This Texas Pinto Beans with Ham Hock Recipe is one we finally put down on paper a few years ago. As in most kitchens across the country, these recipes are passed down. And the measurement of ingredients was not a hard-fast rule, it was kinda up to the cook’s taste buds on that given day.
A pot of beans with ham hocks was always a staple at our house growing up, I really don’t remember when mama didn’t have a pot of beans on the stove. Mama used ham hocks in her pinto beans, I’m sure because ham hocks were cheap and money was tight when I was a kid. And mama didn’t call these Texas Pinto Beans nor did she consider using ham hocks a special ingredient in her recipe, I think it was her way of giving us a little extra protein.
We grew up eating these pinto beans at almost every meal. Other than breakfast, our menu was always pinto beans with ham hocks, fried tators, (not to be confused with french fries) macaroni and canned tomatoes served with a big cast iron skillet of cornbread.
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After I left home, it was years and years before I could eat pinto beans, in my mind they were a poor man’s food and I linked them to rough financial times. That and biscuits and gravy, I know, we crave that stuff now. But when we had biscuits and gravy when I was a kid it was because mama didn’t have bacon nor eggs in the fridge and she never bought dry cereal. Of course, I outgrew all this and realized my childhood was nothing to be ashamed of nor run from, it was like so many other childhoods during that time. We were raised by parents that grew up in the depression era and they made every penny count. Today I am proud of my childhood history and the fact that my children had a life so much easier.
I also realized it was hard to eat a plate of BBQ without a side of beans. And who can live in Texas without a plate of Texas Brisket with a good size helping of beans on the side? Plus I married my sweet food-loving hubby who craves pinto beans so we begin cooking them again. And he is my seasoner, he is the one that does the taste test for salt, flavorings, etc and he is always right.
So we took pen to paper and with our cast iron dutch oven, we wrote the best Texas Pinto Beans with Ham Hock Recipe. We follow this and it’s always great. And we have even doubled it and it works.
Pinto Beans with Ham Hock Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dry pinto beans
- 1 ½ pounds smoked ham hocks
- Medium onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Equipment needed:
- Large Dutch Oven or Soup Pot
How to make Texas Pinto Beans
Instructions:
-
Clean beans by removing any little rocks or debris. Rinse beans well and place in a large dutch oven, fill with water and let soak overnight or at least 3-4 hours
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Drain and rinse, add enough water to cover beans and bring to a boil. Drain, rinse and add enough water to cover the beans again. These steps will remove the gas from the beans and will reduce cooking time.
-
Bring them to a boil then lower heat to just a simmer, add the whole ham hock, chopped onion, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. On a low simmer cook for one hour and then begin checking for doneness, adding more water as needed
-
Wait to salt when the beans are barely tender for two reasons, the ham hocks may add enough salt and the beans will get tender faster without the salt.
-
Before serving, remove 1/2 cup of beans, mash and return to the pot for thicker juice.
Did you know that pinto beans are in fact very healthy food? Loaded with fiber, protein (15 grams per 1 cup)?
I now view these beans as comfort food embedded deep in our Texas roots and I think a little of mama making ends meet with this big pot of beans, where she filled our bellies with good food even though her wallet was sometimes empty.
Other Homestyle Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Pineapple and Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
- Texas Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
- Mini Cornbread Muffins with or without Jalapenos
- New Mexican Cornbread
Click Here to Save this Pinto Beans with Ham Hock Recipe to Pinterest
Texas Pinto Beans with Ham Hock Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry pinto beans
- 1 ½ lbs smoked ham hock
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Clean beans by removing any little rocks or debris. Rinse beans well and place in a large dutch oven, fill with water and let soak overnight or at least 3-4 hours
- Drain and rinse, add enough water to cover beans and bring to a boil. Drain, rinse and add enough water to cover the beans again. These steps will remove the gas from the beans and will reduce cooking time.
- Bring them to a boil then lower heat to just a simmer, add the whole ham hock, chopped onion, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. On a low simmer cook for one hour and then begin checking for doneness, adding more water as needed
- Wait to salt to taste when the beans are barely tender for two reasons, the ham hocks may add enough salt and the beans will get tender faster without the salt.
- Before serving, remove 1/2 cup of beans, mash and return to the pot for thicker juice.
Nutrition
Vicki
Wednesday 7th of February 2024
This is the same way I have always made my beans except I use fresh garlic. Texas staple when I was growing up, my kids grew up on it and now my grandkids. My grandmother learned from her mother. Generational food!
Lu Ann
Thursday 5th of October 2023
I loved your blog. I. Looking for ways to make my beans tasty and trying to find the unamused flavor. Thus recipe has been pinned. Simple ingredients can go a long way for delicious. Thank you.
Evelyn
Friday 6th of October 2023
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your kind comments. Yes simple ingredients are sometimes underestimated and can go a long way.
Dave
Saturday 13th of May 2023
My mom's standard recipe used salt pork rather than ham hocks. I save the ham hocks for great northern beans. Often served poured over a slice of white bread with a slice of white onion, and a bottle of Trappy's pickled Louisiana hot sauce on the side. It was years before I realized WHY we had beans for dinner every week. LOL
Evelyn
Tuesday 16th of May 2023
Now that does sound good! Yes my dad loved beans with a slice of onion and white bread. So cool.
Sandra
Friday 14th of April 2023
I have never made ham hocks and beans before. This recipe is delicious. I may have started with too much water, but otherwise it turned out great! Had to add some salt in the end.
Evelyn
Saturday 15th of April 2023
Awe, thanks so much for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed them. This is one of our faves!
Traci H
Wednesday 1st of March 2023
I cook my beans in the crockpot, but I use chicken broth instead of water, and for the last hour add some diced green chili's. Then I can them!
Evelyn
Thursday 2nd of March 2023
Oh that sounds delish! Thanks for sharing.