Copycat Bojangles Pinto Beans Recipe
Craving Bojangles Pinto Beans? This Copycat Bojangles Pinto Beans Recipe nails the smoky, savory taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried pinto beans rinsed.
- 1 smoked ham hock or 1 cup diced ham.
- 1 large onion diced.
- 3 garlic cloves minced.
- 1 green bell pepper chopped.
- 2 tbsp olive oil.
- 1 tbsp brown sugar.
- 1 tsp salt.
- 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
- 6 cups water or chicken broth.
- 1 bay leaf.
Instructions
Rinse the Beans
- Pick through dried beans. Rinse under cold water. Remove any stones or bad beans.
Soak Overnight
- Place beans in a bowl. Cover with 6 cups water. Soak 8 hours. Drain well.
Sauté the Veggies
- Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add Beans and Ham
- Stir in soaked beans and ham hock. Mix well with veggies for even flavor.
Season the Pot
- Add brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, and bay leaf. Pour in broth or water.
Simmer Low and Slow
- Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally.
Check and Thicken
- Beans are tender when done. Remove ham hock, shred meat, return to pot. Mash some beans for thickness.
Final Taste and Serve
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt. Serve hot with a smile.
Notes
- Soak beans overnight for creamier texture.
- Use Instant Pot: Cook on high 45 minutes.
- Variation: Add bacon bits for extra smoke.
- Variation: Make spicy with cayenne pepper.
- Low-sodium broth keeps it healthy.
- Stir gently to avoid breaking beans.
- Double batch freezes great.