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    Home > Recipes > Uncategorized

    Smokey Pinto Beans and Braised Winter Greens

    Published: Jan 25, 2016 · Modified: Aug 25, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Ya'll wanna take a little trip down south with me? Because beans and greens are what's on my table for dinner this week! This recipe for southern beans and greens is super easy and you won't believe how delicious it is.

    Two grey plates with red beans and rice on a white counter with a gold tumbler on the side.

    While we were home in VA visiting my family for Christmas, I was unexpectedly reacquainted with a favorite meal I had long forgotten about when I moved to Dallas nine years ago and broadened my culinary horizons. Growing up in a pastor's family full of young budding musicians, Christmas Eve was always the most hectic day of the holiday season for us. Each member of my family always had a special part in the Christmas Eve service, which typically involved music. We'd often spend the entire day practicing our pieces, deciding what to wear and primping for the special, picture-filled night (remember, there are FOUR daughters in the High clan - that equals a lot of primping and picture-taking in front of the Christmas tree).

    An overhead shot of white bowls with all of the prepped ingredients for red beans and rice.

    We'd be so busy on Christmas Eve that bringing everyone together for a meal was challenging - our annual Christmas Eve dinner became my dad's special venison chili over the years because it was easy to just let it simmer on the stovetop all day and be waiting on us when we got home from the service. This year, however, was a little different - Christmas Eve was still a busy day during my visit, but Dad hadn't gotten a chance to make his special chili! We needed a quick, make-ahead meal that could simmer on the stovetop and be enjoyed (although rather hastily for some) by everyone whenever they had the chance to eat something. That's where the beans and greens come in.

    A gray plate of red beans and rice with a gingham dish towel and a glass of water on the side.

    My sweet mom made the epic decision to make a big pot of smoky pinto beans accompanied by briny braised turnip greens and a hot pan of cornbread. And to be honest with you, despite all the festive fancier fare we had on our trip, this was the meal I came back to my home thinking about. The simplicity and homeyness of this "Southern comfort food" was something I was craving and had missed but didn't realize it. So it became one of the first weeknights I made for Ryan and me to enjoy during the new year. Now that we've been reacquainted, I'm not planning to let beans and greens off of my winter menu anytime soon!

    A spoon scooping out red beans and rice from the inside of an Instant Pot.

    Did you make this recipe? If so, I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below, drop me a line on Facebook, or upload a pic of your creation to Instagram with the tag #sweetcayenne . Join the weekly newsletter to stay up to date with all of my activity.

    Beans and Greens

    A southern-style recipe of pinto beans and collard greens.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 8 Servings

    Ingredients

    For the beans:

    • 1 16 ounce bag of dried pinto beans
    • Water
    • 1 smoked ham hock
    • ½ a large onion quartered
    • 2 bay leaves
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    For the greens:

    • 1 16 ounce bag of washed and cut winter greens (I like the collard, turnip, and mustard greens blend)
    • ½ a large onion quartered
    • 4 whole cloves of garlic peeled
    • 1 smoked ham hock
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
    • 12 ounce bottle of amber ale such as Fat Tire
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    On the side:

    • Your favorite cornbread
    • Honey
    • Hot sauce
    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 21.5g | Fat: 7.6g | Saturated Fat: 2.6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 819mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 3mg

     

     

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    Affiliate Disclosure

    Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shannon @ Distracted by Prayer says

      January 25, 2016 at 5:47 pm

      I have made the beans many a time. Always a crowd pleaser!

      Reply
    2. chelsea jacobs says

      January 25, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Yum! Southern food at it's finest!

      Reply

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