Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans
This Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans recipe combines smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and flavorful green beans in one easy slow-cooker meal. Everything cooks in a buttery garlic and ranch-seasoned broth, creating a comforting dinner with very little preparation.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, potlucks, game day, or any time you need a simple and satisfying one-pot meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–7 hours
Total Time: Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy one-pot slow-cooker dinner
- Requires only a few simple ingredients
- Smoky, buttery, and savory flavor
- Tender potatoes and seasoned green beans
- Family-friendly and filling
- Minimal preparation and cleanup
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for potlucks and busy days
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 ounces each) Lit’l Smokies sausages
- 2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
- Cooked and crumbled bacon, optional
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
How to Make Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and dry the baby potatoes.
Cut small potatoes in half and larger potatoes into quarters. Keeping the pieces approximately the same size helps them cook evenly.
You can leave the skins on for additional flavor and texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Green Beans
Wash the green beans and trim away the ends.
Leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces.
For very soft, Southern-style green beans, add them at the beginning. For firmer green beans, add them during the final two hours of cooking.
Step 3: Add the Potatoes
Lightly coat the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker because they require the longest cooking time.
Step 4: Add the Onion and Garlic
Sprinkle the diced onion and minced garlic over the potatoes.
The onion will soften as it cooks and flavor the broth.
Step 5: Add the Green Beans
Arrange the fresh green beans over the potatoes.
If you prefer firmer green beans, wait and add them later in the cooking process.
Step 6: Add the Lit’l Smokies
Place the Lit’l Smokies over the vegetables.
The sausages are already cooked, so they only need to heat through and release their smoky flavor into the dish.
Step 7: Add the Seasonings
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and dried parsley over everything.
Use salt carefully because the sausages, ranch seasoning, and broth already contain sodium.
Step 8: Add the Liquid
Pour the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce around the sides of the slow cooker.
You don’t need to completely cover the ingredients. The vegetables will release additional moisture while cooking.
Step 9: Add the Butter
Distribute the pieces of butter over the top.
As the butter melts, it combines with the broth and seasonings to create a rich, savory sauce.
Step 10: Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on:
- Low for 6–7 hours
- High for 3–4 hours
The dish is ready when the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
Cooking times may vary depending on the slow cooker and the size of the potatoes.
Step 11: Stir
Gently stir the ingredients approximately halfway through cooking if possible.
This helps distribute the seasonings, but it isn’t necessary if you need to leave the slow cooker unattended.
Step 12: Add Optional Cheese
For a cheesy version, sprinkle shredded cheddar over the dish during the final 10–15 minutes.
Cover the slow cooker and allow the cheese to melt.
Step 13: Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve the Lit’l Smokies, potatoes, and green beans warm with some of the buttery broth spooned over each portion.
Finish with parsley, bacon, or additional black pepper.
Can I Use Canned Green Beans?
Yes. Drain two cans of green beans thoroughly and add them during the final 30–60 minutes of cooking.
Canned green beans are already tender and may become too soft if cooked for the entire time.
You can also use frozen green beans. Add them during the final 1–2 hours without thawing.
The Best Potatoes to Use
Baby gold or red potatoes work especially well because they maintain their shape during slow cooking.
Other good choices include:
- Yukon Gold potatoes
- Red potatoes
- Fingerling potatoes
- Russet potatoes
- Petite mixed-color potatoes
If using russet potatoes, peel them if desired and cut them into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Avoid cutting the potatoes too large because they may not become tender before the other ingredients are ready.
Do I Need to Brown the Lit’l Smokies?
No. The sausages are fully cooked and can go directly into the slow cooker.
However, browning them in a skillet for a few minutes adds caramelized edges and a slightly deeper flavor.
You can also sauté the diced onion with the sausages before adding them to the slow cooker.
How to Keep the Potatoes from Becoming Mushy
Use waxy potatoes such as baby gold or red potatoes and cut them into evenly sized pieces.
Begin checking the potatoes near the lower end of the recommended cooking time.
