Easy Instant Pot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe

A hearty one-pot meal ready in under an hour

Key Takeaways:

• Perfect blend of smoky ham, tender potatoes, and fresh green beans
• Set-and-forget Instant Pot method saves time and effort
• Great for using leftover ham or ham bones
• Makes 4 generous servings with minimal prep work

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Need a quick yet satisfying meal? This Instant Pot Ham Green Beans and Potatoes recipe turns simple ingredients into a comforting dinner. The pressure cooker method infuses the vegetables with rich, smoky flavor while keeping them perfectly tender.

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4

Equipment Needed

• 6-quart Instant Pot or larger
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Colander for washing vegetables

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 pound ham, cubed (or meaty ham bone)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste (careful – ham is salty)

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Extra butter for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Phase

1. Clean and trim green beans (10 minutes)

• Rinse beans thoroughly under cold water
• Look for any brown spots or blemishes and discard those beans
• Snap off the stem end where it meets the bean
• If strings are visible along the seam, pull them off from end to end
• Cut beans into 2-inch pieces using a sharp knife
• Place cut beans in a clean bowl and set aside

1. Prepare potatoes (10-12 minutes)

• Rinse potatoes under cool water, scrubbing gently with hands to remove dirt
• Pat dry with paper towels
• Place potato on cutting board with flat side down for stability
• Cut potato in half lengthwise
• Cut each half into half again
• Cut each quarter into roughly 1.5-inch chunks
• Important: Try to keep all pieces similar in size for even cooking
• Place cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning

1. Prepare ham (5-7 minutes)

• If using leftover ham, remove from refrigerator
• Place ham on cutting board
• Trim visible fat with knife if desired
• Cut ham into 1-inch cubes (about the size of a dice)
• If using ham bone, check that it fits in Instant Pot with lid closed
• Set prepared ham aside

1. Prepare other ingredients (5 minutes)

• Peel onion and cut in half
• Place flat side down and dice into small pieces
• Peel garlic cloves
• Mince garlic with knife or press through garlic press
• Measure out chicken broth
• Get butter ready

Cooking Phase

1. Prepare Instant Pot (2-3 minutes)

• Remove Instant Pot lid
• Check that removable pot is clean and dry
• Insert pot into Instant Pot base
• Plug in Instant Pot – you’ll hear a beep
• Make sure sealing ring inside lid is properly seated
• Check: Sealing valve on lid moves freely

1. Start the cooking process (3-4 minutes)

• Locate and press “Sauté” button
• Display will show “On” or “Hot”
• Add butter to pot
• Wait until butter is completely melted
• Tip: Butter should sizzle gently but not brown

1. Cook aromatics (5-6 minutes)

• Add diced onions to melted butter
• Stir with wooden spoon
• Cook until onions become translucent (3-4 minutes)
• Add minced garlic
• Stir constantly for 30 seconds
• Watch carefully: Garlic burns easily
• Press “Cancel” to turn off sauté function

1. Layer ingredients properly (5 minutes)

• Add cubed ham or place ham bone in pot
• Pour chicken broth over ham
• Drain potatoes from water
• Add potato chunks in even layer
• Add green beans on top
• Sprinkle black pepper over everything
• Important: Do not stir after layering

1. Seal and set Instant Pot (1-2 minutes)

• Put lid on pot and turn clockwise until it locks
• Turn steam release valve to “Sealing”
• Press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” (depending on your model)
• Use +/- buttons to set time to 8 minutes
• Display will show “On” while coming to pressure
• Note: Takes about 10-15 minutes to reach pressure

1. Natural release process (10 minutes)

• When timer beeps, do not touch valve
• Display will show “L0:00” and start counting up
• Wait 10 minutes
• What’s happening: Pressure decreases naturally
• Food continues cooking gently

1. Final steps (2-3 minutes)

• After 10 minutes, use long spoon handle to turn valve to “Venting”
• Safety first: Keep hands/face away from steam
• Wait until float valve drops completely
• Turn lid counterclockwise and lift away from you
• Gently stir everything together
• Taste and add salt if needed

Visual Cues for Doneness

• Potatoes should be easily pierced with fork
• Green beans should be bright green and tender
• Ham should be hot throughout
• Liquid should be slightly thickened

Beginning Cook’s Notes

• Read entire recipe before starting
• Gather all ingredients and tools first
• Don’t rush the natural release
• When in doubt, check food temperature with meat thermometer (should reach 165°F)
• Keep kitchen towels handy for steam/spills

Troubleshooting Tips

Potatoes too soft?

• Cut larger chunks next time
• Reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes

Not enough flavor?

• Add more ham
• Use smoked ham for extra flavor
• Include optional herbs
• Season after cooking

Burn notice?

• Make sure to deglaze pot after sautéing
• Add more liquid
• Don’t stir before pressure cooking

Variations & Substitutions

• Potatoes: Red potatoes or russets work well
• Meat options: Smoked turkey, sausage, or bacon
• Vegetables: Add carrots or cabbage
• Broth: Use water + bouillon or vegetable broth

Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Refrigerate in airtight container
• Keeps 3-4 days
• Not recommended for freezing

Reheating:

• Microwave: 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway
• Stovetop: Low heat with splash of broth
• Instant Pot: 5 minutes on “Keep Warm”

Safety Notes & Tips

• Always check sealing ring before use
• Keep face away when releasing pressure
• Use wooden spoon for natural release
• Handle hot pot with oven mitts
• Check internal temperature of reheated leftovers (165°F)

Pro Tips:

• Cut vegetables same size for even cooking
• Don’t skip natural release – prevents mushy vegetables
• Layer ingredients as listed – don’t stir
• Consider ham’s saltiness before adding more

Enjoy this simple, satisfying meal that brings together the best of comfort food with modern convenience!