Southern Ham and Brown Beans

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 200 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

This Southern pinto beans recipe turns a pound of dry pinto beans and a ham hock into a family-favorite meal that will be enjoyed by multiple generations.

Ingredients

1 pound dry pinto beans
1 large, meaty ham hock
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups water
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Directions

1 Gather all ingredients.
2 Combine beans, ham hock, onion, garlic, and water in a large stockpot.
3 Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
4 Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour.
5 After 1 hour, return the pot to the stovetop and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until flavors have blended and broth has thickened, at least 3 hours, or up to 6 hours.
6 During the last 15 minutes of simmering, transfer ham hock to a cutting board. Let sit until cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes, then pull meat from the bone.
7 Return meat to the stockpot and discard the bone. Adjust seasonings to taste.