Peppy Dried Beans
Peppy Dried Beans offers hearty, smoky flavor with tender beans and aromatic vegetables, perfect for comforting family meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb dried beans of choice ⓘ
- 1/2 lb chopped smoked ham ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper ⓘ
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic crushed (optional) ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- Black pepper to taste ⓘ
- Salt to taste ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 4 to 6 drops Tabasco sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Cover the dried beans with water and soak overnight or at least 6 hours.
- Drain the soaked beans.
- Add ham, chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped green bell pepper, chopped parsley, bay leaves, and crushed garlic to the beans.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for about 2 hours.
- Add butter or margarine, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce.
- Continue cooking over low heat for an additional hour or until beans are tender.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, soak the beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly. If you're short on time, a quick soak method involves boiling the beans for 2 minutes and then letting them sit for an hour. You can substitute the smoked ham with turkey or bacon for a different flavor profile. Fresh herbs like thyme or oregano can also enhance the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Peppy Dried Beans over rice or with crusty bread for a hearty meal. They pair wonderfully with cornbread or a fresh green salad. For a complete dinner, consider serving alongside a protein like glazed pork tenderloin or bacon breakfast casserole to round out the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Peppy Dried Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm them on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little water if necessary to prevent sticking. You can also microwave them in a covered bowl, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Peppy Dried Beans contains roughly 333 calories, with 13g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (136% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (83% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (71% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1665mg per serving (72% 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 canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can use canned beans for a quicker version of this recipe. Drain and rinse them before adding to the pot. Reduce the cooking time to about 30 minutes, just to heat through and combine flavors.
What can I do if the beans are still hard after cooking?
If the beans remain hard after the initial cooking time, continue to simmer them, adding a little more water as needed. Cooking dried beans can vary based on their age and type, so patience is key.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make Peppy Dried Beans vegetarian, omit the smoked ham and replace it with a smoky flavor enhancer, such as liquid smoke or smoked paprika. You can also add more vegetables for depth.
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).