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Beans Cooked with Ham Hock

Beans Cooked with Ham Hock
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Beans Cooked with Ham Hock is a hearty and soul-warming classic comfort dish featuring tender beans simmered slowly with smoky ham hock, delivering rich, savory flavors and satisfying textures. Perfect for cozy meals, this easy-to-prepare recipe combines minimal ingredients to create a nutritious, filling, and versatile dish suitable for family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb dry beans (such as navy or pinto)
  • 1 ham hock (about 1–1.5 lbs)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable broth recommended)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika or chili flakes (for smoky or spicy kick)

Instructions

  1. Soak and Prep the Beans: Rinse the dry beans thoroughly under cold water. Soak them overnight in enough water to cover by 2 inches to soften and reduce cooking time. For a quick soak, boil the beans for 5 minutes, then cover and let sit for 1 hour before draining.
  2. Prepare the Aromatics: Chop the onion and lightly smash the garlic cloves to release their flavors. These aromatics will infuse the beans during cooking.
  3. Cook the Ham Hock and Beans Together: In a large pot, combine the soaked beans, ham hock, chopped onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and enough water or broth to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and meat is falling off the bone.
  4. Season and Finish: Remove the ham hock and set aside to cool slightly. Season the beans with salt, pepper, and add smoked paprika or chili flakes if using. Remove meat from the ham hock bone, chop into bite-sized pieces, and return to the pot. Stir gently and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to meld flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Use good quality ham hock for richer, smokier flavor.
  • Simmer the beans low and slow to extract maximum flavor and tenderize perfectly.
  • Add salt only at the end of cooking to prevent beans from toughening.
  • Skim off any foam during cooking to keep broth clear and tasty.
  • Substitute water with chicken or vegetable broth for up to 10% richer flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: beans, ham hock, comfort food, hearty beans, smoky flavor, slow cooked beans, easy bean recipe

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/beans-cooked-with-ham-hock/