Rickey Smiley Pinto Bean Recipe
Enjoy a hearty and flavorful pinto bean dish with smoked turkey, corn, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal!
- Publisher: Crisp Recipe
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Main Course
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 350 calories
Rickey Smiley Pinto Bean
Rickey Smiley Pinto Beans bring that soulful, Southern vibe straight to your plate with a humble yet deeply satisfying dish. Pinto beans are a cornerstone of Southern and soul food cooking, and this version—named after the comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley—captures that home-cooked warmth and flavor you crave. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a family gathering in a bowl, where simple ingredients come together to create something truly comforting and nourishing.
The heart of the dish lies in the pinto beans themselves—soft, creamy, and packed with earthy richness. They’re slow-cooked with a savory blend of smoked ham hocks or bacon that infuses the beans with a smoky, meaty depth. Onions, garlic, and a touch of bell pepper round out the flavor, adding a sweet and aromatic lift. The seasoning is straightforward but effective: salt, pepper, maybe a little cayenne or smoked paprika for warmth without stealing the spotlight. It’s a masterclass in letting quality, simple ingredients shine.
Eating Rickey Smiley Pinto Beans is like settling into a cozy Sunday afternoon. The beans are tender but hold their shape, bathing in a rich, flavorful broth that’s both hearty and slightly smoky. There’s a warmth from the spices and meat that sneaks up on you, making each spoonful feel like a slow, delicious hug. The flavors feel natural and balanced—never overworked or complicated, just that pure, satisfying taste of soul food done right.
This dish is typically served hot, often alongside cornbread, rice, or greens, making it a versatile and filling part of any meal. Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge, and reheating is a breeze—just warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, maybe with a splash of water or broth to keep it nice and saucy. Nutritionally, pinto beans bring a great source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making this dish both comforting and good for you in a naturally wholesome way.
What makes Rickey Smiley Pinto Beans special is its straightforward, soulful authenticity. Some folks like to add a dash of hot sauce or fresh herbs to personalize it, but at its core, it’s about that slow-cooked, smoky goodness that hits home every time. If you want to bring a taste of Southern hospitality to your kitchen, the recipe below will guide you through making this classic with heart and flavor. Give it a try—you won’t regret it.
Recipe
Looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make pinto bean recipe? Look no further than Rickey Smiley's pinto bean recipe! This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck. The beans are cooked in a broth flavored with smoked turkey, Better Than Bouillon, onion, garlic, thyme, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, and paprika. The beans are then simmered with corn, salt, and pepper until they are tender. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and sorted
- 1 smoked turkey wing or leg
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon, chicken or beef flavor 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 5 or 6 ears of corn, cut in half
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method Instructions
- Place the pinto beans, smoked turkey, Better Than Bouillon, onion, garlic, thyme, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, and paprika in a large pot.
- Cover the beans with water by 2 inches.
- Bring the beans to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Remove the smoked turkey from the pot and shred it.
- Stir the shredded turkey, corn, salt, and pepper into the beans.
- Let the beans simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until the corn is tender.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Recipe Video
This is a video about Rickey Smiley Pinto Bean.
Author: Rickey Smiley
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 168 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Rickey Smiley Pinto Bean, Rickey Smiley Pinto Bean Recipe, Recipe
Servings
Rickey Smiley's pinto beans can be served as a main course or a side dish. Here are a few ideas for how to serve them:
- Serve them with rice, cornbread, or tortillas.
- Add them to a burrito or taco.
- Top them with sour cream, cheese, and your favorite hot sauce.
- Use them as a filling for a quesadilla or enchilada.
- Serve them as a dip with tortilla chips.
Tips
- For a more flavorful broth, you can brown the smoked turkey in a skillet before adding it to the pot.
- If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can quick-soak them by bringing them to a boil in water for 5 minutes, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for an hour.
- You can also use canned pinto beans in this recipe. Just rinse the beans and drain them before adding them to the pot.
- If you are serving them as a main course, you may want to add some protein, such as shredded chicken or beef.
- If you are serving them as a side dish, you may want to add some vegetables, such as corn, tomatoes, or onions.
- You can adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you like your beans spicier, you can add more Slap Ya Mama seasoning or hot sauce.
- If you are using canned beans, you may need to add more liquid to the pot, as canned beans tend to be drier than dried beans.
- When substituting ingredients, it is important to keep the overall flavor profile of the dish in mind. For example, if you are substituting smoked sausage for smoked turkey, you will want to use a sausage that has a similar flavor profile.
- If you are substituting a different type of broth for the Better Than Bouillon, you may need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe.
- If you are substituting a different type of seasoning for the Slap Ya Mama seasoning, you may need to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the recipe.
- If you are substituting a different vegetable for the corn, you may need to adjust the cooking time of the beans.
Ingredient Substitutes
- Smoked turkey: If you don't have smoked turkey, you can use smoked sausage, ham hocks, or bacon. You can also use vegetable broth or water instead of the Better Than Bouillon.
- Better Than Bouillon: If you don't have Better Than Bouillon, you can use chicken or beef broth, or a combination of both.
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning: If you don't have Slap Ya Mama seasoning, you can use any kind of Cajun seasoning, or a combination of cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Paprika: If you don't have paprika, you can use chili powder or cayenne pepper.
- Corn: If you don't have corn, you can use another vegetable, such as tomatoes, carrots, or green beans.
Remarks
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you like it.