This Pinto Beans with Smoked Ham Hocks and Cornbread is a true Southern-style comfort meal — rich, smoky, slow-simmered beans paired with warm, buttery cornbread. The ham hocks add deep savory flavor while the long cooking time makes the beans creamy and tender. Perfect for family dinners, cold-weather meals, or budget-friendly hearty cooking for your recipe site.
⏱️ Prep Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Soak beans: 6–8 hours (or overnight)
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Cook: 2–2½ hours
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Total: about 3 hours (plus soaking)
🧰 Equipment Needed
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Large heavy pot or Dutch oven
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Cutting board
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Knife
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Measuring cups
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Wooden spoon
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Cast-iron skillet (best for cornbread) or baking pan
🫘 Ingredients
For the Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks
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1 lb (450 g) dried pinto beans
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2 smoked ham hocks
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1 medium onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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6 cups water or chicken broth
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp cayenne (optional)
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Salt to taste (add near end)
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1 tbsp oil or butter
🌽 For the Cornbread
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1 cup cornmeal
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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¼ cup sugar (optional for slight sweetness)
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1 tbsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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1 cup milk
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2 eggs
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¼ cup melted butter or oil
📝 Ingredient Notes
✅ Soaking beans reduces cooking time and improves texture
✅ Smoked ham hocks are key — they flavor the whole pot naturally
✅ Add salt only near the end or beans may stay tough
✅ Chicken broth instead of water = deeper flavor
✅ For authentic Southern taste, use yellow cornmeal
👩🍳 Instructions
🥘 Step 1 — Soak the Beans
Rinse beans and remove debris.
Cover with water and soak overnight (or at least 6 hours).
Drain before cooking.
🥘 Step 2 — Start the Flavor Base
Heat oil in a large pot.
Cook chopped onion for 4–5 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
🥘 Step 3 — Simmer Beans & Ham Hocks
Add:
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soaked beans
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ham hocks
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water or broth
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pepper, paprika, cayenne
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low.
Cover and simmer 2–2½ hours until beans are tender.
🥘 Step 4 — Finish the Beans
Remove ham hocks.
Shred meat and discard bones/skin.
Return shredded meat to pot.
Add salt to taste and simmer 15 more minutes until creamy.
🌽 Make the Cornbread
Step 1 — Heat Oven
Preheat to 200°C / 400°F.
Grease skillet or baking pan.
Step 2 — Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine:
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cornmeal
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flour
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sugar
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baking powder
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salt
Step 3 — Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in:
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milk
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eggs
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melted butter
Mix until just combined.
Step 4 — Bake
Pour into pan and bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
Let cool slightly before slicing.
🥗 Nutrition Facts (Approx per serving with cornbread)
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Calories: 520
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Protein: 28g
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Carbs: 55g
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Fat: 20g
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Fiber: 12g
⭐ Pro Cooking Tips (Important for Perfect Southern Beans)
✔ Simmer slowly — fast boiling makes beans split
✔ Slightly mash some beans at end for creamy texture
✔ Add a splash of vinegar or hot sauce before serving (Southern secret)
✔ Cornbread tastes best slightly warm with butter
