Delicious & Nutritious Salted Pinto Beans Recipe
Are you in the mood for some hearty, classic southern-style comfort food? Look no further than this recipe for Southern-Style Salted Pinto Beans. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, these beans are a staple in any southern kitchen.
Growing up in the south, I have fond memories of the delicious aromas wafting through my mom’s kitchen as she prepared traditional dishes like salted pinto beans. This recipe has been passed down through generations and remains a staple in our family to this day.
Not only is this recipe delicious and comforting, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll have a mouth-watering pot of beans ready to enjoy.
So gather around the table with family and friends and savor the flavors of the south with this classic salted pinto bean recipe – your taste buds will thank you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of Southern-style cuisine, get ready to add this delicious recipe to your cooking repertoire! This Southern-style salted pinto beans recipe is perfect for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful and fulfilling meals.
Not only is it easy to make, but the addition of salt pork or ham hocks along with the perfect blend of spices like chili powder and oregano gives this dish a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible. The beans become mouthwateringly tender during the cooking process and will have just the right texture for serving as a side dish or even as a main course.
What’s more, this recipe is incredibly versatile – you can serve it with rice, cornbread or any other accompaniment you desire. And if you love having leftovers, you’re in for a treat because these beans taste even better the next day!
So if you’re looking for a dish that is both comforting and full of bold flavors, give this Southern-style salted pinto beans recipe a try. Trust me when I say that it will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for any occasion!
Ingredient List
Here’s everything you need to prepare our Southern Style Salted Pinto Beans recipe:
- 1 lb of dry pinto beans
- 6 cups of water
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 oz of salt pork or bacon, diced
- 2 ham hocks or smoked ham (optional)
- 1 tsp of chili powder
- 1 tsp of sea salt
- ½ tsp of black pepper
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
For the seasoning mix:
- 1 tbsp of salt
- 1 tsp of chili powder
- 1 tsp of garlic powder
- 1 tsp of onion powder
- ½ tsp of smoked paprika (optional)
- A pinch of oregano
Note: If you don’t have salt pork, you can substitute for a smoked ham hock. Additionally, you should wash and sort the pinto beans before cooking them.
The Recipe How-To
Soaking The Pinto Beans
Before we can start cooking the best southern style salted pinto beans recipe, we must first prepare the beans. First, we need to sort through a pound of dry pinto beans and remove any rocks or debris. After sorting, rinse the beans with cold water in a colander under running water. Once rinsed, transfer the beans to a large pot and add water until it covers the beans by at least 2 inches.
Next, soak overnight in enough water to keep them covered to ensure that they cook evenly and at the right consistency. This will make the cooking process much easier and reduce cooking time in half. Once you have soaked your pinto beans overnight, discard the soaking liquid and rinse them thoroughly.
Cooking The Southern Style Salted Pinto Beans
Now that our pinto beans are properly prepped and soaked, we can begin cooking. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the rinsed pinto beans along with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low heat and let simmer for 2 hours.
After simmering for two hours, add 1 tablespoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano leaf. It is essential not to season your pinto beans with salt until later in the cooking process as it can toughen their skin and prolong the beans’ cooking time.
Next, add 1 diced medium onion, two bay leaves and either 4 ounces of diced salt pork or smoked ham hocks (depending on availability) into the pot. Allow everything to continue simmering over low heat for another hour without stirring.
Finally, after an hour into their second simmer-time, it’s safe now to season with salt and pepper to taste Salt your pinto beans, stir thoroughly to integrate the seasonings and let continue cooking over low heat for an additional 30 minutes until they reached a tender and desired consistency.
