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Southern Butter Beans recipe with fresh ingredients in a serving bowl
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Southern Butter Beans

Creamy, comforting, and full of smoky flavor, Southern Butter Beans are a rich, soulful dish that brings everyone around the table.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main, Side
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: Comfort Food, Easy
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

  • Large Heavy-Bottom Pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Butter beans (Dried or fresh) If dried, soak overnight or quick-soak before cooking.
  • 1 piece Smoked ham hock For flavoring.
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper To taste, freshly ground preferred.
  • 6 cups Water Enough to cover beans and ham hock by about 1 to 2 inches.

Instructions

  • If using dried butter beans and you soaked them overnight, drain and rinse. For a quick-soak: cover with water, bring to a boil 2 minutes, remove from heat and soak 1 hour, then drain and rinse. If using fresh beans, rinse and sort.
  • Place the smoked ham hock in a large heavy-bottom pot and cover with about 6 cups of cold water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer the ham hock for 30–40 minutes to extract flavor. Skim any foam that rises to the surface.
  • Add the prepared butter beans, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
  • Bring the pot back to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook for 45–60 minutes if dried (30–40 minutes for fresh) until beans are fork-tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to keep beans covered.
  • Remove the ham hock and shred the meat from the bone with forks; return the meat to the pot for extra flavor (or discard bone and cartilage).
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the broth is too thin, cook uncovered for the last 10–15 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. For a silkier texture, mash a few beans against the side of the pot and stir.
  • Serve hot as a side or main with warm cornbread, steamed rice, or a crisp green salad.

Notes

Soaking reduces cooking time and helps ensure even tenderness. For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth plus a teaspoon of smoked paprika.