Shucky Beans

Discover the rich, smoky flavors of Appalachian cuisine with this traditional Shucky Beans recipe! Made with dried green beans—lovingly preserved for a taste of summer year-round—these tender, slow-simmered beans are cooked to perfection with a savory piece of salt pork or smoked ham hock, alongside diced onions for a depth of flavor. A hallmark of Appalachian comfort food, this hearty dish is seasoned simply with salt and black pepper, allowing the natural, earthy taste of the beans to shine. With an extended simmer time that yields melt-in-your-mouth results, Shucky Beans are perfect served warm with cornbread or even spooned over rice for a cozy, home-style meal. Packed with tradition and nostalgia, it’s a dish that brings warmth to the table and is sure to be a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups dried green beans (shucky beans)
• 8 cups water
• 1 piece salt pork or smoked ham hock
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Inspect the dried green beans (shucky beans) and remove any stems, debris, or discolored pods. Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water to remove any remaining dust or dirt.

Step 2

In a large bowl, soak the dried beans in warm water for 3-4 hours or overnight to rehydrate them. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Step 3

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the rehydrated beans, 8 cups of water, and the piece of salt pork or smoked ham hock. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5

After 1.5 hours, add the diced onion, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to incorporate and continue simmering for another 1.5 hours or until the beans are tender and infused with the smoky flavor of the meat.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper to suit your preference. If the beans start to dry out during cooking, add more water, 1/2 cup at a time, to maintain a stewy consistency.

Step 7

Remove the salt pork or ham hock from the pot. If desired, shred any meat from the hock and stir it back into the beans for added flavor.

Step 8

Serve the shucky beans warm with cornbread or over rice for a traditional Appalachian-style meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3083.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3732.9

Total Fat 42.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 39.2mg	0%
Sodium 3662.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 626.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 154.0g	0%
Total Sugars 55.2g
Protein 256.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1278.8mg	0%
Iron 45.8mg	0%
Potassium 14886.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 9.7%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 64.1%