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Beans Cooked with Ham Hock

Beans Cooked with Ham Hock

Beans Cooked with Ham Hock is a comforting Southern-style dish featuring tender, slow-simmered beans infused with rich, smoky ham hock flavor. This hearty, flavorful meal uses simple ingredients and a slow-cooking process to create a nutritious, satisfying bowl perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Versatile and adaptable, it offers options for various dietary preferences while filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

  • Total Time: Approximately 8 to 10 hours (including soaking)
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Protein

  • 1 lb dry beans (navy, pinto, or great northern)
  • 1 ham hock

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 2 bay leaves

Seasoning and Liquid

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)

Instructions

  1. Prep and Soak the Beans: Rinse your dry beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris. For quicker cooking and easier digestion, soak the beans overnight or for at least 6 hours in plenty of water. This step softens the beans and shortens cooking time.
  2. Brown the Ham Hock: In a large heavy-bottom pot, lightly brown the ham hock over medium heat to deepen its smoky aroma. This step releases flavorful oils and enhances the final taste of the beans.
  3. Add Aromatics and Beans: Once the ham hock is browned, add chopped onions, garlic cloves, and drained soaked beans to the pot. Stir together to coat everything with the savory ham flavors before adding liquid.
  4. Simmer Low and Slow: Pour in water or broth, enough to fully cover the beans and ham hock by a couple of inches. Add bay leaves and bring everything to a gentle boil. Reduce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and creamy.
  5. Season and Serve: Once the beans are soft and the ham hock meat is tender, remove the bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste, shred some ham from the hock back into the pot, and stir well before serving warm.

Notes

  • Soak beans thoroughly to reduce cooking time and improve texture.
  • Slow simmering extracts maximum flavor from the ham hock.
  • Monitor liquid levels during cooking and add water if needed to prevent burning.
  • Add salt toward the end of cooking to avoid toughening the beans.
  • Save leftover broth for use in soups or sauces for added depth.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 6 to 8 hours (including soaking time)
  • Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 9 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: beans, ham hock, slow cooked, Southern style, comfort food, hearty meal, gluten free, easy recipe