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Slow-simmered pinto beans cooked with a savory ham hock until incredibly tender and flavorful. This Southern classic is pure comfort food, perfect with cornbread for a hearty, satisfying meal.
For 4 servings
Soak the Beans
Sauté Aromatics
Simmer the Beans until Tender
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Slow-simmered pinto beans cooked with a savory ham hock until incredibly tender and flavorful. This Southern classic is pure comfort food, perfect with cornbread for a hearty, satisfying meal.
This southern recipe takes 135 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 1031.46 calories per serving with 75.77g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side.
Finish and Thicken
Serve
Omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth. To replicate the smoky flavor, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke with the other spices.
Add one or two diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the onions for a spicy kick.
Instead of a ham hock, you can use a smoked turkey leg, salt pork, or even chopped bacon for a different smoky flavor profile.
For a much faster meal, use 3 (15-ounce) cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed. Reduce the broth to 2 cups and simmer for only 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.
Pinto beans are packed with dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, and can contribute to lowering cholesterol.
As a great source of protein, these beans are essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Folate (Vitamin B9) is crucial for healthy cell growth and function. It's particularly important for red blood cell formation and preventing certain birth defects.
The combination of fiber, potassium, and folate in pinto beans, along with their low-fat nature (before adding meat), contributes to overall cardiovascular health.
A 1.5-cup serving of these pinto beans with ham hock contains approximately 520 calories, though this can vary based on the size and fat content of the ham hock.
Yes, pinto beans are very healthy. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, folate, and manganese. The fiber aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar. While the ham hock adds flavor, it also contributes sodium and saturated fat, so enjoy it in moderation.
Soaking is highly recommended. It reduces cooking time, helps the beans cook more evenly, and can make them easier to digest by breaking down some of the complex sugars that cause gas. If you forget, you can use the quick-soak method mentioned in the tips.
Absolutely! For a slow cooker, sauté the aromatics on the stove, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. For an Instant Pot, sauté the aromatics using the 'Sauté' function, then add the remaining ingredients (using soaked beans) and pressure cook on high for 35-40 minutes, followed by a natural release.
Store leftover pinto beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if they have thickened too much.
This can happen for a few reasons. Your beans might be old; dried beans lose moisture over time and take longer to cook. Hard water (high in minerals) can also prevent beans from softening. Lastly, adding acidic ingredients or salt too early can toughen the bean skins.