There are some nights when you want a warm, filling dinner without spending an hour standing over the stove. That is exactly where this Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans recipe comes in.
This easy slow cooker dinner combines smoky beef sausage, tender baby potatoes, and green beans in one pot. There is very little prep work, the ingredient list is short, and the Crockpot handles almost all of the cooking.
It is the kind of uncomplicated comfort food that works for busy weekdays, lazy weekends, potlucks, or those days when you simply don’t feel like cooking.
Even better, this recipe is easy to customize. You can make the original three-ingredient version or add butter, garlic, onion, and seasonings for a little extra flavor.
If you’re looking for an easy Crockpot sausage and potatoes recipe, this is one worth keeping.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Beef Smokies Recipe
Some slow cooker recipes have ingredient lists a mile long. This isn’t one of them.
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Table of Contents
The basic version requires only:
- Beef Smokies
- Baby potatoes
- Green beans
That’s it.
Put everything into your slow cooker, turn it on, and give the potatoes enough time to become fork-tender.
This recipe is especially convenient because the Beef Smokies are already cooked. You’re mainly allowing the potatoes to cook while all those smoky flavors mingle together.
It’s also a complete meal in one Crockpot. You have meat, potatoes, and vegetables without needing several pots and pans.
Ingredients for Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans
1 Package Beef Smokies
Beef Smokies give this dish most of its savory, smoky flavor.
You can leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces. Cutting them in half or into bite-sized chunks helps distribute the sausage throughout the Crockpot and makes the finished dish easier to serve.
If your package size varies slightly, don’t worry. This is a forgiving recipe.
1 Pound Baby Potatoes
Baby potatoes are perfect for slow cooking because they hold their shape well while becoming soft and creamy inside.
Red, yellow, or mixed baby potatoes will all work.
Cut larger potatoes in half so they cook evenly. Very small potatoes can usually remain whole.
Try to keep the potato pieces approximately the same size.
1 Can Green Beans
Drain the green beans before adding them to the slow cooker.
Canned green beans make this recipe particularly easy because there’s no washing, trimming, or chopping required.
They’ll become very tender during the long cooking time and absorb some of the smoky flavor from the sausage.
Optional Ingredients for More Flavor
The original recipe works with just three ingredients, but you can easily give it more flavor.
Try adding:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ sliced onion
You don’t need all of these.
Even adding butter, garlic powder, and black pepper makes a noticeable difference.
Be careful with additional salt. Beef Smokies and canned green beans can already contain quite a bit of sodium.
Taste the finished dish before adding extra salt.
How to Make Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly and cut them in half.
If some potatoes are considerably larger than the others, cut them into quarters.
Place the potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Putting the potatoes on the bottom is important because they need more cooking time than the other ingredients.
Step 2: Add the Beef Smokies
Place the Beef Smokies over the potatoes.
You can leave them whole or cut them in half.
For a family dinner, I prefer cutting them into bite-sized pieces because you get sausage, potato, and green beans together in almost every serving.
Step 3: Add the Green Beans
Drain the canned green beans thoroughly and pour them over the sausage.
If you’re using additional seasonings, sprinkle them over everything now.
Add butter or beef broth at this point as well.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover the Crockpot.
Cook on:
LOW for 6–8 hours
or
HIGH for 3–4 hours
The exact cooking time depends on your slow cooker and the size of your potatoes.
The dish is ready when you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork.
Step 5: Stir and Serve
Once the potatoes are tender, gently stir everything together.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve while hot.
That’s all there is to it.
The Secret Is Getting the Potatoes Tender
The sausage and canned green beans don’t need much cooking, so the potatoes determine when this meal is finished.
That’s why I recommend placing them at the bottom of the Crockpot.
Cutting your potatoes into similarly sized pieces also helps.
If you have a mixture of tiny potatoes and large potatoes cut in half, the smaller ones may become very soft before the larger pieces finish cooking.
For especially large baby potatoes, quarter them.
You want potatoes that are tender enough to pierce easily with a fork but haven’t completely fallen apart.
Can You Use Fresh Green Beans?
Absolutely.
Fresh green beans give the recipe a slightly firmer texture.
Wash them, trim the ends, and add them to the slow cooker.
