This tasty Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham recipe only needs five ingredients and can be made as a main dish or a side dish. My family has been making it for generations, and I love it.
Soups and stews are probably my favorite foods. They’re comforting, delicious, and easy to make. If you’re similar, try my Lamb Stew or Mulligan Stew.
Ham and green beans are a classic combination that makes for a hearty, flavorful side dish. The salty, smoky ham pairs perfectly with the fresh, crisp beans. But what if you make too much and want to save the leftovers? Can you freeze cooked ham and green beans?
The good news is yes you can absolutely freeze ham and green beans to enjoy later. With the right freezing and storage methods you can keep ham and green beans fresh for months.
In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully freezing and storing cooked ham and beans.
Why Freeze Ham and Green Beans
Freezing ham and green beans offers several advantages:
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Saves time – Thaw and reheat for quick side dishes later on. No need to cook again from scratch.
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Prevents waste – Leftovers don’t go bad before you can eat them Freezing extends shelf life
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Maximizes ingredients – Make big batches when green beans are in season to freeze for later.
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Adds convenience – Always have a backup side ready with minimal effort.
You can freeze extra portions you don’t want to eat right away or purposely cook large batches to meal prep for busy nights. Either way, freezing cooked ham and beans is an easy way to save time and avoid waste.
How to Prepare Ham and Green Beans for Freezing
To properly freeze ham and green beans:
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Cook the ham and beans with seasonings, broth, etc. as desired.
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Allow to completely cool after cooking – don’t freeze when hot.
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Portion into single serving sizes if desired.
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Transfer to rigid airtight containers or freezer bags.
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Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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Label with contents and freeze date.
Letting the ham and beans cool prevents excess moisture condensation. Portioning makes for quick thawing of only what you need. Excluding air minimizes freezer burn over time.
Step-by-Step Freezing Process
Follow these simple steps to successfully freeze cooked ham and green beans:
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Prepare the ham and beans and let cool completely after cooking.
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Transfer portions to freezer bags or airtight containers.
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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 stacking bags that can crush food. Freezing in a single layer 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 quicker thawing, place in bowl of cold water or run under cold tap.
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Do not microwave thaw.
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Use within 3-4 days after thawing. Do not refreeze.
Slow thawing in the fridge prevents bacteria growth. Cold water thaws faster than room temperature. Microwaving leads to texture changes.
Reheating Ham and Green Beans
Follow these tips for reheating thawed ham and green beans:
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Drain any excess liquid before reheating if watery.
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Place in saucepan with small amount of broth/water.
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Heat on stovetop over medium-low, stirring occasionally until hot throughout.
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Microwave reheating works too.
Adding a bit of liquid prevents sticking. Low, gradual heating avoids overcooking the beans.
How Long Does Ham and Green Beans Last Frozen?
Stored at 0°F, frozen ham and green beans keep for:
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3 months – Best quality and taste retention
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6 months – Maximum recommended frozen storage time
Tracking freeze dates and using within these time frames ensures optimal texture and flavor.
Tips for Freezer Success
Follow these best practices 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-size servings for easy thawing
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Freeze cooked beans flat in bags or containers for quick freezing
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Exclude as much air as possible before sealing bags/containers
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Use durable freezer bags or rigid plastic containers to prevent freezer burn
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Clearly label everything with freeze date and contents
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Avoid refreezing beans after thawing
Proper freezing protocol means frozen ham and green beans retain quality and taste.
Enjoy Ham and Green Beans Anytime
Using the right freezing, thawing and storage techniques means you can enjoy fresh-tasting ham and green beans even months after preparing them. Freezing cooked leftovers or meal prepping batches makes quick, easy sides ready in minutes.
Ham and green beans are a timeless flavor pairing. With some freezer savvy, you can enjoy this classic side anytime!
How to Make Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham
- Cut, snip, or snap the ends of the green beans to make them neat. See how to do this in different ways in the video below.
- Place the trimmed green beans in a large pot.
- Put a whole onion that has been peeled into the pot with the green beans.
- Add the salt pork to the pot.
- Put enough water in the pot to cover the green beans by about an inch. Cook on low to medium heat for 4 hours. Everything will taste better and be more tender the longer you cook it.
- Put the ham and cut potatoes in the pot. Cook on low to medium heat for an hour, or until the potatoes are soft. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Make-Ahead: For freshness, you can make this recipe up to 1 day ahead.
How to Store: This will hold well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. It will also freeze well, covered, for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.
How to Reheat: To reheat the stew, put the amount you want in a small saucepot and heat it over low heat until it’s hot.
Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham
Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham is a Southern specialty. It consists of beans slow-cooked in water or broth with salt pork, onion, and ham until extremely tender. You add the potatoes at the end and gently simmer just until they’re cooked. This can be served as a side dish, but I love it as a main entree. This recipe specifically has been made in my family for over 75 years.
The hardest part of making this ham, green beans, and potatoes stew is cutting the fresh green beans, but that’s not really hard. It just takes some time. For this recipe, I used 5 pounds of green beans. It took me 12 to 15 minutes to cut them all up.
- Green Beans—This recipe can use any kind of green bean. Snap beans and haricot verts are my favorite to use.
- Onion: A red, yellow, white, or sweet onion will work. Optionally, add 5 to 6 whole garlic cloves.
- Salt Pork—This recipe calls for salt pork, which is the only thing that gives the stew its flavor. You can use pork belly or bacon instead of salt pork if you can’t find it.
- Ham: You can use a whole ham or a piece of ham cut into big cubes.
- If you want to use potatoes, you can use Yukon gold, red, baby, or fingerling potatoes. Russet potatoes are the traditional choice.
Freezing Green Beans Without Blanching Them First! – Garden Harvest Preservation
FAQ
Can you freeze cooked ham and beans?
Can I freeze green beans after they have been cooked?
How do you freeze green beans so they don’t get soggy?
How long will ham and beans keep in the refrigerator?
Can you freeze leftover ham & green beans?
Try for example dried parsley, Italian seasoning, or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Store leftover ham, green beans, and potatoes in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stove until it’s thoroughly warm. You can also freeze any leftovers for up to 6 months.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
Can you freeze a ham & bean sandwich?
We love this hearty ham and bean option when we’re in the mood to prep in advance. It’s one of the best make-ahead lunches to freeze. Simply toss some veggies, ham, broth, beans, and herbs in the pot, cook for 40 minutes, then divide each batch into six portions.
Can you freeze bean soup with cooked ham?
Yes, you can freeze bean soup with cooked ham. I always make an extra large pot so I can freeze some for a cold, or snowy day. Freezing bean soup is so smart in the wintertime and bean soup freezes really well. Here are some tips for how to freeze soup and they work great for freezing bean soup with ham bone as well.