Ken'S Beans
Ken's Beans is a hearty, flavorful bean dish featuring tender red beans, smoky ham, and spicy sausage, all simmered with garlic, onions, and a touch of heat from cayenne seasoning. Perfect for comfort food lovers and those who enjoy bold, savory flavors in a filling meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. Anasazi or red beans ⓘ
- 1/4 c. garlic powder ⓘ
- 2 bunches green onions ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 1 lb. ham ⓘ
- 1 lb. Jimmy Dean beef sausage ⓘ
- 1 can Ro-Tel ⓘ
- 1/2 to 1 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. liquid Crystal pure cayenne pepper seasoning ⓘ
- 3 cans double strength chicken broth
- 1/4 c. molasses ⓘ
- 1/4 c. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash and soak the beans overnight.
- In a large pot, add soaked beans, chicken broth, and bring to a boil.
- Add chopped onions, green onions, garlic powder, molasses, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne seasoning.
- In a separate pan, brown the ham and sausage.
- Add browned ham and sausage to the bean mixture.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning as desired and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or a splash of Worcestershire sauce. If Anasazi beans are unavailable, pinto beans make a great substitute. Adjust the spice level by reducing cayenne or adding diced jalapeños for extra heat. Ensure to soak the beans thoroughly to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Ken's Beans with cornbread or over rice for a hearty meal. A side of coleslaw or a fresh garden salad adds a refreshing crunch. This dish also pairs beautifully with Hearty Chicken Stew for a comforting dinner spread. Garnish with extra green onions for a pop of color.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to restore moisture. This dish also freezes well, lasting up to 3 months; just thaw before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ken'S Beans contains roughly 852 calories, with 26g protein, 128g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (94% of the Daily Value), and potassium (66% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 837mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Absolutely! For best results, soak dried beans overnight and cook them until tender before adding to the recipe. This enhances the texture and flavor, giving you that homemade touch. Just remember to adjust cooking times accordingly.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make Ken's Beans vegetarian, simply omit the ham and sausage. You can replace them with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth of flavor. Additionally, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep the dish rich and satisfying.
Is it possible to cook this in a slow cooker?
Yes! To cook in a slow cooker, combine all ingredients except the meats in the pot. Brown the ham and sausage separately, then add them to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the beans are tender and flavors meld beautifully.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).