Keep in mind that fresh green beans won’t have exactly the same soft texture as canned beans.
Frozen green beans can also work.
If you want frozen green beans to retain more texture, consider adding them during the last hour or two of cooking instead of at the beginning.
Can You Use Regular Potatoes?
Yes.
You don’t have to buy baby potatoes specifically for this recipe.
Yukon Gold potatoes are particularly good because they have a creamy texture and hold together nicely.
Red potatoes are another excellent choice.
Russet potatoes can work too, although they tend to become softer and more likely to break apart.
If using full-size potatoes, cut them into approximately 1- to 1½-inch pieces.
The important part is making the pieces similar in size.
What Other Sausage Can I Use?
Beef Smokies are delicious in this recipe, but the basic slow-cooker method works with several types of fully cooked sausage.
Try:
- Smoked sausage
- Kielbasa
- Turkey smoked sausage
- Chicken sausage
- Andouille sausage
Each one will change the flavor slightly.
Andouille is particularly good if you like a little heat.
A traditional smoked sausage will produce a heartier country-style dinner.
Add Onion for Even More Flavor
One of the easiest additions to this recipe is an onion.
Slice one medium yellow or sweet onion and scatter it over the potatoes before adding the sausage.
During several hours of slow cooking, the onion becomes tender and adds flavor throughout the dish.
If your family doesn’t like pieces of onion, onion powder is an easy substitute.
Should You Add Liquid?
You don’t necessarily have to.
Slow cookers trap moisture, and the ingredients will release some liquid while cooking.
However, adding approximately ½ cup of beef broth creates more moisture and gives the potatoes additional savory flavor.
Don’t completely cover the ingredients in broth.
This isn’t supposed to be a soup or stew.
A small amount is enough.
Easy Garlic Butter Version
Want to turn the basic recipe into something a little richer?
Make garlic butter Smokies and potatoes.
Add:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Black pepper to taste
Put small pieces of butter over the ingredients before cooking.
As the butter melts, it combines with the juices from the sausage and seasonings and coats the potatoes and green beans.
It’s a very small change that makes this simple meal feel a little more special.
Ranch Crockpot Smokies and Potatoes
Another easy variation is ranch seasoning.
Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning over the ingredients before cooking.
Start with a small amount because both the sausage and seasoning can be salty.
You can always add more seasoning after cooking.
Cajun Version
If you like spicy food, give this dinner a Cajun-inspired twist.
Add a small amount of Cajun or Creole seasoning along with smoked paprika.
Andouille sausage is particularly good with this variation.
Again, watch the salt level because many Cajun seasoning blends contain salt.
What to Serve With Beef Smokies and Potatoes
This recipe already includes protein, potatoes, and vegetables, so you really don’t need anything else.
That’s one reason it’s such a convenient dinner.
But if you’re feeding a larger group, serve it with:
- Cornbread
- Dinner rolls
- Biscuits
- Side salad
- Coleslaw
- Sliced tomatoes
- Cucumber salad
A piece of warm cornbread is especially good for soaking up the flavorful juices at the bottom of the bowl.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store them in the refrigerator and use within about 3–4 days.
When reheating, make sure everything is heated thoroughly.
The microwave works well for individual portions.
For larger portions, place the leftovers in a covered skillet or baking dish and heat until hot.
Adding a tablespoon or two of broth can help keep the potatoes from drying out.
Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
You can do most of the preparation ahead of time.
Wash and cut your potatoes and prepare the sausage.
For best quality, store prepared ingredients separately in the refrigerator and assemble the Crockpot when you’re ready to cook.
Because raw cut potatoes can discolor when exposed to air, you may prefer to wait until cooking day to cut them.
Fortunately, cutting a pound of baby potatoes only takes a few minutes.
Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Total Time: Approximately 6 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Method: Slow Cooker
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 package Beef Smokies
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 1 can green beans, drained
Optional Flavor Additions
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ medium onion, sliced
Instructions
- Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half. Quarter any especially large potatoes.
- Place the potatoes in an even layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the Beef Smokies over the potatoes. Leave them whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Drain the green beans and add them to the Crockpot.
- Add any optional butter, broth, onion, or seasonings.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Check the potatoes for tenderness with a fork. Continue cooking if necessary until the potatoes are completely tender.
