Ham, Cabbage & Potatoes~Easy One Pot Meal
This boiled Ham and Cabbage and Potatoes recipe is an easy-to-make one-pot meal requiring minimal effort but resulting in maximum flavor.
If you're looking for the recipe for Instant Pot Ham and Cabbage with Potatoes you can find that here and the Slow Cooker Ham and Cabbage recipe can be found here.
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When I was growing up one of my favorite meals was Ham, Cabbage & Potatoes.
For some reason, I always imagined that it was ridiculously difficult to make probably because I liked it so much and I'm somewhat of a picky eater.
When I got married the first time I was young and other than home ec. class in seventh and eighth grade, I had absolutely no experience with
My mother was holding my hand walking me through cooking and meal planning.
At that time, I would have been totally thrilled to eat at my parent's home every night or to eat out but I had to grow up at some point, right?
One of the many wonderful things my mother did was to ask me what my favorite meals were that she made so that she could give me the recipes and teach me to make them myself.
On my top 5 list was her recipe for ham and cabbage with potatoes.
If you’re looking for a lighter, low-carb soup version of this you can find my Ham and Cabbage Soup recipe here. It’s so easy to make and ready in 30 minutes or less!
Other Simple Recipes You May Like:
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage - Keto friendly
- Butter Steamed Cabbage
- My Mom's Sweet and Sour Cabbage
- Slow Cooker Ribs made with Dr. Pepper
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe plus a few notes (tips). If you don’t see your answer here leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
Can a ham hock be substituted for the ham?
Yes, it can.
Keep in mind that a ham hock will add a more bacon-y flavor to this recipe and while imparting a wonderful flavor, it will not yield much in terms of edible meat.
You can also use a smoked ham hock and/or a leftover ham bone.
What kind of ham works best in this recipe?
A fully cooked bone in ham is my go-to choice but you can also use ham slices as long as they are not flavored, as in not a smoked ham or other ham to which flavors have been added prior to
What goes well with this dish?
I enjoy serving this with a Traditional Irish Soda Bread. If you've never made a loaf before it is so easy and there's no yeast involved so it's ready in less than an hour. You can get my favorite recipe right here.
When cubing the ham cut off as much of the fat as you can. There usually isn't a lot so this will be an easy process.
Leftovers from a previous ham dinner will also work well.
I do not recommend spiral cut hams because these are usually flavored.
How much ham is needed?
I cook big meals but you can use as much or as little as you like.
Leftover ham works well as do ham slices or a whole bone in or boneless ham.
While I used 7 ½ pounds of ham in the photos shared in this post for the stove top version, that may seem like a bit much for many of you and next time, I'll probably use a smaller whole ham.
Can I substitute broth for the water in this recipe?
Yes.
Even though the recipe itself produces a delicious and flavorful ham broth (ham stock) that can be saved and used in soup recipes like this delicious ham and bean soup, using vegetable broth, chicken broth, or beef broth is a great way to add an even deeper level of flavor if desired.
What type of potato(es) should I use?
My go-to potatoes for this great meal are a waxy potato variety such as French fingerling or Red Bliss (red potatoes are also perfect for Grandma's Old-Fashioned Potato Salad!).
Waxy potatoes are preferred because they are low in starch and high in sugar and moisture and will hold their shape well throughout the cooking process.
An alternative would be Yukon Gold potatoes which may be more readily available.
Can any spices or seasonings be added?
This is totally up to you.
If you are concerned that the flavor may be a bit heavy, a single bay leaf can be added for the
No added salt is required since ham is an inherently salty meat.
A note about bone-in hams:
Bone-in hams are available in many sizes. Whole hams are usually anywhere from 10 to 18 pounds while half hams are from 3 to 10 pounds.
A good rule of thumb is to allow approximately ½ pound of bone-in ham per guest.
Boiled Ham and Cabbage Recipe
- If you want a low-carb version, simply omit the potatoes.
- For this recipe, I went to the grocery store and bought the key ingredient, a large ham since the plan was to have leftovers.
- This easy ham recipe is a delicious blend of ham and cabbage and potatoes and is a delightful year round meal.
Ingredients
- Ham - bone-in is best, NOT flavored (you can also use leftover ham)
- Potatoes-as many or as few as you would like but 3 pounds is a good starting point (tips regarding the type of potato to use can be found in the Notes section)
- Green Cabbage-1 head
Instructions:
- Cube the ham into smaller pieces,1 to 1 ½ inch cubes, and place on the bottom of a large pot. I have a large stockpot that I use specifically for this recipe. I really load it up but I make sure I leave enough room so that it doesn’t boil over.
