Description
A classic Southern comfort dish, Soup Beans are slow-simmered pinto beans enriched with smoky ham hocks, bacon, and savory aromatics. Perfectly seasoned and deeply flavorful, this hearty bowl is ideal for cozy dinners and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 smoked ham hocks (or 1 large)
- 4 ounces smoked pork jowl, chopped
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1–2 jalapeños or Fresnos, chopped (optional)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½–1 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook bacon and pork jowl until browned.
- Add chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and jalapeños (if using). Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add pinto beans, ham hocks, bay leaf, paprika, thyme, cayenne (if using), and liquid (water or broth).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 to 2½ hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender.
- Remove ham hocks, shred meat, and return it to the pot. Discard bay leaf.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with chopped onion and hot sauce.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: soup beans, pinto beans, Southern comfort food