Avoid repeatedly stirring the dish because this can break the tender potatoes apart.
Recipe Variations
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Version
Add one cup of shredded cheddar during the final 15 minutes.
Finish the dish with cooked, crumbled bacon and sliced green onions.
Cajun Lit’l Smokies and Potatoes
Replace the ranch seasoning with one tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
Add sliced bell pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper for additional heat.
Honey Garlic Version
Omit the ranch seasoning and combine:
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Pour the mixture over the sausages and vegetables before cooking.
BBQ Lit’l Smokies and Potatoes
Replace half the chicken broth with barbecue sauce.
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar for a sweet and smoky finish.
Creamy Ranch Version
During the final 30 minutes, stir in:
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
Cover and continue cooking until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Spicy Version
Add sliced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or spicy smoked sausage.
Can I Add More Vegetables?
Yes. This recipe is easy to customize with vegetables such as:
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Corn
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Broccoli
Cut firm vegetables into small pieces and add them at the beginning. Add quick-cooking vegetables such as broccoli during the final 30–45 minutes.
What to Serve with Lit’l Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans
This recipe makes a complete meal, but you can also serve it with:
- Cornbread
- Dinner rolls
- Garlic bread
- Coleslaw
- Green salad
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked beans
- Cucumber salad
- Steamed corn
- Biscuits
Bread is especially useful for soaking up the buttery, seasoned broth.
Can I Prepare It Ahead?
Yes. Wash and cut the potatoes, trim the green beans, and dice the onion up to one day ahead.
Store the vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Keep cut potatoes submerged in cold water to prevent browning. Drain and dry them before adding them to the slow cooker.
Assemble and begin cooking the recipe when you are ready.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Store the vegetables, sausages, and cooking liquid together to prevent the potatoes from drying out.
How to Reheat
Reheat individual servings in the microwave until hot.
You can also warm leftovers in a covered skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of broth if the mixture appears dry.
For a larger portion, place it in a covered baking dish and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
The sausages and green beans can be frozen, but potatoes sometimes become grainy after thawing.
If you decide to freeze the leftovers, place them in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lit’l Smokies already cooked?
Yes. Packaged Lit’l Smokies are generally fully cooked, but they should still be heated thoroughly before serving.
Should I drain the Lit’l Smokies?
Yes. Remove them from the package and discard any liquid before adding them to the slow cooker.
Do the potatoes need to be boiled first?
No. The potatoes cook directly in the slow cooker.
Should I peel the potatoes?
Peeling is optional. Baby gold and red potatoes have thin skins that can remain on.
Can I use regular smoked sausage?
Yes. Slice one or two smoked sausage links into bite-sized pieces and use them instead of Lit’l Smokies.
Can I use turkey sausage?
Absolutely. Turkey Lit’l Smokies or sliced turkey sausage work well.
Can I add the green beans at the beginning?
Yes. They will become very tender. Add them later if you prefer a firmer texture.
Why are my potatoes still hard?
They may have been cut too large, or the slow cooker may need additional time. Continue cooking until they are fork-tender.
Can I cook this without ranch seasoning?
Yes. Replace the ranch packet with Italian seasoning, onion soup mix, Cajun seasoning, or your favorite all-purpose seasoning.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, if your slow cooker is large enough. Avoid filling it more than approximately three-quarters full, and allow additional cooking time if necessary.
Pro Tips
Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker so they receive the most heat.
Add fresh green beans at the beginning for a soft texture or during the final two hours for firmer beans.
Wait until the dish is finished before adding extra salt. The sausages, broth, and ranch seasoning may already provide enough.
For even more flavor, brown the Lit’l Smokies in a skillet before placing them in the slow cooker.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans recipe is an easy, comforting meal made with smoky sausage, tender vegetables, and a buttery ranch-seasoned broth.
Serve it for a busy weeknight dinner, casual gathering, or potluck. Add cheddar and bacon for a loaded version, Cajun seasoning for extra heat, or barbecue sauce for a sweet and smoky variation.
