Hey, y’all! Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans are one of the simplest and most comforting meals you'll ever make. Slow-simmered with smoky meat and humble pantry staples, this mountain classic has been filling tables for generations. It's hearty, full of rich flavor, and the kind of meal that makes a house feel like home.

Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans

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Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans are one of the dishes I remember most from growing up in Kentucky. My granny made them often, usually with a pan of hot cornbread and sliced sweet onions on the table. It wasn't a fancy meal, but it always brought everyone together. That's what I love most about this recipe. With a handful of simple ingredients and a little patience, you end up with a hearty, flavorful meal that still feels like home every time I make it. It's also a very affordable recipe to feed your family!

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Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans Ingredients

• 2 lbs. dry pinto beans
• 6 c. water
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 tbsp. salt

How to Make Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans

1. Rinse the dried pinto beans under cool water, removing any stones or debris.
2. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with 6 cups of warm water, making sure the water is at least 1½ inches above the beans. Soak for 5–6 hours or overnight.
3. Drain the soaking water and transfer the beans to a 6-quart Dutch oven or large stockpot. Add 5–6 cups of fresh water, the salt, and the ham hock. The beans should be covered by at least 1 inch of water, and the ham hock should be fully submerged.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. Add more water during cooking if needed to keep the beans covered.
5. Remove the ham hock. Shred any meat from the bone and stir it back into the beans, if desired.
6. Serve hot with cornbread and sliced sweet onion, if desired.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

1. Add more water as needed to keep the beans covered while they simmer.
2. Substitute bacon or salt pork if you don't have a ham hock.
3. After soaking, cook the beans in a slow cooker on low for 7–8 hours.
4. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Recipes You'll Love

1. MawMaw's Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
2. Mexican Cornbread
3. Old Fashioned Kentucky Burgoo
4. Kentucky Spoon Bread

Recipe

Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans

JC Phelps

Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans are a hearty mountain classic that's simple, comforting, and perfect with a slice of cornbread.

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Prep Time 5 hours hrs

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs

Course Soup, Southern

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 206 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 lbs. dry pinto beans
• 6 c. water
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 tbsp. salt

Instructions

 

• Rinse the dried pinto beans under cool water, removing any stones or debris.
• Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with 6 cups of warm water, making sure the water is at least 1½ inches above the beans. Soak for 5–6 hours or overnight.
• Drain the soaking water and transfer the beans to a 6-quart Dutch oven or large stockpot. Add 5–6 cups of fresh water, the salt, and the ham hock. The beans should be covered by at least 1 inch of water, and the ham hock should be fully submerged.
• Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. Add more water during cooking if needed to keep the beans covered.
• Remove the ham hock. Shred any meat from the bone and stir it back into the beans, if desired.

Notes

1. Add more water as needed to keep the beans covered while they simmer.
2. Substitute bacon or salt pork if you don't have a ham hock.
3. After soaking, cook the beans in a slow cooker on low for 7–8 hours.
4. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 13gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 737mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Appalachian Pinto Soup Beans

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My best,

JC