Beans Cooked with Ham Hock

Here’s a classic Beans Cooked with Ham Hock recipe — smoky, hearty, and full of flavor 🍲🥓

🥘 Beans with Ham Hock

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) dried beans (pinto, navy, or great northern), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
• 1 ham hock (smoked for best flavor)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced (optional)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (optional)
• 6–8 cups water or broth
• 1 tsp salt (adjust later)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1–2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Bay leaf (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare beans
   • Rinse soaked beans. If using quick-soak: cover beans with water, bring to boil 2–3 min, then soak 1 hour.
2. Cook aromatics
   In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in a bit of oil until softened.
3. Add beans & ham hock
   Add beans, ham hock, water or broth, paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer
   Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender.
   • Add more water if needed.
5. Season & serve
   • Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to beans.
   • Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
   • Serve hot with cornbread, rice, or crusty bread.

Tips

• Soaking beans shortens cooking time and improves digestibility.
• Use smoked ham hock for that deep, savory flavor.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day.

I can also give you a slow-cooker version, a quick stove-top version, or a spicy Southern-style version if you want.

Do you want me to make one of those?