In this post I’ll be sharing a classic Southern Pinto Beans Recipe.
Pinto Beans and Ham
- 1 lb Dry Pinto Beans
- 4 c Water, for soaking
- Ham Hock, Salt Pork, or Bacon Pieces (to flavor beans during cooking)
- 4-6 c Water or Stock, for cooking
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
How to Season Beans

How to Cook Pintos on the Stove
Sort through beans to make sure that they are free of any small stones, dirt, or other foreign pieces that may have made their way into the beans during harvesting.
Give the beans a rinse, add to a bowl and cover with 4 cups of water. Soak the beans overnight.
Discard the water used for soaking and give the beans a rinse.
Add beans to a stock pot along with 4 cups of water, or stock for extra flavor, and ham hock. You can use salt pork or bacon pieces for flavor as well if you prefer. Add extra liquid to the beans as they cook if needed.
Simmer beans over a medium heat for 2 hours or until desired tenderness.
At the end of cooking time, season with salt and pepper. Other seasonings can be used to taste if desired such as cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder to add the flavors you enjoy.
Best Pinto Beans Recipe

See it at:
Meal Plan Monday
Weekend Potluck

Let’s make this Southern Pinto Beans Recipe!
Southern Pinto Beans

Classic Southern pinto beans with seasoning meat cooked on the stove top. Enjoy pinto beans as a meal or as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Dry Pinto Beans
- 4 c Water, for soaking
- Ham Hock, Salt Pork, or Bacon Pieces (to flavor beans during cooking)
- 4-6 c Water or Stock, for cooking
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Sort through beans to make sure that they are free of any small stones, dirt, or other foreign pieces that may have made their way into the beans during harvesting.
- Give the beans a rinse, add to a bowl and cover with 4 cups of water. Soak the beans overnight.
- Discard the water used for soaking and give the beans a rinse.
- Add beans to a stock pot along with 4 cups of water, or stock for extra flavor, and ham hock. You can use salt pork or bacon pieces for flavor as well if you prefer. Add extra liquid to the beans as they cook if needed.
- Simmer beans over a medium heat for 2 hours or until desired tenderness.
- At the end of cooking time, season with salt and pepper. Other seasonings can be used to taste if desired such as cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder to add the flavors you enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 209mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

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Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Donna
Sunday 19th of June 2022
I have a pork hock that's about one pound, is that good for one pound of pintos?
Julia Jordan
Monday 20th of June 2022
Donna, You don't really need that much, so if possible, cut the hock in half and save the rest for something else. ~Julia
Babzy
Friday 2nd of February 2018
Thanks so much :)
Babzy Q
Thursday 1st of February 2018
When soaking beans overnight, do I store them in the fridge or just keep them on the counter for all those hours? Also, what is the least AND the most soaking time I can do? Thanks!
Julia Jordan
Thursday 1st of February 2018
I cover the beans and place them in the refrigerator to soak overnight. You can soak anywhere from 8-24 hours.
Barbara Lovin
Saturday 10th of December 2016
To help de-gas dried beans, add a teaspoon or so of ginger, AND a teaspoon of savory while cooking. Also, sprinkle some baking soda over the beans towards the end of the cooking time and stir. Note: the water will quickly foam, so be ready to stir to keep it from foaming over the top. In addition to helping with the gas, this will also soften the beans if they are still a little hard.
Julia's Simply Southern
Monday 12th of December 2016
Thanks for the tip Barbara
Easy Peasy Life Matters
Saturday 3rd of December 2016
This sounds so amazingly good! Just perfect for a picnic! :)
Julia's Simply Southern
Monday 5th of December 2016
You can't go wrong with a good pot of beans!