Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans: Dump-and-Go Recipe

Ever have one of those days where the last thing you want to do is cook but you still want something that tastes like you put in real effort? Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans is my go-to on those days. Seriously, it’s a dump-and-go kind of meal that feels right for busy weeknights. The best part is you can easily jazz it up with ideas from my all-time favorite crack green beans or swap sausage varieties like in my super-popular crockpot cheese tortellini sausage recipe. If you want hearty, cozy, and absolutely stress-free, this could be your new favorite.

TL;DR – Crockpot Sausage & Green Beans

• Recipe: Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans – an easy dump-and-go slow cooker meal with smoked sausage, baby potatoes, and fresh green beans.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes • Cook Time: 6 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH • Servings: 6
• Flavor: Hearty, savory, and comforting-perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
• Best Sausage Options: Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or Italian sausage for variety.
• Tips: Add green beans halfway through to keep them crisp, and use frozen beans to avoid mushy texture.
• Variations: Try sweet potatoes, chicken sausage, or a spicy Cajun version for a twist.
• Storage: Keeps 3 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer. Reheat with a splash of broth for best texture.
• Best Pairings: Serve with cornbread, a side salad, or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Save this easy slow cooker dinner and enjoy a no-fuss, home-cooked meal any night of the week!

For more cozy set-it-and-forget-it meals, here’s a full list of my favorite Crockpot recipes.

How This Recipe Fits into Busy Weeknight Meals

This is not your grandma’s five-hour casserole. I mean, who has that time? Most nights I just wanna slap everything in the slow cooker, go fold a load of laundry (or…let’s be honest, scroll my phone), and know dinner is taking care of itself. Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans checks all the boxes: one pot, less mess, and hardly any hands-on work. Plus, it hits that “real food, real fast” vibe so hard. The best part is you only need a handful of stuff, and timing is forgiving. If you’re running late, it’s no biggie, the meal just gets cozier. Saves my sanity on soccer nights.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes

You won’t believe how short this list is. For Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans, I use:

• 1 – 1.5 lbs smoked sausage, kielbasa, or even diced Italian sausage
• 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, chopped (I don’t peel because…ehh, too lazy)
• 1 lb fresh or frozen green beans, trimmed if you’re feeling fancy
• 1 chopped yellow onion or, honestly, a handful of pre-chopped from the store
• 1 cup chicken broth or even water in a pinch
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

That’s it for the basics. Grab pantry things like olive oil or parsley if you want, but they’re not deal breakers.

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Best Type of Sausage to Use (Smoked, Kielbasa, or Italian)

Alright, if you’re new to this, just trust me, smoked sausage is the classic. It gives that rich, deep flavor that feels like you spent WAY longer than you did. Kielbasa is a little milder, but the flavor still goes all through the potatoes and beans. Sweet or hot Italian sausage works if you want a little bite, but the texture will be slightly softer once cooked. Sometimes if I’m living dangerously, I just do a half-and-half mix. Nothing complicated…just whatever you like or whatever’s on sale, honestly.

Seasonings and Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor

I can’t help but doctor this recipe every time because, let’s be real, it’s fun to play. Toss in some red pepper flakes if you like a little fire. If I’ve got a hunk of parmesan rind sitting around (leftover from my honey glazed carrots and green beans), I’ll throw that in too. Fresh herbs? Sure, sprinkle some thyme or parsley. Once I even added leftover candied sweet potatoes and it was weirdly good. Don’t be afraid to add in mushrooms or bell peppers if the fridge is grumpy with leftovers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s keep this simple. First, spray your slow cooker (hate scrubbing stuck potatoes). Dump in the chopped potatoes and green beans. Scatter your chopped onions across, and toss in those sausage pieces right on top. Pour the broth over everything. Sprinkle heavily with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pop the lid on. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for about 3-4. Stir once in a while, if you remember, but it’s honestly fine even if you forget.

How to Know When It’s Done

The best test? Poke a potato with a fork. If it slides in easy, dinner is ready. Sausage should be hot right through the middle. Those beans, cooked but just holding their snap, is chef’s kiss. If your kitchen smells like comfort, you’re good.

Tips for the Best Sausage, Potatoes, and Green Beans

I like potatoes a bit chunky, almost rustic, so they stand up to the long cook. Slicing sausage thick means fewer sad, shriveled pieces. If you want those beans to keep bite, try adding them halfway through the cook, otherwise, toss everything in at once and call it a day. A splash of vinegar at the end sometimes perks up all the flavors.

How to Avoid Mushy Potatoes or Green Beans

Nobody! nobody likes mush. Watch the cook time if your slow cooker runs hot. Cut potatoes in big chunks or use baby potatoes whole if you want them to hold shape. For the green beans, frozen actually work better for keeping texture. If you love extra-snappy beans, add them for just the last hour. Done and dusted.