- Gently stir everything together.
- Taste before adding additional salt.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Potatoes: Keep the potato pieces roughly the same size so they finish cooking at approximately the same time.
Salt: Wait until the dish has finished cooking before adding salt. The Beef Smokies and canned green beans may provide plenty.
Green beans: Canned green beans produce a very tender result. Fresh green beans will have more texture.
More flavor: Butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or a little beef broth are easy additions.
Thicker sausage pieces: Cutting the Smokies in half makes the finished dish easier to eat and helps distribute sausage throughout each serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Beef Smokies need to be cooked before going into the Crockpot?
Most packaged Beef Smokies are fully cooked, but always check the package instructions for the particular product you’re using. In this recipe, the slow cooker heats the sausage while cooking the potatoes and allowing the flavors to combine.
Can I put raw potatoes in a slow cooker?
Yes. Raw potatoes cook very well in a slow cooker. Cut them into reasonably small, evenly sized pieces and place them toward the bottom where they’ll receive plenty of heat.
Why are my potatoes still hard?
They probably need additional cooking time.
Potato size, potato variety, Crockpot size, and the individual slow cooker can all affect cooking time.
Continue cooking until a fork easily slides through the potatoes.
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Yes. Trim fresh green beans before adding them. They’ll generally have a firmer texture than canned green beans.
Can I add carrots?
Definitely.
Cut carrots into relatively small pieces and place them near the potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Can I add corn?
Yes. Drained canned corn can be added along with the green beans.
Can I double the recipe?
Usually, as long as your Crockpot is large enough.
Avoid filling a slow cooker all the way to the top. You need enough room for the food to cook properly.
A larger batch may also take longer for the potatoes to become tender.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes.
Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, or use a spicy smoked sausage.
Start small and increase the heat according to your preference.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Smokies and Potatoes
This recipe is intentionally simple, but a few little details can make it even better.
Put the potatoes on the bottom. They need the most heat and longest cooking time.
Cut potatoes evenly. Uniform pieces cook more consistently.
Don’t automatically add salt. Taste first.
Add a little butter for richness. Two tablespoons is plenty.
Use smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor. You only need a little.
Don’t repeatedly remove the Crockpot lid. Every time you open it, heat escapes and can increase the cooking time.
If you love this Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans recipe, keep the comfort food coming! Try our creamy Crock Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta for another easy slow-cooker dinner. For something crispy and fun, make these Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries or our homemade Chicken Taquitos. And when you’re ready for dessert, these Easy Peanut Butter Balls are the perfect sweet treat to finish the meal!
A Simple Dinner for Busy Days
There is something especially satisfying about opening the Crockpot at dinnertime and realizing dinner is already finished.
That’s the appeal of Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans.
You don’t need complicated ingredients or a long afternoon in the kitchen. A package of Beef Smokies, some potatoes, and a can of green beans can become a hearty family dinner with only a few minutes of preparation.
Make the original three-ingredient version when you want things as simple as possible, or dress it up with butter, onion, garlic, beef broth, ranch seasoning, or your favorite spices.
Either way, it’s warm, filling, easy to serve, and exactly the type of slow-cooker comfort food that’s worth keeping in your recipe collection.
Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half. Quarter any especially large potatoes.
- Place the potatoes in an even layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the Beef Smokies over the potatoes. Leave them whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Drain the green beans and add them to the Crockpot.
- Add any optional butter, broth, onion, or seasonings.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Check the potatoes for tenderness with a fork. Continue cooking if necessary until the potatoes are completely tender.
- Gently stir everything together.
- Taste before adding additional salt.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
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Recipe Name: Crockpot Beef Smokies, Potatoes, and Green Beans
Summary: An easy Crockpot dinner made with savory Beef Smokies, tender baby potatoes, and green beans. Just a few simple ingredients create a hearty, comforting slow-cooker meal.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crockpot Beef Smokies, Crockpot Smokies and Potatoes, sausage potatoes and green beans, slow cooker sausage and potatoes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Estimated Calories: Nutrition will vary considerably depending on the brand and package size of Beef Smokies used. For accurate nutrition information, calculate using the exact products used.
Equipment:
- Slow cooker/Crockpot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
