A Hearty, Smoky Southern Classic: Pinto Beans and Ham
For those seeking a tasteful, economical, and high-protein meal, pinto beans and ham is the ideal option. Perfectly slow-cooked, this Southern-inspired comfort dish lets the smoky ham add rich, complex flavors to the creamy pinto beans. This dish is easy to make and improves over time, whether you cook it in a pressure cooker, slow cooker, or on the stovetop.
Let’s get started on making real, delectable pinto beans and ham from scratch!
⭐ Reasons To Love This Recipe
✔ Simple & Inexpensive – This recipe uses basic pantry goods.
✔ Smoky & Flavorful – The ham gives the beans depth.
✔ Packed with Protein – A healthy, filling dinner ✔ One-Pot Dish – Little cleanup needed ✔ Great for dinner Prep – Tastes even better the following day!
🛒 Ham and Pinto Bean Ingredients
Key Ingredients: – 1 smoked ham hock (or 2 cups diced cooked ham) – 2 cups dried pinto beans
Six cups of water or chicken broth – one diced onion – two minced garlic cloves – one bay leaf
One teaspoon of paprika
Half a teaspoon of black pepper and half a teaspoon of dried thyme
To taste, add salt.
Optional Extras: – 1 diced carrot (provides a touch of sweetness)
🥘 Pinto Beans and Ham Recipe Card
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 2.5 – 3 hours (stovetop) / 8 – 10 hours (slow cooker) / 45 minutes (pressure cooker) |
| Total Time | Varies by method |
| Servings | 4 – 6 |
| Cuisine | Southern / Comfort Food |
| Course | Main Dish |
🛒 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients: | |
| Dried pinto beans | 2 cups |
| Smoked ham hock (or diced ham) | 1 large (or 2 cups diced ham) |
| Water or chicken broth | 6 cups |
| Onion (chopped) | 1 |
| Garlic cloves (minced) | 2 |
| Bay leaf | 1 |
| Paprika | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Dried thyme | ½ tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Optional Additions: | |
| Carrot (chopped) | 1 |
| Celery stalk (chopped) | 1 |
| Cayenne pepper | ½ tsp |
| Apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp |
🔪 Instructions
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Soak beans overnight in water, then drain and rinse before cooking. (For quick-soak, boil for 2 minutes, let sit for 1 hour, then drain.) |
| 2 | In a large pot or slow cooker, add pinto beans, ham hock, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, black pepper, and broth/water. |
| 3 (Stovetop) | Simmer on low heat for 2.5 – 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and ham is falling apart. |
| 3 (Slow Cooker) | Cook on LOW for 8 – 10 hours or HIGH for 5 – 6 hours. |
| 3 (Pressure Cooker) | Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes, then allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes. |
| 4 | Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and discard the bone. Return shredded ham to the beans. |
| 5 | Adjust seasoning with salt and let cook for 15 more minutes before serving. |
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cornbread, rice, or crusty bread.
- Add hot sauce, pickled onions, or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
👨🍳 Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t add salt early – it can toughen beans.
- Mash some beans for a thicker texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit ham and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for flavor.
🥶 Storage & Reheating
| Storage Method | Duration |
|---|---|
| Fridge | Up to 4 days in an airtight container |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Warm on stovetop with a splash of water/broth |
Enjoy your delicious Pinto Beans and Ham! 😊
- One diced celery stalk (adds depth)
For spiciness, add ½ tsp cayenne pepper.
For brightness, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
🔪 How to Prepare Ham with Pinto Beans
Step 1: Prepare the Beans
Let the beans soak in a big bowl of water for the entire night. Before cooking, drain and rinse.
Not enough time? The quick-soak method should be used:
After 2 minutes of boiling, turn off the heat, cover, and leave the beans for 1 hour. Rinse and drain.
Step 2: Prepare the Ham and Beans
Traditional Stovetop Method)
- Put pinto beans, ham hock, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, black pepper, and broth (or water) in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Cover and cook on low for 2.5 – 3 hours, stirring regularly, until it reaches a gentle simmer.
- Slice off the ham hock, throw away the bone, and shred the meat.
- Add the shredded ham back to the saucepan, add salt, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
Hands-Free Cooking with the Slow Cooker Method
- Fill a slow cooker with all ingredients.
- Cook for 8 to 10 hours on LOW or 5 to 6 hours on HIGH.
- Return the meat to the pot after shredding the ham and throwing away the bone.
Easy & Fast Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Method
- Fill the pressure cooker with all the ingredients.
- Seal and cook for 45 minutes at HIGH pressure.
- After 15 minutes of natural pressure release, physically remove the residual pressure.
- Return the shredded ham to the beans.
🍽 Serving Ideas –
Cornbread or Biscuits – A traditional combination to serve your pinto beans and ham with.
For a substantial dinner, choose the steamed rice.
A fresh, earthy contrast is added by the use of collard greens.
For a burst of heat, use hot sauce or pickled jalapeños.
👨🍳 Expert Advice & Variations
– Avoid adding salt too soon! – It may cause the beans to become tough. After cooking, season.
Before serving, mash some of the beans on the side of the pot for a thicker consistency.
To save time, use canned beans. Drain and rinse two 15-oz cans of pinto beans and shorten the cooking time.
A hint of liquid smoke adds a smokey depth to the flavor.
For a meaty taste, use smoked paprika or liquid smoke instead of the ham in this vegetarian version.
❓ FAQs Regarding Ham and Pinto Beans
1. Can I use canned beans for dried ones? Sure! Reduce the cooking time and use two 15-oz cans of drained pinto beans instead.
2. How can one best replace ham hock?
For a comparable taste, use bacon, smoked turkey legs, or chopped ham.
3. Is it possible to prepare this dish without soaking the beans?
Sure, although it might take longer to cook and the beans might not get as soft. Additionally, soaking aids in digestion!
4. How can I make the bean broth thicker?
You may either mash some beans against the edge of the pot or boil the soup uncovered for 15 minutes to allow it to decrease.
5. Which beans complement this dish the most?
Although Great Northern or black beans also work well, pinto beans are the best option.
🌟 Concluding Remarks
This hearty, savory, and simple to prepare dinner of pinto beans and ham is ideal for any occasion. This dish is likely to be a crowd-pleaser whether you prepare it fast in a pressure cooker or slow-cook it for hours.
Take advantage of the rich, smoky taste of home-cooked goodness! and try it for your next family dinner.
