Southern Living Pinto Beans
Indulge in the hearty comfort of Southern Living Pinto Beans, a soul-soothing classic bursting with Southern charm. This slow-simmered recipe combines tender, creamy pinto beans with the smoky richness of a ham hock, aromatic notes of onion and garlic, and a warming blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Perfectly seasoned and simmered to perfection, these beans stand out as a flavorful main dish or a delectable side when paired with cornbread or rice. With just 10 minutes of prep and a long, leisurely cook time that deepens the flavors, this one-pot recipe is as easy as it is satisfying—ideal for cozy family dinners or weekend gatherings. Don't forget the optional kick of hot sauce and garnish of fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch! Keywords: Southern Living Pinto Beans, hearty pinto beans recipe, slow-cooked beans, Southern comfort food, ham hock beans.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 large ham hock
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon (optional) hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons (optional garnish) chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Rinse the pinto beans thoroughly under cool water and remove any debris or damaged beans.
Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with 2 inches of water. Soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat on medium and add the diced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ham hock, soaked pinto beans, chicken broth, and water to the pot.
Stir in the smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the beans simmer for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Check on the beans to ensure they are tender. If the liquid level gets too low, add additional water or chicken broth as needed.
Once the beans are fully cooked and the flavors have melded, remove the ham hock and bay leaf. Shred any meat from the ham hock and return it to the pot, discarding the bone.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or optional hot sauce as desired.
Serve the pinto beans warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. They can be enjoyed as a main dish or as a side with cornbread or rice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
412 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.9 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.0 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 82 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 2216 mg | 96% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.6 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g | ||
| Protein | 35.5 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 92 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 931 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
