Slow Cooker Ham Hocks and Pinto Beans (4 Ingredients)

This Slow Cooker Ham Hocks and Pinto Beans recipe is the definition of old-fashioned comfort food made simple. With just a few ingredients and a long, slow simmer, dried pinto beans transform into a creamy, tender dish infused with rich smoky flavor. As the ham hocks cook, their natural collagen melts into the broth, creating a savory, deeply seasoned liquid that coats every bean.

It’s a true “set it and forget it” meal that delivers hearty, rustic flavor with almost no hands-on effort.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Smoked ham hocks	2 lbs
Dried pinto beans	2 cups
Water	8 cups
Kosher salt	1½ tsp

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beans

Rinse the dried pinto beans thoroughly and sort through them to remove any debris or small stones.

Tip: No soaking is needed. The long cooking time in the slow cooker allows the beans to soften gradually while developing a deeper flavor.

Step 2: Assemble in the Slow Cooker

Place the ham hocks in the bottom of a 5–7 quart slow cooker. Add the rinsed beans on top and around them.

Pour in the water and add the salt, making sure the beans are fully submerged with at least about ½ inch of liquid above them.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the beans are tender and the meat is falling off the bone.

Step 4: Remove and Shred the Ham

Carefully remove the ham hocks from the slow cooker. Discard the bones, skin, and excess fat, then shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Return the shredded ham to the beans and stir well.

Tip: For a thicker, stew-like texture, mash a small portion of the beans against the side of the slow cooker. This helps release starch and naturally thickens the broth.

Serve warm and enjoy a rich, smoky, and comforting bowl of beans.