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a big white bowl of mom's pork and beans topped with some chopped onion.
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5 from 4 votes

Mom's Pork And Beans

These are my Mom's Pork and Beans, a heartwarming dish laden with smoky, tender chunks of pork hock and a robust medley of beans, simmered to perfection with a vibrant selection of veggies and spices. Each bite invites a flood of nostalgia, taking you to a place where every meal is a moment of family, love, and absolute culinary delight.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Romanian
Keyword: pork and beans
Servings: 8
Calories: 370kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 smoked pork hock
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 3 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon vegeta optional
  • 6-8 cups water
  • 60 ounces mixed canned beans 4 15 ounce cans, rinsed and drained
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Thoroughly wash the pork hock and pat it dry with paper towels. Carefully cut the pork hock into bite size pieces, cutting as much meat from the bone as possible. Don't discard the bone, we'll add it to the pot later.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pepper and sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes until soft.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, salt, pepper and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • Add the pork hock meat only at this time, stir it in and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you find everything is sticking to the Dutch oven, deglaze with a bit of water. Stir in the thyme and vegeta if using.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • Add the pork hock bone, drained beans, and enough water to cover the beans and pork.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to simmer and cover the pot. Cook for 2 hours stirring occasionally. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
    process shots showing how to make my mom's pork and beans.
  • Serve warm with raw onions, and crispy bread.

Video

Notes

  1. Smoked Pork Hock Alternative: If you're unable to find a smoked pork hock, smoked ham or smoked turkey legs can also infuse the beans with a rich, smoky flavor.
  2. Bean Varieties: Feel free to mix up the bean varieties based on what's available or your personal preferences, keeping the overall volume the same.
  3. Vegeta Seasoning: If you opt out of using Vegeta, consider enhancing the flavor with a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, or simply stick to a good-quality chicken or vegetable broth.
  4. Adjusting Consistency: Throughout the cooking process, if you find the mixture becoming too dry, you can add more water or broth to reach your desired consistency. Similarly, if it's too watery, allow it to simmer uncovered for a while longer.
  5. Serving Suggestion: For an extra touch, consider serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a bit of heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 554mg | Potassium: 1242mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3160IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 7mg