Butter Beans & Smoked Turkey

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Soak the Beans

1. Sort: Rinse the dried butter beans thoroughly and sort through them to remove any small stones or debris.
2. Soak: Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with at least 3 inches of cold water. Let them soak on the counter overnight (or for at least 8 hours).
3. Drain: Drain and rinse the soaked beans before cooking.

2. Build the Smoky Broth

1. Simmer: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the smoked turkey piece, diced onion, minced garlic, and chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Extract Flavor: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the turkey simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. This creates a deeply flavorful, smoky base for the beans.

3. Cook the Beans

1. Combine: Add the drained butter beans to the pot with the turkey. Stir in the butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Simmer: Bring back to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to low. Cover the pot with the lid slightly cracked. Cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are completely tender and creamy.
3. Shred Meat: Remove the smoked turkey piece from the pot. Shred the tender meat off the bones, discard the bones and skin, and stir the meat back into the beans.
4. Thicken: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If you prefer a thicker gravy, press a few beans against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon and stir them back in.

💡 Southern Cooking Secrets

• The Salt Rule: Do not add salt to the pot until the very end of cooking. Adding salt too early can make the skins of the dried beans tough.
• Canned Shortcut: If you are short on time, you can substitute three 15-oz cans of drained butter beans. Reduce the initial turkey simmering time to 20 minutes, then cook the canned beans in the broth for just 25 to 30 minutes.

Would you like to try making this recipe in a Crockpot (Slow Cooker) or an Instant Pot instead? I can also show you how to turn this into a main meal by adding chopped collard greens or smoked sausage.