Best Ever Pinto Beans Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans
• 6 cups water (or more, as needed to cover beans)
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 (6.5 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions

Step 1: Add the pinto beans to a large bowl and cover them with water. Let the beans soak for 4 hours, changing the water every 30 to 45 minutes. Once soaked, drain the beans.

Step 2: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the drained pinto beans, the smoked ham hock, and the kosher salt. If necessary, add more water to ensure the beans and ham hock are covered by at least 1 inch of liquid.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the beans for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are just tender.

Step 4: Remove the ham hock from the pot. Take the meat off the bone, chop it into small pieces, and stir it back into the beans.

Step 5: Stir in the tomato sauce and brown sugar. Continue to simmer the beans for an additional 1 hour, allowing the flavors to blend and the beans to become fully tender.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories	353
Total Fat	8g (11% DV)
Saturated Fat	3g (14% DV)
Cholesterol	23mg (8% DV)
Sodium	509mg (22% DV)
Total Carbohydrate	50g (18% DV)
Dietary Fiber	16g (58% DV)
Total Sugars	4g
Protein	22g (44% DV)
Vitamin C	4mg (4% DV)
Calcium	95mg (7% DV)
Iron	4mg (23% DV)
Potassium	961mg (20% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.