my comfort recipes
♥ Log in Sign up
  • en
  • fr
  • es
  • pt
  • de
  • it
  • nl
    • 🌍 World Kitchen
    🌍 World Kitchen
    Log in Sign up
    Home / Appalachian Kitchen / Appalachian Soup Beans

    Appalachian Soup Beans

    Dried pinto beans simmered low and slow with a ham hock until creamy and tender — a mountain kitchen staple.

    ⏱ 10 minPrep time
    🔥 150 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 Appalachian KitchenCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Appalachian Soup Beans

    Dried pinto beans simmered low and slow with a ham hock until creamy and tender — a mountain kitchen staple.

    The bean pot that fed the hills

    Pinto beans, a ham bone, and time — the humblest, most beloved dish in Appalachian cooking, made for cornbread.

    Appalachian recipes →

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Rinse the beans and pick over them; soak overnight and drain.
    2. Combine the beans, ham hock, onion, garlic, and water in a large pot.
    3. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and cook 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are creamy and tender.
    4. Remove the ham hock, pull off the meat, chop it, and return it to the pot.
    5. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with cornbread and chow chow.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The slower they cook, the creamier they get. Some cooks mash a few beans against the pot to thicken the broth.

    Rate this recipe

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Sign in to rate this recipe.

    Recipe details

    Prep10 min
    Cook150 min
    Servings6
    CategoryAppalachian Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 16, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

    Keep browsingYou might also like

    View all recipes →