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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 rich and hearty dish featuring tender beans simmered with smoky ham hock, aromatic vegetables, and savory broth. This comforting classic offers a soulful, nourishing meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining creamy beans with deep smoky flavors for a satisfying experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried beans (pinto, navy, or great northern)
  • 1 ham hock (about 1–1.5 lbs)
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • 1–2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper (for spicy variation)
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary (for herbal extras)

Instructions

  1. Soak the Beans: Rinse dried beans thoroughly, then soak them overnight in plenty of water. Alternatively, quick soak by boiling beans for a few minutes, then let them rest covered for 1 hour. This softens the beans and reduces cooking time.
  2. Prepare the Ham Hock and Vegetables: While beans soak, peel and chop the onion, mince the garlic, and prepare any optional vegetables like celery or carrots. These ingredients build the flavor base for the dish.
  3. Simmer the Beans and Ham Hock: Drain soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Add ham hock, chopped onions, garlic, bay leaves, broth, and any optional vegetables or seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender and flavors meld.
  4. Season and Adjust: When beans are soft and ham hock has infused the broth, season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove ham hock from pot, shred the meat off the bone, then stir the shredded meat back into the beans for texture and flavor.
  5. Final Simmer and Serve: Let the beans simmer an additional few minutes to fully absorb seasonings and smoky flavor. Serve hot, garnished if desired.

Notes

  • Always soak dried beans to ensure even cooking and improved digestibility.
  • Simmer beans gently over low heat to prevent splitting and develop rich flavors.
  • Save the ham cooking broth for use in soups or stews later.
  • Add salt near the end of cooking to avoid toughening bean skins.
  • Carefully shred ham hock meat to distribute smoky flavor evenly throughout the dish.
  • Ham hocks can be salty, so season conservatively and taste before adding more salt.

Nutrition

Keywords: beans recipe, ham hock beans, hearty beans, smoky beans, comfort food, family meal

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