- Next, cube the cabbage, 1-½ to 2-inch cubes. Place cabbage cubes on top of the ham.
- Clean potatoes, peel and cube, and layer on top of the cabbage.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cover the ham, cabbage, and potatoes with water about 1 inch above the top of potatoes.
- Cook on high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and cabbage is cooked-approximately 60 minutes. Check the potatoes every 15 to 20 minutes so that they are not overcooked. You want them to hold their shape and not get mushy.
- Use a slotted spoon to serve.
I like to save the broth to use in other ham recipes like this ham and bean deliciously tasty soup.
That's it-super simple and oh so good!
If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Boiled Ham and Cabbage - One Pot Recipe Card
📖 Recipe
Ham Cabbage and Potatoes - STOVE TOP Single Pot
Ingredients
- 7 pound ham bone-in is best, not flavored
- 3 pounds potatoes
- 1 head cabbage approximately 2 pounds
- ½ teaspoon salt keep in mind that the ham will in all likelihood be salty
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cube the ham into 1 to 1 ½ inch cubes and place on the bottom of a large pot. I have a large stock pot that I use specifically for this recipe. I really load it up but I make sure I leave enough room so that it doesn't boil over. Be sure to add the bone for flavor!
- Next, cube the cabbage, 1-½ to 2-inch cubes, and layer on top of the ham.
- Peel and cube potatoes and layer on top of the cabbage.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cover the ham, cabbage, and potatoes with water about 1 inch above the top of potatoes.
- Cook on high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and cabbage is cooked-approximately 60 minutes.
Notes
- As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.
- Easily make this dish low carb by omitting the potatoes.
As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.
Nutrition
P.S. I made this huge pot with enough for 2 meals for my family of 5 for close to $20.00
Pin the Stove Top Version Below!
Sounds good to me!! Thanks.
Looks delicious and easy. A one pot meal. Do you serve anything else with it?
I like to serve this with fresh bread for dipping into the 'broth'. Italian bread or French bread are my favorites. : )
Ooh, I love a nice easy meal! My family would love this! How many potatoes do you use?
Stop by my blog and see the award I gave you!
https://songberries.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-was-given-kreativ-blogger-award.html
Thank you : ) We used 6 large potatoes.
I love one pot meals and this one sounds GREAT!!!
Geri
Sounds so tasty. My Grandma used to make a dish like this and I loved it. Thank you very much! PS, I love your blog 🙂
Love this growing up. Forgot how long to cook. Thanks. Usually after the potatoes and cabbage are done I get a big pan under the strainer, the juices I turn into gravy with alittle bit of flour and milk. Thanks so much for the instructions. have to run to turn down the stove.
Ham, cabbage and potatoes is always a feel good, reminds me of my childhood, autumn type meal. I guess my mom cheated though as we do it in the pressure cooker, so it's literally just a few minutes to make. I actually have some on the stove now. I'm going to have to try to make it this way now too.
YUMMY!
I usually add onion and cook in the crock pot all day!! So good and so easy! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe! Since finding it, I have prepared it four yummy times! I smell it cooking as I type!
Make this today-great recipe - only used 1/2 head cabbage - c0oked it in the slow cooker on High for 3 hours and on stove top for 1/2 hour.
Will make it again soon.
This is a tradition on the eastern shore of Maryland. I make it after we have finished a ham and have the bone with some meat left on it. I boil/simmer the ham bone for 1 hour, then add the potatoes and cabbage and continue cooking for another 45 minutes. We serve it with apple cider vinegar and biscuits!
My mom always added carrots or rutabaga (turnip) just to add some color.
My mom use to make this and I didn't like it, so she always made split pea soup with it, which I loved. I asked her how to make her split pea soup and she laughed and said well you have to make ham and cabbage first.
I've never tried or made split pea soup....I'll have to try it! Thanks for stopping by, Wendy.
sounds great can't wait to try it!
Thanks for stopping by, Marie!
This is a great recipe. I have eaten this since my childhood. The only thing we do differently is to cook it all in Chicken broth instead of water..........Thanks for bringing it back to my attention.
Ron
Thanks for stopping by, Ron. I'll have to try chicken broth the next time I make this.
