Magical Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes for Effortless Comfort

There’s something magical about walking into a kitchen that smells like slow cooker ham and potatoes—it’s like getting a warm hug after a long day. This recipe became my go-to comfort food when my best friend showed up at my door with her slow cooker full of it one rainy evening. “Set it and forget it,” she said, and I’ve been hooked ever since. With just a few simple ingredients and almost no effort, you get a hearty, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself. Whether you’re juggling work, kids, or just life in general, this slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe is the dinner hero you didn’t know you needed.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Listen, I know life gets busy—that’s exactly why this slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe is my weeknight lifesaver. Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to it:

• Effortless prep: Just chop, dump, and walk away. Even my 10-year-old niece can handle this one (and she once tried to microwave a metal spoon).
• Comfort in a bowl: That tender ham and creamy potatoes soak up all the savory flavors while cooking—it’s like a cozy blanket for your taste buds.
• Leftover magic: Got holiday ham languishing in your fridge? This is its glorious second act. No waste, all taste.
• Forgiving timing: Forget to stir it? No problem. Running late? The slow cooker won’t judge. This dish actually gets better the longer it sits.

Seriously, if crockpots had fan clubs, this recipe would be their #1 hit. And wait till you see how the garlic and thyme make your whole house smell amazing…

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Here’s everything you’ll need to make the coziest bowl of slow cooker ham and potatoes—no fancy ingredients, just good, honest food. I swear by these exact measurements because I’ve tested them a dozen times (and burned through plenty of potatoes to get it right).

• 1 pound ham, diced – Leftover holiday ham works beautifully here (that’s my secret!), but a thick slice from the deli counter does the trick too
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed – Yukon Golds are my ride-or-die for their buttery texture, but russets hold up well too (about 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly)
• 1 onion, chopped – Yellow or white, whatever’s in your pantry crying to be used
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Or 3 if you’re feeling bold (I always am)
• 1 cup chicken broth – The flavor booster that keeps everything moist without drowning it
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme – Rub it between your fingers before adding to wake up the flavor
• 1 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly cracked if you can, but I won’t tell if you use pre-ground
• 1 teaspoon salt – Start with this, then adjust at the end—ham can be salty already

See? Nothing crazy. Just real ingredients that turn into magic after a few hours in the slow cooker.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

Okay, let’s get cooking! This slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe couldn’t be easier—just three simple steps between you and dinner bliss. I’ve made this so many times I could probably do it in my sleep (but please don’t try that).

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

First things first: grab that ham and dice it into bite-sized chunks—about ½-inch pieces work great. Too big and they’ll hog all the flavor, too small and they’ll disappear. For the potatoes, peel ’em if you want (I sometimes leave the skins on Yukon Golds for extra texture), then chop into 1-inch cubes—uniform size means even cooking. Dice the onion roughly, and don’t skimp on mincing that garlic nice and fine (trust me, lumpy garlic bites are no one’s friend).

Step 2: Layer in the Slow Cooker

Now the fun part—dump everything into your crockpot! I like to start with the potatoes on the bottom since they take longest to cook, then scatter the ham and onions over top. Sprinkle the garlic, thyme, pepper and salt evenly across everything (no clumpy spice pockets!). Pour the chicken broth in last—it’ll seep through all the layers beautifully without making things soupy.

Step 3: Cook and Serve

Pop the lid on and set it—low for 6-7 hours if you’ve got time (best flavor!), or high for 3-4 hours in a pinch. No peeking! Every lift of that lid adds 15 minutes to cooking time. You’ll know it’s done when the potatoes pierce easily with a fork. Give it one gentle stir before serving—those tender potatoes can turn to mush if you’re too vigorous. Oh, and pro tip: the leftovers taste even better next day!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

After making this slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe more times than I can count (and yes, learning from my mistakes), I’ve got some game-changing tips to share:

• Ham hack: That leftover holiday ham begging to be used? Perfect! Just trim off any super-crispy edges before dicing. The slow cooker revives it beautifully—no dry meat here.
• Spice smarts: Hold back on adding all the salt at first—ham can be salty already. Taste after 5 hours, then adjust. I always add an extra pinch of thyme at the end for a fresh aroma.
• Veggie boost: Toss in a handful of baby carrots during the last 2 hours, or frozen peas at the very end. They add color and nutrition without turning to mush.
• Broth swap: Out of chicken broth? A can of cream of celery soup mixed with ½ cup water makes a creamy alternative that my kids adore.
• Timing trick: If your potatoes aren’t quite tender when dinner time hits, crank the slow cooker to high for 30 minutes—they’ll catch up fast.

Oh, and one last thing—always serve this in bowls. Trust me, you’ll want every last drop of those delicious juices!

Variations for Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

This slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe is like your favorite pair of jeans—it looks great as is, but you can dress it up however you like! Here are my go-to twists when I’m feeling fancy:

• Sweet potato swap: Replace half the regular potatoes with orange sweet potatoes for a vitamin boost and gorgeous color contrast (they cook at the same rate!).
• Cheesy goodness: Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar during the last 30 minutes—it melts into the most glorious cheesy sauce.
• Herb garden special: Fresh rosemary or sage instead of thyme gives it a whole new personality—just add it toward the end so the flavor stays bright.

Honestly? I’ve never met a variation of this dish that wasn’t delicious. The slow cooker forgives nearly everything!

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes

This slow cooker ham and potatoes is practically begging to be served with something crusty and buttery—I’m obsessed with thick slices of warm sourdough to mop up all those savory juices. For lighter days, a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Oh, and don’t forget extra black pepper at the table—my family always fights over the grinder!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This slow cooker ham and potatoes keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days—it actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. To reheat, sprinkle with a splash of broth and microwave until steaming, or warm gently on the stove. Freeze portions for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating). My kids love finding these ready-to-go meals in the freezer on busy nights!

Slow Cooker Ham and Potatoes FAQs

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this slow cooker ham and potatoes recipe—here are the answers to the ones that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my inbox!):

• “Can I use frozen potatoes?” Sure can! No need to thaw—just add them straight from the freezer and bump up the cooking time by about 30 minutes. They’ll release extra liquid though, so maybe go easy on the broth.
• “How do I make this less salty?” Easy! Use low-sodium broth and go light on the added salt—you can always add more later. I sometimes swap half the ham for cooked chicken when I’m watching sodium.
• “Why are my potatoes still hard?” Ah, the cardinal sin of slow cooking—peeking too often! Every lid lift adds cooking time. If they’re stubborn, switch to high for the last hour and resist stirring.
• “Can I prep this overnight?” Absolutely! Layer everything except the broth in the crock insert, refrigerate overnight, then add the broth in the morning before cooking. (Bonus: Your morning self will thank you!)

Still stumped? Drop me a comment—I’ve probably made every mistake so you don’t have to!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in each comforting bowl of slow cooker ham and potatoes (based on my favorite brands and portion sizes—yours might vary slightly):

• Calories: About 320 per hearty serving
• Fat: 8g (those good ham juices do their thing!)
• Carbs: 45g from our potato friends
• Protein: 18g—not bad for comfort food!

Remember, nutrition facts change based on your specific ingredients (like that extra handful of cheese I “accidentally” add sometimes). But overall? Not too shabby for something that tastes this good!

Share Your Feedback

Did your slow cooker ham and potatoes turn out as dreamy as mine? Spill the beans in the comments—I want to hear your twists, triumphs, and even the kitchen disasters (we’ve all been there!). Your stories make my day!

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