07/07/2026
Northern Beans with Smoked Turkey Neckbones & Hoecakes 🍲🦃🌽
Ingredients:
For the Beans:
* 1 lb dried Great Northern beans, soaked overnight and drained
* 2 lbs smoked turkey neckbones
* 8 cups chicken broth
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 celery stalks, diced
* 1 tsp smoked paprika
* 1 tsp garlic powder
* 1 tsp onion powder
* ½ tsp black pepper
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* 2 bay leaves
* Salt, to taste
* 2 tbsp butter
For the Hoecakes:
* 2 cups self-rising cornmeal
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 large egg
* 2 tbsp melted butter
* 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
* Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
1. Place the soaked beans, smoked turkey neckbones, chicken broth, onion, celery, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, and bay leaves in a large Dutch oven.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2½–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the turkey is falling off the bone.
3. Remove the turkey neckbones. Shred the meat, discard the bones, and return the meat to the pot.
4. Stir in the butter, taste, and adjust the salt if needed. Simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes until creamy.
5. To make the hoecakes, whisk together the cornmeal, buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and sugar until a thick batter forms. Let rest for 5 minutes.
6. Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
7. Scoop about ¼ cup of batter into the skillet for each hoecake and flatten slightly.
8. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
9. Drain on paper towels.
10. Serve the creamy Northern beans topped with smoked turkey alongside warm hoecakes.
🍲🦃🌽