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Cozy Pinto Beans with Ham Hock

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A rich, smoky, and comforting pinto beans recipe simmered with ham hock for a hearty, soul-satisfying meal perfect for family dinners and cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry pinto beans (about 2 cups), rinsed and sorted
  • 1 large ham hock
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sort and rinse beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris (about 10 minutes).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add rinsed beans and nestle the ham hock into the pot. Pour in chicken broth, ensuring beans are covered by about 1 inch of liquid. Add a splash of water if needed.
  4. Add bay leaves, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain a slow simmer with a lid partially covering the pot. Cook for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Check beans for tenderness by mashing a few against the pot’s side. If not tender, continue simmering and check every 15 minutes.
  7. Remove the ham hock and let cool slightly. Gradually add salt to taste, avoiding early addition to prevent tough beans.
  8. Shred the meat from the ham hock and stir it back into the beans.
  9. Remove bay leaves and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight is optional but can reduce cooking time. Add salt only after beans are tender to avoid toughening. If beans are too thick, add broth or water to loosen; if too thin, simmer uncovered to thicken. For a vegetarian version, omit ham hock and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke with vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: pinto beans, ham hock, comfort food, slow simmer, smoky beans, family recipe, easy dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/cozy-pinto-beans-with-ham-hock-recipe-easy-comforting-meal-idea/