Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 pound center-cut ham steak (cooked and cubed)
  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 1 pound salt pork
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (minced)
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 5 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 green onion (for garnish, chopped)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instruction

  • In a dutch oven or large soup pot, add the beans, then add water until the beans are covered by approximately 3 inches.
  • Bring the water to a boil, then remove the pot from the heat. Cover the pot and let the beans sit for 1 hour.
  • Drain the beans and place them back in the dutch oven or large soup pot. Cover the beans again with water (approximately 2 inches above the beans), then add the ham steak, salt pork, jalapeño pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, cayenne powder, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf.
  • Bring the mix to a quick boil, then reduce to medium heat. Continue to simmer the cowboy beans for 2 to 3 hours, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.
  • Remove the bay leaf and salt pork, and add salt and pepper to taste (Careful - the salt pork already adds a salty flavor).
  • Serve with green onion garnish for color.