Best Best Darn Beans Ever Recipes

BEST DARN POT OF BEANS EVER - HOMESTYLE PINTO BEANS W/ A PRESSURE COOKER OPTION

Steps:

• Place your beans in a large bowl, cover with at least 2" of water, 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or kefir.
• Soak beans overnight or about 12 hours.
• Drain and thoroughly rinse the beans.
• Place beans in an Instant Pot insert or other pressure cooker along with the ham hock (if using). Cover with at least 2" of water (more is OK).
• In an Instant Pot, use the 'Manual' button and select 20 minutes. May be called 'pressure cook" on newer models (any high pressure program for 20ish minutes is fine). *Stovetop directions below in 'notes'*
• When the time is up, hit 'cancel'. Wait for the pressure to come down naturally, or do a quick release as preferred. The beans will continue to cook in the next step.
• Without draining the bean broth (add more broth or liquid if it doesn't seem soupy, we will be boiling off more liquid now as they cook some more), mix in the pepper, onion, minced ham.
• Hit 'sauté" and keep hitting until the the 'low' setting is selected. Simmer, uncovered for 1-3 (or more!) hours, or until most of the water is evaporated and the beans are melt-in-your-mouth tender. I use the 'low' sauté feature so it is not a vigorous bubble which will splatter annoyingly!
• Keep careful watch on your water level, and add more liquid if you need to. I like to leave my beans a little bit saucy, but this up to you! You could also choose to mash them up a bit for a refried-style.
• Finally, stir in the tomato paste or sauce, sea salt, and the cumin/chili powder as you like.

BEST DARN BAKED BEANS EVER!

Steps:

• Drain beans, reserving liquid.
• Add all other ingredients except bacon into liquid and mix well.
• Gently fold beans into liquid.
• Pour into greased 9x13 baking pan.
• Place bacon on top.
• Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes.
• Allow to cool 30 minutes before serving.

PERFECT PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Put the beans in a large bowl, cover with cold water and let soak overnight.
• Drain and rinse the beans, then put them in a large pot. Cover the beans with water and add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, bacon, garlic, bay leaves, onion, bell pepper and some salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the beans are tender, 2 to 3 1/2 hours.

THE BEST GREEN BEANS EVER

Steps:

• Snap the stem ends of the green beans, or cut them off in a big bunch with a knife if you'd prefer.
• Melt the bacon grease in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook for a minute. Then add the green beans and cook until the beans turn bright green, about a minute. Add the chicken broth, chopped red pepper, salt and pepper to taste. Turn the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid, leaving the lid cracked to allow steam to escape. Cook until the liquid evaporates and the beans are fairly soft, yet still a bit crisp, 20 to 30 minutes. You can add more chicken broth during the cooking process, but don't be afraid to let it all cook away so the onions and peppers can start to caramelize.

BEST DAMN BORRACHO BEANS PERIOD!

Steps:

• Soak your beans. (This very important if you want tender beans). Bring beans to boil in 8-10 cups of water. Remove from heat covered. Let the beans soak for 1 hour.
• Strain the beans, and discard water. Bring another 8 cups of water, and 32 ounces of chicken stock to a boil.
• While beans are starting to boil, trim the ham hocks of fat; leave fat in large pieces. Cut the meat into small bite-size pieces. Put all into pot. (Remove fat and bones when your beans are done.).
• Cut veggies into small pieces, then combine veggies, meat, fat, and spices into large stock pot or dutch oven and simmer for at least 2 1/2 hours, or until tender. Remove fat when finished. Taste, add more seasoning if needed.