Recipe Variations and Additions

Listen, I don’t follow rules too closely here and you shouldn’t either. Sometimes I swap in sweet potatoes (which is life-changing, by the way). Leftover broccoli? Why not. A splash of Louisiana hot sauce? YEP. I’ve even added cherry tomatoes before for a pop of color and freshness. Sub chicken sausage for a lighter twist, or make it full-on spicy with jalapenos. It’s all good.

How to Make It Dairy-Free or Low-Sodium

So, this one is basically dairy-free by default, unless you add cheese (not judging). Want less salt? Go with a low-sodium broth, skip added salt, and check your sausage’s nutrition label, some can get salty. No worries, still tons of flavor.

Best Side Dishes to Serve With Sausage and Potatoes

Okay, here’s my simple “what goes with it” cheat-sheet:

• A slice of buttered cornbread (or, alright, any bread you’ve got)
• Tossed salad with vinaigrette (adds crunch and zip)
• Maybe some of these crack green beans for a double hit of veggies
• Bonus points for crockpot cheeseburger soup if you wanna go big

How to Turn Leftovers Into a Hearty Breakfast Skillet

Okay so you’ve got leftovers? Chop everything up, toss in a big skillet with a teeny splash of oil. Crack a few eggs on top, cover, and cook till eggs are just right (runny yolks for me). Top with hot sauce or cheese if you swing that way. Breakfast of champions.

Freezing and Reheating Without Losing Texture

Cool it fast, pack into airtight containers, and freeze. When you reheat, use the stovetop on medium with a splash of broth to wake up the flavors, no sad dry potatoes! Microwave works too, but use low power and cover loosely.

How Long It Lasts in the Fridge

I’d say three days is the sweet spot. After that, it’s edible but…things get weird. Store in a tight container. If beans or potatoes look mushy, it’s time to move on.

Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot: Which Method Works Best

Here’s what I think. Slow cooker is best for this, it lets sausage and green beans get super tender without frantic monitoring. But if you’re pressed for time, Instant Pot can do maybe 10 minutes on manual (potatoes sometimes overcook, though, so watch it).

How to Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time

Honestly, chop your sausage and potatoes the night before and stash them in the fridge. You can even season them, then dump in the slow cooker in the morning. The beans? I just toss ‘em in straight from the freezer if I’m running late.

Batch Cooking for Easy Weeknight Meals

Make a double batch, portion into freezer bags, and freeze flat. When you need dinner, pull out a bag, dump in a crockpot with a splash more broth, zap it back to life, and pat yourself on the back.

Nutrition Information and Health Benefits

Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans has solid protein, filling fiber from the beans, and vitamins from potatoes and onions. It’s real food gotta love that. You can nudge the health vibes higher by picking chicken sausage or less-fat cuts. Green beans bring in vitamin K and potassium too.

Per serving (6 servings) • Estimated from listed ingredients

Nutrition Facts

Crockpot Sausage, Potatoes & Green Beans

Calories

429

21%

Total Fat 28.8g

37%

Saturated Fat 9.6g

48%

Sodium 1,077mg

47%

Total Carbohydrate 33.2g

12%

Dietary Fiber 5.3g

19%

Total Sugars 2.4g

–

Protein 16.8g

34%

Vitamin C

18%

Potassium

16%

Calcium

6%

Iron

9%

*% Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Actual values vary by sausage brand, potato type, broth sodium, and portion size.

Ingredient data sources: Kielbasa (per 100 g) MyFoodData, Potatoes, flesh & skin, raw MyFoodData, Green beans, raw MyFoodData, Onion, raw MyFoodData, Chicken stock (1 cup) MyFoodData.

How to Make This Recipe Healthier

Skip fatty sausage brands and go turkey or chicken. Bulk up the vegetables, throw in carrots or spinach, use bone broth for extra minerals. Little changes make it family-friendly and better for you.

Why Potatoes Turn Mushy in a Slow Cooker

It happens. Too much heat, too small potato cuts, or just a slow-cooker that cooks like a jet engine. Keep your potato chunks big and avoid extra stirring.

What Happens if You Use Too Much Liquid

You’ll get a watery stew with floating sausage bits. Not cute. Stick with just a cup or so of broth and keep an eye on it, resist the urge to drown your ingredients.

Simple Ways to Make It Your Own Each Time

Maybe you’re bored of plain sausage and green beans, hmm? Try new sausage flavors, more or less spice, extra veggies, or totally different broths. What you love one week, you might want to switch up the next. That’s half the fun.

Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans: Common Questions

Let’s Get Crockin’!

I hope you’ll try this Crockpot Sausage and Green Beans soon. It’s cozy, quick, and pretty darn forgiving, not something you can say about every recipe out there! If you’re looking for more comforting dinners for busy nights, check out these awesome slow cooker ideas or shake up your sides with honey glazed carrots and green beans. Trust me, your tired weekday self will thank you. Grab a spoon and dig in!