Ham Hock and Beans – What’s more satisfying than the heavenly taste of beans spiced up with ham? Deliciously smoky ham hocks and tender-creamy beans make classic soul food. Let everything slowly simmer together, and voila! – the perfect dinner is ready!
I’m so happy to share my family’s ham hock and beans recipe. And as someone who loves a level-up, adding beefiness with both beef stock and bouillon was a no-brainer. The strong savory taste fits into the smoky-creamy ham hocks and beans.
Let’s face it, beans aren’t just satisfying; they’re also nutritious and cheap. So why not make a good thing even better? Ham hocks ramp up the flavor factor for a deliciously simple yet fancy meal.
Serving and Storage Instructions
This soul-satisfying deliciousness is best hot with some fresh skillet cornbread. You can store leftover ham and beans in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag once cooled and refrigerate them for about four days or freeze them for 4-5 months.
That depends on who you ask! I say yes. Beans have protein, fiber, and vitamins, and ham hocks have fat and flavor. You can control the sodium by soaking the ham first or omitting the salt in the recipe. Then you can adjust the salt to your preference when the beans are done.
You can soak your ham in cold water for about 30 minutes before cooking to pull out some of the excess salt. I didn’t soak it since I adjusted the seasonings to compensate for the ham’s saltiness.
You absolutely can! Forty minutes on high with 20 minutes of natural pressure release, and you should have delicious ham and beans. There is some debate over cooking beans in a crock pot, but they’re good. However, you may want to soak the beans longer if cooking them at a lower heat.
More Soul-Food Bean Recipes to Try
Ham hock and beans are so worth the wait because the smokey, tender beans melt in your mouth. Would you love to stay up to date with my newest recipes? Then sign up for my newsletter!
A butcher taught me! Discover how to cook the ham hock correctly
Should ham hocks be soaked before cooking?
Before cooking, it is recommended to soak the ham hocks in cold water for a few hours or overnight to remove excess saltiness. Rinse them thoroughly under running water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Should I remove the skin from the ham hocks? It is a personal preference whether to remove the skin or not.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
How to cook ham hocks?
To reduce the salt level and to remove any impurities, a long washing or soaking is needed before using the ham hock in cooking. Vigorously wash the exterior of the ham hocks with a scrub brush to remove any visible dirt. Rinse the ham hock completely after washing. Place the ham hocks into the pot and add water until they are completely submerged.
Should you cook smoked ham hocks?
If you’re a fan of smoky and flavorful meat, then cooking smoked ham hocks should definitely be on your culinary radar. Smoked ham hocks are known for their rich and intense taste, making them the perfect ingredient to add depth to soups, stews, beans, and collard greens.