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Ham Hocks and Beans

White beans simmered low and slow with smoky ham hocks until thick, tender, and deeply comforting.

⏱ 10 minPrep time
🔥 150 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Ham hocks and beans

White beans simmered low and slow with smoky ham hocks until thick, tender, and deeply comforting.

Smoky, thick, and soulful

Navy or great northern beans cooked down with ham hocks until the pot liquor turns rich and creamy — soul food at its most honest.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Soak the beans overnight; drain and rinse.
  2. Combine the beans, ham hocks, onion, garlic, bay leaves, pepper, thyme, and water in a large pot.
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the broth is creamy.
  4. Remove the ham hocks, pull off the meat, chop it, and return it to the pot.
  5. Season with salt, stir in the butter, and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with cornbread.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Mash a few beans against the pot to thicken the broth. The ham hocks carry all the seasoning — taste before adding salt.

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Recipe details

Prep10 min
Cook150 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
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 →