Crockpot Swamp Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
Swamp Smoked Sausage and Potatoes is swampy-looking slow cooker dish with buttery potatoes, smoky sausage and green beans in a ranch-Cajun broth. It takes just 10 minutes to prep before the crockpot handles the long cook. It’s not going to win any beauty contests but the cozy, rich flavors explain why this dish went viral.
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This slow cooker green beans, sausage and potatoes recipe has that viral “swamp potatoes” look and rich, buttery flavors. It’s all about tender potatoes, smoky sausage and green beans in delicious ranch-Cajun cooking juices.
If you enjoy potato-based slow cooker dinners, you might like my Crockpot Ham, Potatoes and Green Beans too. And this Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup has the same meat-and-potato comfort in soup form. Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks and Slow Cooker BBQ Little Smokies are also very tasty and easy to make.
Why You’ll Love It
- Short prep time: The recipe takes about 10 minutes to assemble, mostly cutting potatoes and slicing smoked sausage. After that, the slow cooker takes over.
- Savory seasoning: Ranch and Cajun seasoning give the potatoes a salty, peppery coating that’s so good with the smoked sausage, for delicious flavors.
- Viral recipe: Swamp potatoes have that “why does this look like that?” appeal, followed by incredible flavors. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll wish you found earlier.
- Full crockpot meal: Potatoes, sausage, and green beans cook together, so you get meat, vegetables, and starch in one pot and don’t have to make side dishes.
Crockpot Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients, measurements, and detailed instructions.
- Baby potatoes: These cook well in the slow cooker and don’t need peeling. Cut them into similar-size pieces so they soften at the same rate.
- Smoked sausage: Smoked sausage gives the dish its smoky, salty base. Slices are easy to mix through the potatoes. You can use Andouille sausage or any kind you like.
- Whole green beans: Canned whole green beans are already cooked, so they only need the final part of the cook time to warm through.
- Ranch seasoning mix: A standard ranch packet adds garlic, onion, and herb seasoning. You could even make your own Ranch Seasoning Mix and use that.
- Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning gives the broth a peppery kick. Use a lower-salt blend if your smoked sausage is already salty. My Homemade Cajun Seasoning works too.
- Chicken broth: Broth gives the potatoes enough moisture to cook and helps spread the seasoning through the dish.
- Butter: Sliced butter melts into the broth and potatoes during cooking, giving the dish a richer flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
- Another smoked sausage: Kielbasa or turkey smoked sausage can be used here. Andouille gives the strongest Cajun-style bite, though.
- Fresh green beans: Fresh green beans can replace canned, though they need to cook longer. Add them with the potatoes if you want a softer texture.
- Different potatoes: Gold baby potatoes or red baby potatoes are both good choices. Larger potatoes need to be cut into even chunks (and maybe peeled if they’re a thick-skinned variety).
- Milder seasoning: Use less Cajun seasoning if you want less heat or if your Cajun blend is very salty.
- Extra onion flavor: Include sliced onion with the potatoes for a stronger savory base in the broth.
Crockpot Swamp Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby potatoes
- 1 pound smoked sausage sliced
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans whole green beans, drained
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 6 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters and add to the slow cooker.
- Add sliced sausage on top and sprinkle on Cajun seasoning and ranch seasoning.
- Pour in the broth.
- Cut the butter into pieces and add on top.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
- One hour before the end of the cooking time, add the green beans to the crockpot.
- Stir to combine and serve hot.
Notes
- Sausage thickness: Slice the smoked sausage into rounds about ½ inch thick so they mix through the potatoes easily.
- Broth choice: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth if your ranch packet or Cajun seasoning is salty.
- Serving texture: Stir gently before serving so the potatoes don’t break apart too much.
Nutrition Information
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Kim’s Top Tips
- Use a 6-quart slow cooker: This gives the potatoes, sausage and broth enough room to cook evenly.
- Cut the potatoes evenly: Large chunks will cook slower than small pieces, so keep the size as consistent as possible.
- Add canned green beans late: Canned beans can break down if they cook the whole time, so the final hour is enough.
- Taste before salting: Ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning and smoked sausage can make the dish salty without extra help.
- Cook on low when possible: This gives the potatoes time to soften without making the sausage too tough.
How to Store
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. The potatoes will be a bit softer once thawed.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in a covered pan on the stove until hot throughout. Add a splash of broth if the potatoes seem dry.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot smoked sausage and potatoes recipe is filling enough for dinner, but something fresh on the side contrasts well with the buttery broth and adds some color. Try it with Sheet Pan Vegetables, this Broccoli Salad or one of these Simple Green Salad Recipes. And Italian Focaccia is good for mopping up every last swampy bit of the broth!
Slow Cooker Green Beans, Sausage and Potatoes FAQs
The name comes from the murky, green bean-heavy look of the finished dish. It’s not the prettiest crockpot meal but it definitely tastes great.
Pierce a potato chunk with a fork. It should be tender all the way through with no firm center.
It adds peppery seasoning and color to the potatoes. Some blends are saltier than others, so the finished dish can vary by brand.