I really like dishes that contain cabbage and this one looks really tasty. I cannot wait to cook it!
🎃 Your recipe is great… I would only add carrots because they give a sweet Flavor … in my 79 Years I have cooked this wonderful, healthy meal .. for my family and also for guests…
Guests love it… I add sourdough bread and butter and a homemade jelly… It is truly a delicious meal……And I add a jello with apple cut up in it… banana on top and a dab of whip cream ( Out of the can or home made)…YUMMY
This is good old fashioned cooking at its best… easy… no stress and totally DELISH 🎃
I wish you all good health, and a prosperous, holiday season..
Another great memory… Thank you
Happy Trails🧡
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and I will have to remember to add carrots the next time I make this and I loved the idea of adding sourdough bread to the menu. Thank you again...so very much, and a healthy and prosperous holiday season to you as well. 🧡🧡🧡
Can you use Napa Cabbage in this recipe
Hi Sally, You can use Napa Cabbage for this recipe. The end result will be slightly sweeter but just as delicious.
Can I make this w ham steaks?
You sure can, Julie! I've done that and it's just as delicious.
This is one of my favorite meals at home on a cool evening.
This is one of my favorite meals as well!
I made this using a 3lb canned ham. With Inflation rising every day, I am buying canned food which store longer. It was AMAZING!!! Freezing some of the broth for soup later.. thank you so much for posting this!!
Using canned ham is such a great tip especially now, Laura! Thanks so much for sharing. xo
I feel you, I just found ham on sale and bought a 20 pounder, cut it up and froze it! Enough ham for quite a few meals.
Thanks for posting this, it’s my favorite recipe from growing up, just like my mom made. I simmer the ham for an hour, then add the potatoes and cabbage, I don’t like my cabbage too mushy so 20 minutes is enough. There’s so many recipes adding vegetables and weird stuff, I just wanted the simple three ingredient recipe!
You are so welcome, Laura! I'm glad the recipe is what you were looking for and that is so smart to buy a large ham and then freeze it for other meals. We've got to think smart especially right now. Have an awesome day.
I made this with some hesitation, how could just these few ingredients make a good meal. BUT THEY DID! It was so delicious and quick, we all loved it. Pure comfort food! The only thing I changed was veggie stock for water, otherwise kept the recipe as is. Really good!
I am so glad you liked the recipe, Emjay, and thank you so much for letting me know. xo
How long do you cook for on the stove top? And how much water? Thanks
Hi Nicole, Cover the ham, cabbage, and potatoes with water so that the water level is about 1 inch above the top of the layers - this will depend on the size of your pot so just keep adding water until it reaches this level. Cook on high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and cabbage is cooked-approximately 60 minutes. But, check the potatoes every 15 to 20 minutes so that they are not overcooked. You want them to hold their shape and not get mushy. Depending on the potatoes and cabbage everything can be done cooking in 20 minutes. xo, Mary Beth
This was one of my favorites as a child as well. I still love it so much, especially the 2nd and 3rd day. I have started adding a little bag of carrots just for variety 😊
Thank you for the carrot tip! I will try that the next time I make it. xo
I am looking at making this soon and I just needed a bit of clarification. Historically, when I have made boiled dinner I use a bone-in ham, which you also recommended. Your recipe says to cube the ham, do I put the bone in the pot for flavor? Or do I keep the bone out of the soup and freeze it for whenever I want to use it at a later date?
Thanks, Angela
Hi Angela, I cube the ham but still put the bone in the pot for the flavor! I'm sorry I wasn't clear about that. Thank you for pointing out my error. Enjoy! mb
I made this today X2 but I added chicken broth, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Tasted delicious!!!
Thank you so much for letting me know you tried the recipe and you liked it, and thanks for letting me know your variation! Sounds wonderful.
Thank you for the recipe I was looking for a stove top version and I found it here.
I will use chicken stock instead of water and I like to add a can or two of cut green beans and with it.
The green beans sound like a delicious addition! Thanks for sharing, Sonny.
First time making this, I found this recipe on Google, I read the comments and some was saying can I use chicken broth instead of the water, so I decided to use 1 cup of chicken broth and the rest water pluss the salt n pepper turned out so good it was just perfect flavor, thank you I'm very pleased with this recipe
Hello Dana. Thank you so much for letting me know that you liked the recipe. I truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and also to let me know the tweaks that you made. Very helpful. Thank you, again!