A hearty, comforting one-pot meal featuring juicy, savory sausages, tender red potatoes, and perfectly seasoned green beans. This easy slow cooker recipe is packed with garlic, herbs, and buttery flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Easy
Slow Cooker
One-Pot Meal
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4–6 hours
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1½–2 lbs (680–900 g) smoked sausage or Italian sausage
1½ lbs (680 g) baby red potatoes, quartered
1 lb (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
1 medium yellow onion, sliced (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Wash the baby red potatoes thoroughly and cut them into evenly sized quarters. Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the sausage into thick pieces if using smoked sausage, or leave whole if using links, as pictured. Slice the onion and mince the garlic.
Step 2: Prepare the Seasoning Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, dried thyme, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
Mix well to combine all the flavors into a fragrant seasoning mixture.
Step 3: Layer the Potatoes and Green Beans
Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
Add the quartered red potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the green beans over the potatoes, followed by the sliced onion, if using.
Pour the chicken broth evenly over the vegetables.
Step 4: Add the Sausage
Arrange the sausage pieces or links over the vegetables. Spread them evenly so the heat circulates throughout the slow cooker.
If desired, brown the sausage in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker. This adds extra flavor and a delicious golden exterior.
Step 5: Add the Garlic Butter Seasoning
Pour the prepared garlic butter seasoning mixture over the sausage, potatoes, and green beans.
Use a large spoon to gently toss the vegetables and coat them evenly, taking care not to break up the potatoes. Make sure the sausage is nestled among the vegetables.
Step 6: Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, the green beans are cooked to your preferred texture, and the sausage is heated through.
LOW: 5–6 hours
HIGH: 3–4 hours
If using raw Italian sausage, cook until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork or beef sausage, or 165°F (74°C) for poultry sausage. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker and the size of the ingredients.
Step 7: Stir and Adjust Seasoning
Once cooked, gently stir the vegetables to distribute the flavorful garlic butter juices. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as desired.
If you prefer a thicker, richer coating, remove the lid for the final 15–20 minutes on HIGH, monitoring the liquid level to prevent the ingredients from drying out.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes over the finished dish. Serve hot, spooning some of the buttery cooking juices over the sausage, potatoes, and green beans.
Cooking Tips
Choose the right sausage: Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or Italian sausage all work well. Raw sausage must be cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Cut potatoes evenly: Similar-sized pieces help the potatoes cook at the same rate.
Use fresh green beans: They provide a pleasant texture, although frozen green beans can also be used.
Brown for extra flavor: Searing the sausage before slow cooking develops a deeper, richer taste.
Don’t add too much liquid: The vegetables release moisture as they cook, so a small amount of broth is usually enough.
Avoid overcooking: Check the potatoes toward the end of the cooking time to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Add a little spice: Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper provide a gentle kick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with warm garlic bread or crusty dinner rolls.
Pair with a fresh garden salad or coleslaw.
Add steamed broccoli or roasted carrots for extra vegetables.
Serve with cornbread for a comforting Southern-style dinner.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for an additional savory flavor, if desired.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. The potatoes and green beans may soften slightly after thawing.
Reheating: Reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth, or microwave in short intervals until steaming hot.
Meal prep: Divide into individual portions for convenient lunches or quick dinners.
Nutrition Information
Approximate values per serving, based on 6 servings using smoked sausage. Actual nutrition varies by sausage type and portion size.
Nutrient
Amount
Calories
460 kcal
Protein
19 g
Carbohydrates
31 g
Dietary Fiber
5 g
Total Fat
29 g
Saturated Fat
10 g
Sugar
5 g
Sodium
1,050 mg
Cholesterol
65 mg
Nut Information
No nuts in the listed ingredients
This recipe contains no intentionally added peanuts, tree nuts, or nut-based ingredients.
Peanuts: 0 g
Tree nuts: 0 g
Nut-based ingredients: None
Allergy note: Check the labels of sausage, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings for allergen and cross-contact information. If preparing this meal for someone with a severe nut allergy, use verified safe ingredients and clean utensils and cooking surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes. Frozen green beans work well in this recipe. For a firmer texture, add them during the last 1–2 hours of cooking on LOW or the last 30–45 minutes on HIGH.
2. Do I need to brown the sausage before slow cooking?
No. Smoked sausage is generally ready to eat and can be added directly to the slow cooker. However, browning it first can add extra flavor and a more appealing color. Raw sausage should be cooked thoroughly to a safe internal temperature.
3. Can I make this recipe with chicken sausage?
Absolutely. Chicken sausage is a suitable alternative. If it is raw, cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If precooked, heat it thoroughly according to its package directions.
4. Why are my potatoes still hard after slow cooking?
Potatoes may need additional time if they are cut too large, the slow cooker is overloaded, or the lid has been lifted frequently. Cut them into evenly sized pieces and continue cooking until fork-tender.
5. Can I prepare this recipe the night before?
Yes. Wash and cut the vegetables, prepare the seasoning mixture, and refrigerate the ingredients separately in covered containers. Assemble in the slow cooker just before cooking. Avoid leaving raw sausage at room temperature.
Conclusion
This slow cooker sausage with potatoes and green beans is a delicious, hearty, and satisfying meal made with simple ingredients. Tender potatoes, flavorful sausage, and fresh green beans cook together in a rich garlic butter seasoning that makes every bite comforting and delicious. With minimal preparation and easy cleanup, this one-pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, and meal prep.