Try making Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes for the best side dish to pair with any meal. Filling, comforting, and the perfect Southern-style green beans everyone will love.
You won’t regret it if you pair this recipe with some Southern cornbread! If you want more delicious green beans, try making garlic green beans or Instant Pot chicken and potatoes with green beans for a quick meal.
If that sounds like you, this recipe for green beans and potatoes with ham will help. These three things are all great on their own, but when you mix them all together, they’re amazing!
Im talking about a southern classic, thats cozy, and nothing like your traditional green bean recipe. This recipe is also very easy because everything is cooked in one big pot, and you don’t have to watch over the pot while it’s cooking. Winning!!!.
Believe me when I say that you will want to save this recipe and try it soon.
Ham and green beans make for a flavorful and hearty side dish pairing. The smoky, salty ham complements the fresh, crisp green beans perfectly. But what if you have extra food and want to keep it? Can ham and green beans be frozen?
The good news is yes, you can absolutely freeze cooked ham and green beans to enjoy later. With proper freezing and storage techniques, you can keep ham and green beans fresh for months.
In this complete guide, learn how to freeze ham and green beans to preserve leftovers and meal prep for busy nights
Why Freeze Ham and Green Beans
There are several advantages to freezing ham and green beans:
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Saves time – Thaw and heat for quick side dishes later
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Prevents waste – Leftovers don’t go bad before you can eat them
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Maximizes ingredients – Make big batches using seasonal green beans
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Adds convenience – Always have a backup side ready with minimal effort
You can freeze ham and beans that you don’t want or cook a lot of them to have easy sides for weeknights later on.
How to Prepare Ham and Green Beans for Freezing
To freeze ham and green beans properly:
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Cook ham and beans as desired with seasonings, broth, etc.
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Allow to cool completely – don’t freeze when hot.
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Portion into single servings if desired.
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Transfer to rigid freezer containers or bags.
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Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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Label with contents and freeze date.
Allowing to cool prevents moisture condensation, and portioning makes for quick thawing. Excluding air minimizes freezer burn over time.
Step-by-Step Freezing Process
To freeze cooked ham and green beans:
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Prepare ham and beans and let cool completely after cooking.
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Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers in desired portions.
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Press out excess air and seal bags/containers thoroughly.
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Lay flat in freezer to quickly freeze contents.
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Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
Avoid piling bags to prevent crushing. Freezing in flat layers allows fast, even freezing.
Thawing Ham and Green Beans
To properly thaw frozen ham and green beans:
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Move frozen bag/container to refrigerator to thaw overnight.
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For quick thawing, run cold water over bag or place in water bath.
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Microwave thawing is not recommended.
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Once thawed, use within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze.
Slow thawing in the fridge prevents bacteria growth. If in a hurry, cold water thaws faster than room temperature.
Reheating Ham and Green Beans
To reheat thawed ham and green beans:
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If watery, drain excess liquid before reheating.
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Place in saucepan with small amount of broth or water.
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Heat on stovetop over medium low, stirring occasionally until hot.
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Microwave reheating is also an option.
Add a little extra liquid to prevent sticking or dryness when reheating. Hot throughout but not boiling avoids overcooking greens.
Storage Time in the Freezer
Properly stored at 0°F, frozen ham and green beans keep for:
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3 months – Best quality retention
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6 months – Maximum recommended storage time
Tracking freeze dates and using within recommended time preserves texture and flavor.
Tips for Freezing Success
Follow these tips when freezing ham and green beans:
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Use fresh, in-season green beans for best results
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Portion into meal-sized servings to thaw only what you need
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Freeze cooked beans flat in bags or containers to ensure fast freezing
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Eliminate as much air from bags or containers as possible before sealing
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Use durable freezer bags or rigid plastic containers to prevent freezer burn
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Label everything clearly with freeze date and contents
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Avoid refreezing beans after thawing
Following proper freezing protocol means frozen ham and green beans retain their flavor and texture well.
Enjoy Ham and Green Beans Anytime
With the proper freezing, storage and thawing techniques, you can enjoy fresh-tasting ham and green beans even months after initially preparing them. Freezing cooked leftovers and meal prepping batches means quick and easy sides ready in minutes when you’re crunched for time.
Ham and green beans make for a classic flavor pairing. With some freezer know-how, you can enjoy this tasty side dish combination no matter what time of year it is!
Step By Step Instructions
Begin the recipe using a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pour the olive oil into the pot. When it gets hot, carefully swirl it around to cover the bottom evenly. Add the ham and allow it to cook, stirring often.
Toss in the chopped onion and stir with the meat until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic cloves and stir in the seasoning salt and crushed red pepper.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth or stock. Reduce the heat and add the fresh green beans and red potatoes. Add the beans and potatoes to a pot. Cover the pot and cook for about an hour, until the potatoes are soft enough to pierce.
Carefully remove the lid from the pot and add more chicken broth/stock if needed. Make sure you like the green beans, and if you think they need more salt, ground black pepper, or hot sauce, you can add it. Serve warm and enjoy!.
Green beans, ham, and potatoes that have been completely cooled can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. Before serving, reheat on the stove in a saucepan over medium-high heat until warm, stirring often. They may also be reheated in the microwave in a microwave-safe container.
Can you freeze ham, green beans, and potatoes? Yes, you can! Just put the green beans in a freezer-safe container or bag while they are still warm. Store them in the freezer for up to 30 days. When ready to serve, heat on the stove in a saucepan until heated thoroughly.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Do you have any thoughts, questions, or other tasty ways to serve this Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham Recipe? Let us know in the comments!
Freezing Green Beans Without Blanching Them First! – Garden Harvest Preservation
FAQ
Can you freeze cooked ham and beans?
Can you freeze green beans that have already been cooked?
How do you prepare green beans for freezer?
Can I freeze cooked green beans and potatoes?
Can you freeze Ham & Green beans?
Yes! To freeze ham, green beans, and potatoes, simply ladle individual portions into freezer-safe containers–after the soup cools down, of course–and put the containers into the freezer. The soup should maintain its quality for 2-3 months.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
Can you freeze green beans?
You can freeze green beans in just a few easy steps. First, wash the green beans thoroughly and trim the ends. Then, blanch the green beans by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Drop the fresh green beans in the water and cook until just tender but still crisp, about 3 minutes.
Can You Freeze frozen beans?
Once the beans have cooled, about 5 minutes, drain them thoroughly and pat them completely dry (this is important so they don’t get ice crystals in the freezer!). Then, lay them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to separate each bean so they stick together, and freeze for 1 hour.