16 BEAN SOUP WITH SMOKED PORKETTE SHOULDER BUTT

16 Bean Soup with Smoked Porkette Shoulder Butt image

Provided by Carol Perricone @coolbaker1

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 - 20 oz. package of dried beans
1 pound(s) ham, ham hocks, smoked sausage, or pork butt (which i use)
1 cup(s) onion, chopped
1 can(s) (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon(s) chili powder
- juice from 1 lemon, or 1 tblsp. lemon juice
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- water to cover beans and meat.
OPTIONAL:
- you may use 1/2 water and 1/2 chicken broth to cover beans
- you may also add 1 or 2 potatoes, cubed, to soup, along with sliced carrots

Steps:

The prep-time includes soaking the beans 8 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain water, add fresh water to cover beans and piece of pork butt (I add butt whole, and shred the meat just before serving soup).
Bring beans and meat to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 2 1/2 hours.
After simmering, add onions, tomatoes, chili powder, lemon juice, and garlic. Simmer for another 30-60 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. You may use contents of flavor packet that comes with beans in the last 2 minutes of cooking. (I don't use it).