Southern Pinto Beans Recipe
Delicious Southern Pinto Beans Recipe - Easy & Flavorful. A comforting, budget-friendly dish made with slow-cooked pinto beans, smoked ham hock, and simple seasonings, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 450g dried pinto beans
- 1 large or 2 small smoked ham hocks
- 1 cup chopped bacon ends
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups water
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Sort and rinse 1 lb of dry pinto beans. For the quick soak, bring to a boil for 1 minute, then let sit for 1 hour.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, cook bacon ends over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant.
- Add water, soaked beans, thyme, bay leaves, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, until tender.
- For the crockpot, combine all ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours. For Instant Pot, follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Serve with white rice and cornbread.
Notes
- You can soak the beans overnight or use the quick soak method to save time.
- For a vegetarian version, replace smoked ham hock with vegetable broth.
- Storage: Refrigerate cooked beans for up to a week, or freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat slowly with added liquid.
- This dish is versatile and can be served with cornbread, rice, or collard greens.