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–+ servings
SOUP BEANS

Soup Beans

A comforting and flavorful soup, perfect for a cool Southern night. Features pinto beans, bacon, ham, and a blend of savory spices.
Prep Time: 3 hours
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 11 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment (affiliate links)

  • 1 Dutch oven
  • 1 Large bowl
  • 1 Slotted spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried pinto beans rinsed and sorted
  • 6 thick-cut, applewood-smoked bacon slices chopped
  • 9 oz yellow onion chopped (1 3/4 cups)
  • 10 oz red bell pepper chopped (1 1/4 cups)
  • 2 medium-size celery stalks chopped (about 2/3 cup)
  • 2 Tbsp minced garlic (from 3 garlic cloves)
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 2 lb ham bone
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup chow-chow
  • thinly sliced scallions

Instructions

  • Place beans in a large bowl; add water to cover beans by 2 inches. Soak beans 8 hours or up to 12 hours. Drain beans, and set aside.
    1 lb dried pinto beans
  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium. Add bacon; cook, stirring occasionally, until rendered and crispy, 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Do not wipe Dutch oven clean.
    1 lb dried pinto beans
  • Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to drippings in Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    1 lb dried pinto beans
  • Add soaked pinto beans, stock, ham bone, bay leaf, and crushed red pepper. Bring to boil over medium-high; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender but still retain their shape, about 2 hours. Uncover and cook until liquid thickens slightly, about 30 minutes.
    1 lb dried pinto beans
  • Remove from heat, and stir in thyme. Divide soup evenly among bowls, and top each serving evenly with chow-chow, scallions, and reserved bacon. Serve with cornbread.
    1 lb dried pinto beans