Southern Pinto Beans with Smoked Ham Hocks

by

Served with Golden Skillet Cornbread

This meal is pure comfort food — slow-cooked, smoky, rich, and filling. Pinto beans simmered low and slow with smoked ham hocks create a deep, savory broth, perfect for dipping warm cornbread.

PINTO BEANS WITH SMOKED HAM HOCKS

🧾 Ingredients

  • 2 lbs dried pinto beans
  • 2 smoked ham hocks (or 3 for extra meat)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt (add later, ham hocks are salty)
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8–10 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions (Slow Cooker Method – Best Flavor)

  1. Sort & Rinse Beans
    Pick through beans and rinse well. No soaking required, but you can soak overnight for faster cooking.
  2. Layer the Slow Cooker
    Add beans, ham hocks, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and all seasonings except salt.
  3. Add Liquid
    Pour in water or broth until beans are covered by about 2 inches.
  4. Cook Low & Slow
  • LOW: 8–10 hours
  • HIGH: 5–6 hours
  1. Finish the Beans
    Remove ham hocks, shred meat, discard bones and skin.
    Return meat to the pot.
  2. Taste & Season
    Add salt only if needed. Stir well.
  3. Optional Creamy Finish
    Mash a cup of beans and stir back in for thicker, creamier beans.

Serving Tips

  • Serve hot with cornbread
  • Add sliced onions or hot sauce on top
  • Even better the next day!

GOLDEN SKILLET CORNBREAD

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven
    400°F (200°C). Place a cast-iron skillet inside to heat.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients
    Cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients
    Milk, eggs, oil or butter.
  4. Combine
    Stir wet into dry just until combined.
  5. Bake
    Grease hot skillet, pour batter in, bake 20–25 minutes until golden.

Optional Add-Ins

  • Corn kernels
  • Jalapeños
  • Cheddar cheese

Why This Meal Is So Loved

  • Affordable
  • Feeds a big family
  • High in protein & fiber
  • Comfort food at its best
  • Perfect for cold days or Sunday dinner

Leave a Comment