Juicy sausages slow-cooked on a bed of tender green beans. A super simple, flavorful one-pot meal with almost no prep.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on Low or 2–3 hours on High
Total Time: About 2½–5½ hours
Servings: 4–6
Equipment: 6-quart slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6–8 Italian sausages or smoked sausages (about 1½–2 lbs / 700–900 g)
- 1½–2 lbs (700–900 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
(or 2 bags frozen green beans) - 1 medium onion, sliced (optional but recommended)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (optional)
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a little heat
Detailed Instructions
- Prep the green beans
Wash and trim the fresh green beans. If using frozen, no need to thaw. - Load the slow cooker
Place the green beans in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add the sliced onion and minced garlic (if using).
Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Pour in the chicken broth or water. - Add the sausages
Place the sausages on top of the green beans in a single layer.
Drizzle with a little olive oil or add a small pat of butter if desired. - Cook
Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or on High for 2–3 hours, until the sausages are cooked through and the green beans are tender. - Finish
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
You can leave the sausages whole or slice them before serving. - Serve
Serve the sausages and green beans together with some of the cooking juices spooned over the top.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Fresh green beans hold their texture better than frozen, but both work well.
- For more flavor, brown the sausages in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker.
- If you like softer green beans, cook on Low for the full 5 hours.
- Want extra sauce? Add ½ cup of your favorite marinara or a splash of soy sauce + honey for a different flavor profile.
- Smoked sausages (like kielbasa) give a deeper flavor, while Italian sausages are more herby.
Popular Variations
- Garlic butter version: Add 2–3 tablespoons of butter and extra garlic.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausages + red pepper flakes.
- With potatoes: Add baby potatoes at the beginning for a heartier meal.
- Tomato style: Pour 1 cup of marinara or diced tomatoes over everything.
- Bacon boost: Sprinkle cooked crumbled bacon on top before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve as a complete low-carb meal, or pair with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the juices. Great for easy weeknight dinners.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
- Freezing: Freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.