Ranch Style Beans

Submitted by TishT

"This is my attempt to copycat the canned Ranch-Style Beans. I want to keep track until I get it right. If you want to jump in and help I'd love the help!"

 

• Ready In: 8hrs
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 lb dry pinto beans
• 5 cups cold water
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
• 4 ounces ham hocks
• 1⁄4 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons combination of california chili powder (New Mexico, Hungarian Paprika. All Mild)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, plus
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper (for spicier beans add another 1/2 Tsp)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 -2 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons onion powder or 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (add in the last 30 min only)
• 1⁄4 cup tomato puree (add in the last 30 min only)

directions

1. Wash beans and place in a large pot or kettle. Add water and remaining ingredients (except salt and tomato puree, which should be added in the last 30 minutes before beans are done). Cover and simmer for 5 to 6 hours. Check liquid level occasionally and add more water (add boiling water, never cold) as needed to keep beans covered.
2. If cooked in a crock pot, (you will need extra cup of water if you did not pre-soak) and cook them on the low setting. It also may take a little longer than the 5 to 6 hours.
3. Note: You can reduce cooking time by soaking beans overnight or using or (1 Hour soak method).
4. Add ¼ Cup of tomato puree with additional 1 tsp brown sugar in the last hour. Adjust salt and sugar to your liking.

Reviews

[lilburls]

This is my first attempt at these,But they already smell like my dads ranch beans!!! Thank you! just having the house smell like such a powerful memory on fathers dad is...well.. tearful!!

 

[Bev F.]

I made Indian Fry bread tonight, which led me down the rabbit hole for "Cowboy beans", which led me to "Ranch beans" I WILL make these & review them. I'm infamous for tweaking recipes with off the wall, unexpected ingredients! Off to adventure!

 

[Sauve]

I now live in France and, like every one, I crave the foods I can't get here. There are ingredients in your recipe that I can't get here but since I wanted Ranch Style Bean, I made do. I bought and then rinced 3 small cans of red beans, used lardons fume (real bacon bits - because a ham hock is too big for a small pot), used dried onion flakes, and added 1 tsp of sweet paprika. It took 15 minutes to prepare and is delicious! Thank you!

 

[dianegrapegrower]

This is extremely close to the canned ranch beans I used to buy. I did tweak the recipe some (I also doctor the store bought ones) I added 2 T. molasses for more sweet/smokiness and 1/2 chopped, sauteed onion. I wanted to add more salt, but thought I'd like to try to keep these lower in sodium.

 

[moonglade]

We LOVE these beans. I make large batches of plain beans and store them in the freezer so I start the recipe with cooked beans and cover with water then add the ingredients and boil until the flavors are well melded. We don't eat meat so we omit the hamhocks and the tomato paste per our tastes and decreased the brown sugar. I use a mix of smoked paprika and chili powder. I make these at least once a week and serve them with rice. I make extra so I can have leftovers for lunch. This is my favorite bean recipe.