Here’s a classic Soup Beans recipe—simple, hearty, and perfect for a comforting meal 🥣🌿
Soup Beans
Ingredients (4–6 servings)
- 1 lb dried beans (pinto, navy, or black-eyed peas)
- 6 cups water or low-sodium broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 smoked ham hocks, ham bone, or bacon (optional, for flavor)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp smoked paprika or chili flakes for extra flavor
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Soak beans (optional but recommended)
- Rinse beans and soak in water 6–8 hours or overnight
- Drain and rinse before cooking
- Cook beans
- Place beans, water/broth, onion, garlic, and smoked meat in a large pot
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
- Cover and cook 1–2 hours until beans are tender (or use a slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours)
- Season
- Add salt and pepper in the last 15–20 minutes of cooking
- Remove ham hocks, shred meat, and return to the pot
- Serve
- Serve hot with cornbread, rice, or crusty bread
- Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired
Tips & Variations
- Quick version: use canned beans (4–5 cups), simmer 20–30 minutes with smoked meat for flavor
- Spicy: add diced jalapeño or red pepper flakes
- Vegetarian: skip smoked meat; add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth
- Thickened soup: mash a few beans against the side of the pot or use an immersion blender for creaminess
If you want, I can give a slow cooker version, Instant Pot version, or Southern-style soup beans with ham and greens.
Do you want the slow cooker Southern-style version?
