Heartwarming Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes in 10 Minutes

Oh my gosh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite “set it and forget it” meal – slow cooker ham and potatoes! There was this one crazy winter when my kids had back-to-back soccer games, and this lifesaver of a dish became our weekly tradition. Just toss everything in the pot before leaving the house, and when you walk back in? Boom. Your whole place smells like Sunday dinner at grandma’s.

What I love most is how this humble combo of ham, potatoes and onions transforms into something magical with just a few hours in the crockpot. The potatoes soak up all that savory ham flavor while staying perfectly tender. And the best part? You probably have most of these ingredients sitting in your fridge right now – especially after holidays when you’re staring at that leftover ham!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

This recipe has become my go-to for so many reasons – let me count the ways:

• Dump-and-go easy: Literally toss everything in the slow cooker in 10 minutes flat – no fancy techniques or constant stirring!
• Comfort food magic: That heavenly aroma fills your house all day, and the flavors just get better the longer it cooks.
• Leftover superhero: Turns that holiday ham into a whole new meal that tastes like you spent hours cooking.
• Weeknight lifesaver: Comes together while you’re at work or running errands – dinner’s ready when you are.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cozy meal – I promise it’s all simple stuff:

• 1.5 lbs cooked ham, cubed (leftover holiday ham works perfectly!)
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch chunks (trust me, peel them – the skins get weirdly tough in the slow cooker)
• 1 onion, chopped (any color works, but I love sweet yellow onions here)
• 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if you’re watching salt)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (rub it between your fingers to wake up the flavor)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you have it)
• 1/4 tsp salt (go easy – ham’s already salty)

See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients that do all the work while you go about your day.

Equipment Needed

You really only need a few basics for this recipe – nothing fancy! Here’s what I always grab:

• Slow cooker (mine’s a 6-quart, but any size works as long as everything fits)
• Cutting board and sharp knife for prepping the veggies and ham
• Measuring spoons for the seasonings
• Wooden spoon for stirring before serving

That’s it! No special gadgets required – just the tools you probably already have in your kitchen.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Okay, here’s where the magic happens! I’m going to walk you through each step – it’s so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making this every week. Just follow along and you’ll have the most comforting meal ready with almost no effort.

Step 1: Layer the Ingredients

First things first – let’s build our flavor foundation! Grab your slow cooker and start layering:

• Spread the cubed ham evenly across the bottom – this helps prevent potatoes from sticking
• Next comes your diced potatoes – try to distribute them evenly so they cook uniformly
• Scatter the chopped onion over the top (don’t worry about mixing yet!)

Pro tip: If your potatoes are looking dry, give them a quick rinse after dicing – the extra moisture helps create steam during cooking.

Step 2: Add Broth and Seasonings

Now for the liquid gold! Slowly pour the chicken broth over everything – I like to go in a circular motion to cover as much surface area as possible.

Then comes the flavor party:

• Sprinkle garlic powder evenly across the top
• Follow with thyme, black pepper, and that pinch of salt

Here’s my little secret: I never stir at this point! The broth will seep down naturally, and stirring now can break up the potatoes.

Step 3: Cook and Serve

Pop the lid on and let time do its thing:

• • Low and slow: 6-8 hours for ultra-tender potatoes that melt in your mouth

Fast track: 3-4 hours on high if you’re in a hurry (potatoes will be slightly firmer)

When you’re ready to eat, give everything a gentle stir – you’ll see how beautifully the flavors have married. The potatoes should be fork-tender and the ham will be infused with all those wonderful spices. Serve it up piping hot – maybe with an extra sprinkle of fresh thyme if you’re feeling fancy!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

After making this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks to guarantee amazing results every time:

• Leftover ham is gold: That holiday spiral ham? Perfect! Just trim off any glaze first so it doesn’t make the dish too sweet.
• Size matters: Cut potatoes about 1-inch thick – too small and they’ll turn to mush, too big and they won’t cook through.
• Veggie boost: Toss in a handful of baby carrots or green beans during the last hour for extra color and nutrition.
• Broth check: If things look dry halfway through, add a splash more broth – slow cookers can vary in evaporation.

Variations for Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Want to mix things up? This recipe is crazy flexible! Here are my favorite twists:

• Sweet potato swap: Use half sweet potatoes for a touch of natural sweetness that pairs amazingly with the ham
• Herb remix: Try rosemary instead of thyme for a more robust flavor – smells incredible while cooking!
• Creamy version: Stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup with the broth for extra richness
• Veggie-loaded: Add frozen peas or corn during the last 30 minutes for color and crunch

The best part? You can’t really mess it up – just adjust to your family’s tastes!

Serving Suggestions

This cozy ham and potatoes dish is perfect all on its own, but I love rounding it out with some crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth and a simple green salad for freshness. My family goes wild when I serve it with warm dinner rolls and honey butter – total comfort food heaven!

Storing and Reheating Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Here’s the beautiful thing about this dish – it gets even better as leftovers! Store cooled portions in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, I splash in a tablespoon of broth or water to keep everything moist – microwaving works, but gently warming on the stovetop is my favorite.

Freezing? Absolutely! Portion it out and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat slowly – the potatoes stay surprisingly tender. Just avoid freezing any leftovers more than once, or the texture gets a little grainy.

Nutritional Information

Just a heads up – these numbers are estimates and will vary based on your specific ingredients (like ham saltiness or potato size). But here’s the general breakdown per 1-cup serving:

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 4g

Using low-sodium broth cuts the sodium down to about 600mg – still plenty flavorful!

Frequently Asked Questions

I get asked about this recipe all the time – here are the most common questions that pop up (and my tried-and-true answers!):

Can I use raw ham instead of cooked?
Oh honey, no! Raw ham needs completely different cooking times and temperatures. Stick with fully cooked ham – whether it’s leftovers or store-bought pre-cooked cubes. Trust me, raw pork in the slow cooker is a food safety gamble you don’t want to take.

How long do leftovers keep in the fridge?
This stuff actually improves overnight! Store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors meld even more – just add a splash of broth when reheating to bring it back to life.

Can I prepare this the night before?
Absolutely! I often assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before, pop the whole thing in the fridge, then just slide it into the base in the morning. Easy peasy – just add 30 extra minutes to the cook time since it’s starting cold.

Why do my potatoes sometimes turn out mushy?
Ah, the dreaded potato mush! Two likely culprits: either you cut them too small (aim for 1-inch chunks) or cooked them too long. Every slow cooker runs a bit different – start checking at 5 hours on low if yours tends to run hot.

Can I make this without potatoes?
Sure thing! Swap in peeled and chopped parsnips or turnips for a lower-carb option. They hold up beautifully to long cooking and soak up all that ham flavor just as well as potatoes do.

Share Your Experience

Did you make this cozy ham and potatoes? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment or rating below – your tips might help other home cooks too.

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