Serving the Southern Style Salted Pinto Beans
Once cooked, these southern-style pinto beans recipe makes for a delicious side dish to any southern classic, such as rice, cornbread, or even mac and cheese. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to six months. Don’t hesitate to double or triple the portion either. These pinto beans are versatile enough to use in other dishes like red beans, baked bean and ham recipes, salt pork recipes, soup beans or mexican pinto beans. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to experiment with different flavors and ingredients while still maintaining the southern flavor of your pinto beans recipe? Look no further. Here are some substitutions and variations to spice up your southern-style salted pinto beans recipe:
1. Salt Pork or Ham Hocks – For those who don’t eat pork, you can substitute it with smoked turkey or chicken sausage.
2. Chili Powder and Oregano – If you like a bit of heat in your dish, you can add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to give it a spicy kick.
3. Red Beans – You can substitute pinto beans with kidney beans or black beans to change things up.
4. Cornbread or Rice – Instead of pairing your pinto beans with rice, try cornbread for a perfect taste. It is a great way to bring in some sweetness and balance out the saltiness in the beans.
5. Baked Bean Soup – Add a bit of tomato sauce and brown sugar to transform this recipe into a classic baked bean soup.
Remember, these are just some ideas to play around with; Don’t be afraid to get creative and adjust it according to your own preference while maintaining the southern-styled pinto beans recipe that you love!
Serving and Pairing
Southern-style salted pinto beans are the ultimate comfort food. These hearty and flavorsome beans make for a perfect side dish for BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, or roast beef. Pinto beans are also a staple in many southern dishes and are often eaten with rice or cornbread.
To complete your southern-inspired meal, I highly recommend pairing your salted pinto beans with rice and cornbread. The fluffy texture of the rice complements the creaminess of the beans, while the sweet cornbread balances the savory flavor of the dish. Trust me; this combination is gold!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try pairing your salted pinto beans with other southern favorites like ham hocks, red beans, or baked beans. The smokey and salty flavor of ham hocks creates a perfect balance against the sweetness of the beans. On the other hand, red beans will enhance the texture and color of your dish.
Don’t forget to season your salted pinto beans with some sea salt and pepper to taste. The seasoning adds an extra layer of flavor to your dish and takes it to a whole new level.
In conclusion, these southern-style salted pinto beans are exceptionally versatile and can be served as a side dish or even as a main course. Pair them with your favorite southern sides, and you’ll have yourself a tasty and satisfying meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you have prepared these delicious southern-style salted pinto beans, you can store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for longer shelf life. These beans make an excellent meal prep option as they taste just as good reheated. To reheat the refrigerator stored beans, add a splash of water and heat over medium heat until hot. To defrost and reheat the frozen beans, leave them in the fridge overnight to thaw and then follow the same reheating instructions mentioned earlier.
You can also make this recipe ahead of time by partially cooking it, then finishing the cooking process when ready to eat. After soaking the beans overnight and then rinsing them thoroughly, place them in a large pot with 6 cups of water and salt pork or ham hocks. Bring the water to boil and reduce heat to a low simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours until the beans are soft but not mushy. At this point, you can cool and transfer them into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for later use.
When reheating partially cooked prepped beans, add 2-3 cups of water and cook over medium heat for another hour or so until they become tender. Be sure to taste the seasoning once again before serving and add more salt if needed.
These southern-style salted pinto beans make a perfect side dish with rice or cornbread but can also be enjoyed as a main dish burrito filling or combined with other bean varieties such as red beans or baked beans. They are an essential ingredient in many southern dishes such as soup beans, which are slow-cooked with smoked ham hocks. So, experiment with your own combinations and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Results
As a Southern-style chef, I want to help you make the best possible Salted Pinto Beans Recipe. Therefore, I’m sharing some tips that will make your cooking process easier and provide you with the perfect results.
1. Soak Your Beans Overnight
I recommend soaking your dry pinto beans overnight in enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be present on the beans.
2. Use Ham Hocks or Salt Pork
For the authentic Southern-style flavor, use smoked ham hocks or salt pork. If you want a milder flavor, you may choose to use regular pork bacon instead.
