True Appalachian Comfort Food | Churched Up Soup Beans

dried beans

🥗Healthier: canned beans

💰Cheaper: pulses

Canned beans save time, while pulses are often less expensive.

ham hock

🥗Healthier: smoked turkey

💰Cheaper: bacon

Smoked turkey provides a similar flavor with less fat, while bacon is a cheaper alternative.

Mince 3 yellow onions.

Cut 1 pound of thick cut bacon into small bits.

Cube 3 pounds of ham.

Start a 6-quart Dutch oven on high heat.

Render the bacon bits until crunchy and fat is released.

Remove the bacon bits from the pot.

Add minced onions and cubed ham to the pot and cook down.

Ensure to render the ham first to remove excess water from the onions and ham.

Look for fond developing on the bottom of the pan as the ham cooks down.

Deglaze the pan with white wine, stock, or any liquid to break up the fond.

Add 7 pounds of canned white beans (with liquid) into the pot.

Add the ham hock to the mixture.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for at least a couple of hours.

After about an hour and a half, taste the soup to check for seasoning.

Add salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper to taste.

Let the soup cook down further to thicken if desired.

If the soup needs brightness, add a little lemon juice before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: