Southern Pinto Beans Recipe

homemade southern pinto beans in bowl with cornbread on top

This simple and delicious southern pinto beans recipe is packed full of flavor and nutrition. Make it as simply as you want to, or make it more flavorful with additional optional ingredients.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword how to cook pinto beans, Pinto Beans Recipe, southern pinto beans recipe

Prep Time 8

Cook Time 1

Total Time 9

Servings servings

Calories 131kcal

Ingredients

1 lb dried pinto beans
1 tbsp salt (plus more to taste)
1 tsp garlic (optional)
1 tsp black pepper (optional)
1/2 lb ham hock, or ham bone (optional)

Instructions

Sort your beans and get rid of any split beans and rocks.
Soak your beans overnight or using the quick soak method.
Quick Soak: Rinse and sort beans in large pot. To 1 lb. of beans (about 2 cups) add 6-8 cups hot water. Bring to boil for 2 min. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain soak water and rinse beans.
Overnight Soak: Rinse and sort beans in large pot. To 1 lb. of beans (about 2 cups) add 6-8 cups hot water. Let stand over- night, or at least 6-8 hours. Drain soak water and rinse beans.
Put the soaked and rinsed beans in 3-4 quart pot with 10 cups hot water. Add the salt and any optional items from the recipe, as desired.
Simmer gently with lid tilted until tender, about 1 to 1/2-2 hours OR until beans have reached the desired texture and water level.
Do not add cold water to hot beans as it will cause splitting.
Serve alone or with a side of cornbread.

Nutrition