Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

shelly beans with country ham

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Teresa G.
Here, KY

Another southern classic. As usual, fresh is best.

(1 rating)
yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 4 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For shelly beans with country ham

  • 1 Tbsp
    olive oil or bacon grease
  • 1-1 1/2 c
    diced country ham or 1 ham hock
  • 1 lg
    onion, diced
  • 1 clove
    garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp
    salt
  • water to cover beans by 2 inches
  • 1 1/2 c
    dried beans (such as red beans, horticultures, pinto etc.), soaked overnight, rinsed and drained
  • 1-1 1/2 qt
    fresh green beans, broken into bite size
  • 1 Tbsp
    ham flavored soup base (optional)

How To Make shelly beans with country ham

  • 1
    In a 4 quart (or larger) dutch oven or stock pot, over medium-high heat, add oil or grease and ham. (If using ham hock, see step 4.)
  • 2
    Saute for 1 minute, add onion and continue to saute until ham and onions just begin to brown.
  • 3
    Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
  • 4
    Quickly add about 2 cups of water to the pot and increase heat to high. (If using ham hock, add now.)
  • 5
    Add dried beans, green beans and enough water to cover by at least 2 inches.
  • 6
    Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low/medium-low, cover and let simmer for 2 hours, checking every 1/2 hour to see if additional water is needed.
  • 7
    Add 2 teaspoons ham soup base, cover loosely (to allow some evaporation) and simmer 1 to 3 additional hours, occasionally checking liquid level in pot. (Allow liquid level to reduce to just barely covering the beans.)
  • 8
    Taste beans and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • 9
    NOTE: Small red potatoes may be added during last 1/2 hour of cooking if desired.
  • 10
    Cover and refrigerate leftovers.
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