To a native of Appalachia, soup beans is just a name for a pinto bean soup everyone makes. Simple, traditional, and mountain, through and through.
A pot of soup beans that are slowly simmered all day with remnants of ham fat results in soft, creamy beans. The ham bone and fat are the heart and soul of the flavor. Served up in a bowl with a side of cornbread, soup beans are both an essential source of sustenance and a comforting meal.
Soup beans refer to brown beans (such as pinto beans) that are cooked with pork for flavoring. Other types of beans can also be used such as white beans, butter beans, or black-eyed peas, but it’s the pinto bean that is the favorite of mountain folk. Soup beans are often re-cooked as fried bean cakes, or made into mountain chili the next day.
Soup beans can be a friendly reminder of growing up with family and enjoying familiar smells cooking on the stove.