.
Step 3: Add Liquid and Cook
Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients in the crockpot. Give everything a gentle stir to combine. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 4: Add Green Beans
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, add the green beans to the crockpot. Stir them in gently. This ensures they cook until crisp-tender without becoming mushy. Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, your dinner is ready to serve!
Tips for the Perfect Result
Even the simplest recipes have a few tricks to make them shine. Here are my top tips for guaranteeing your Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans turns out perfectly every time.
- Don’t Overcook the Green Beans: Adding them at the end is key to a great texture. No one likes mushy green beans!
- Cut Uniformly: Ensure your potatoes and kielbasa are cut to a similar size for even cooking.
- Sear the Sausage (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, quickly brown the kielbasa slices in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot.
- Check for Doneness: Always test a potato with a fork to ensure it’s tender before serving. Cooking times can vary slightly between slow cooker models.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. For another hearty and flavorful slow cooker meal, you might enjoy these Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Make it Creamy: For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a can of condensed cream of chicken soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking along with the green beans.
- Add a Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top about 15 minutes before serving. Let it melt into a gooey, delicious topping. Speaking of cheesy goodness, this crockpot loaded baked potato soup (coming soon) is another must-try.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce with the other seasonings for a spicy kick.
- Introduce Other Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like sliced carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms at the beginning of the cooking time.
If you enjoy the combination of sausage and potatoes, our sausage and hashbrown casserole makes for a perfect breakfast-for-dinner option!
What to Serve with Your Meal
This is a complete one-pot meal, but a simple side can round it out beautifully. A fresh garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing, some crusty bread for sopping up the delicious broth, or a side of applesauce are all excellent choices.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave individual portions until heated through. The flavors often taste even better the next day!
Yes! To make a creamy version, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or one 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken or celery soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Let it heat through until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Yes, absolutely! Frozen green beans are a great substitute. Add them during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, just as you would with fresh ones, to ensure they don’t overcook.
The dish is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the size of your potato chunks, so it’s always best to test a potato before serving.
Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes are the best choice. They hold their shape well during the long cooking process and become tender without turning mushy like starchier potatoes (e.g., Russets) might.
While kielbasa is traditional, you can easily substitute it with other smoked sausages like andouille for a spicy kick, turkey sausage for a lighter option, or any other pre-cooked sausage you enjoy.
Yes! To make a creamy version, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or one 10.5-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken or celery soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Let it heat through until the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Yes, absolutely! Frozen green beans are a great substitute. Add them during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, just as you would with fresh ones, to ensure they don’t overcook.
The dish is ready when the potatoes are fork-tender. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the size of your potato chunks, so it’s always best to test a potato before serving.
Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes are the best choice. They hold their shape well during the long cooking process and become tender without turning mushy like starchier potatoes (e.g., Russets) might.
While kielbasa is traditional, you can easily substitute it with other smoked sausages like andouille for a spicy kick, turkey sausage for a lighter option, or any other pre-cooked sausage you enjoy.
Your New Go-To Slow Cooker Dinner
This Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans recipe is a true game-changer for busy households. It’s a nutritious, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal that you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments!
If you loved this recipe, please share it with your friends and family or save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans: The Easiest One-Pot Meal
This Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans is the ultimate easy and flavorful one-pot meal. Tender potatoes, smoky sausage, and crisp green beans slow-cooked to perfection in a savory garlic herb broth. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch rounds. Wash and chop potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Place the sliced kielbasa, cubed potatoes, and diced onion in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients and stir to combine. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the trimmed green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Continue to cook until the green beans are crisp-tender.
- Stir everything once more, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
Tip 1: For extra flavor, you can sear the kielbasa slices in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
Tip 2: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best as they hold their shape well during slow cooking.
Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Crockpot Kielbasa Potatoes Green Beans: The Easiest One-Pot Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch rounds. Wash and chop potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Place the sliced kielbasa, cubed potatoes, and diced onion in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients and stir to combine. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the trimmed green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Continue to cook until the green beans are crisp-tender.
- Stir everything once more, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
Tip 2: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best as they hold their shape well during slow cooking.
Tip 3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