3. Add Salt To Taste
Salt is essential when cooking pinto beans, but it’s important to add it in small doses and taste as you go. Oversalting can be a disaster for the recipe.
4. Do Not Overcook The Beans
Overcooking the beans can cause them to turn mushy and lose their texture. The best way to ensure this does not happen is to cook them low and slow.
5. Season The Beans Midway Through Cooking Process
Seasoning midway through the cooking process ensures that your pinto beans come out flavorful every time. Mix chili powder, dried oregano, bay leaves, and salt with 1 cup of water and add it to the recipe when the beans are partially cooked.
6. Pair Your Pinto Beans Properly
Pinto beans go well with different foods such as rice, cornbread, red beans, baked bean soup or even used as a side dish with a ham recipe. Ensure that you pair them correctly for optimal taste bud explosion.
By following these tips, you’ll experience enhanced southern style beat-incomparable flavor on our Salted Pinto Beans Recipe.
FAQ
As you start making this delicious southern-style salted pinto beans recipe, it’s only natural to have a few questions. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below are some common queries with quick and easy answers that will help you throughout the cooking process. So, let’s dive into the FAQ section of this recipe article.
Should you add salt to pinto beans while cooking?
For those who choose to soak their beans and those who don’t, adding salt at the beginning of the cooking process is crucial. This allows the beans to absorb the salt fully, heightening the flavor both on the surface and at the core.
How to cook pinto beans with salt?
We’ll start by grabbing a large pot and adding in 1 cup of beans, 4 cups of water, and a teaspoon of salt. Once everything is in, let it come to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and allow the beans to cook until they are tender. This will take about 1-1½ hours, so sit back and relax for a bit while the flavors meld together. Once the beans are done, drain them well to prepare them for the rest of the recipe.
What is the best to season pinto beans?
When it comes to flavoring our pinto beans, we have a plethora of options at our disposal. There are countless herbs and spices that can elevate the taste of our dish. Personally, I prefer a combination of cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. However, there are other amazing alternatives such as the addition of sage, rosemary, or marjoram. Let’s explore some tips and tricks on how to best season our pinto beans.
How to make Paula Deen’s pinto beans?
Alright y’all, first things first, grab them beans and give ’em a good wash. After that, toss ’em in a bowl and cover ’em up with some cold water. Let those bad boys soak overnight so they can really absorb all that flavor we’re about to add.
Once they’ve had their beauty rest, drain the water and dump those beans right into the slow cooker. Give ’em a good stir and sprinkle some chili powder and oregano all over ’em. Next, we gotta add in that ham hock for some real southern flair. Pour in enough liquid to cover the beans and give ’em a good mix.
Now it’s time to add in the onion (whole, don’t chop it up!) and season with some salt, pepper and garlic salt. Trust me, this is where you’ll really start to smell that southern goodness.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, there are few things more satisfying than a hearty bowl of southern style salted pinto beans. This recipe requires minimal effort yet yields big flavors that will leave you and your guests licking your plates clean. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or enjoying it as the main course, these beans are sure to impress.
By using quality ingredients like ham hocks, smoked ham, and sea salt, you’ll be able to taste the difference in every bite. And with the option to add chili powder, bay leaves and other seasonings, you can make this dish your own and adjust it to your liking.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also versatile. Whether you want to enjoy it with rice or cornbread, incorporate it into other recipes like baked beans and soup beans, or even substitute different meats like pork bacon or red beans, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this tasty dish.
So let’s get cooking! With just a bit of patience and know-how, you too can become a pro at making the best southern style pinto beans around. Trust me – your taste buds will thank you!
Southern Style Salted Pinto Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups pinto beans
- 3 pints water
- 3 ounces salt cured pork fatback
Instructions
- wash beans and look for foreign matter, small stones or pieces of dirt.
- rinse twice.
- put in a heavy pot with the water and fatback.
- bring to a boil and reduce to a slow simmer.
- simmer about 3 hours.
- Serve with corn bread and sliced onions.