Description
Simple Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans is a fuss-free dinner. Toss ingredients in, walk away, and come back to a warm, savory meal. Real comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Components:
- 1.5 lbs smoked kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1.5 lbs small potatoes (red or Yukon gold), diced into 1-inch cubes
- Flavor Foundations:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 32 oz (4 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- Seasoning Essentials:
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional Extras:
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (for heat)
- 1/2 cup canned cannellini beans, drained (added last hour)
- Splash of apple cider vinegar (at the end)
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies and Kielbasa:: First things first, get all your chopping out of the way. Slice that kielbasa into nice, thick rounds – I usually go for about half an inch. Then, wash and trim your green beans; snap off those ends, you know the drill. Dice your potatoes and onion, and mince that garlic. This step always makes my kitchen smell so good, all those fresh aromas filling the air. Honestly, I usually make a bit of a mess with all the potato peels, but it’s worth it for the deliciousness to come.
- Layer in the Crockpot:: Now for the fun part: layering! Toss your diced potatoes, green beans, and sliced onion into the bottom of your crockpot. I always try to distribute them evenly, otherwise, some pieces get more attention than others, and that’s just not fair! Next, nestle those kielbasa slices on top. This is where I start to get really excited, seeing all the colors come together. Try not to overfill it; you want everything to cook properly.
- Add Flavor & Liquid:: Pour in your chicken broth and those diced tomatoes (juice and all!). Sprinkle over the minced garlic, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Give it a gentle stir, just enough to get those seasonings distributed a bit, but don’t go crazy. You want everything to slowly meld together. I remember once I added way too much broth, and it was more soup than stew, oops! Stick to the measurements, trust me.
- Set It and Forget It (Mostly):: Pop that lid on tight! Set your crockpot to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for the low and slow method; it really lets the flavors deepen and the kielbasa gets so tender. The smell that starts to waft through the house after a few hours? Oh my goodness, it’s heavenly. It’s that warm, comforting scent of a homemade meal, without all the fuss.
- A Quick Stir & Check:: Once the cooking time is nearly up, give everything a good stir. Check if the potatoes are tender – that’s your main indicator that it’s ready. If they’re still a bit firm, just let it cook for another 30 minutes or so. Taste it and adjust the seasonings. Sometimes I feel it needs a little more salt or a dash of black pepper. It’s your kitchen, your rules!
- Serve It Up:: Dish out generous portions of this hearty Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans. The kielbasa should be tender, the green beans still have a little bite, and the potatoes are soft and flavorful. It should look like a rustic, comforting meal, perfect for any evening. I love how the broth gets slightly thickened and infused with all those amazing smoky, savory flavors. It’s a sight for sore eyes after a long day.