Porchetta Beans
Updated October 27, 2025
- Ready In
- 2 hr 40 min
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and black pepper
1 garlic head, halved crosswise
1 pound dried white beans, such as cannellini or corona
1 fennel bulb, including stalks if available, cut through the stem into 1-inch wedges
3 sage sprigs
1 rosemary sprig
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
11 grams carbs; 54 milligrams cholesterol; 290 calories; 9 grams monosaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 19 grams fat; 3 grams fiber; 485 milligrams sodium; 15 grams protein; 2 grams sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the pork and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Scoot the pork to one side and add the garlic cut-sides down. Cook until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Step 2
Add the beans, fennel, sage and rosemary, along with 1½ teaspoons each salt and pepper. Cover the beans with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil.
- Step 3
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the pork and beans are tender, 1 to 2 hours. Add water as needed to keep the beans submerged. To test for doneness, taste more than one bean to ensure they’re all cooked through; they should flatten without much effort when pressed between your fingers. Season to taste with salt. Use two forks to shred the pork, then spoon the pork, beans, fennel and broth into bowls. Top with another grind of black pepper.
Private Notes
Comments
@Carolinewhile everything was being prepped I roasted a big whole head of garlic with olive oil. When cool I squeezed it all into the simmering soup! Excellent!
This is actually untrue. How long the beans take to soften depends on how long they've been stored. I've made plenty of pots of Rancho Gordo or other dried beans in an hour or two without soaking first. I never soak my beans, not because it's a bad idea but because I just don't plan ahead enough and I don't let that stop me from making beans.
The recipe doesn't say but definitely soak the beans overnight or use the quick method (sort & wash beans; put in large pot & cover with 2" water; heat to boiling & boil for 2 minutes; take off heat, cover, & let sit for 1 hour; drain). Dried beans won't cook in only one or two hours, or they won't cook enough. They'll be semi-hard & undigestible. Also, skip the garlic bulb & use minced garlic instead---easier, less mess & same result.
@Kay Voyvodich I plan on using chicken or turkey thighs when I make it
I have been cooking beans for 45 years and during this time I’ve lived in four cities. The time it takes to soften beans when cooking depends greatly on the mineral content of the water used. My first house had well water and beans would *never* get soft. City water improved softening, now I have whole house water purification that removes most minerals and beans get soft very quickly with no soaking. You might try using different water if you are having trouble softening beans. BTW I love this recipe!!
This is a wonderful, easy meal, satisfying and not ordinary. Really great for a winter evening. Prepped and put in pot around 3:30PM, ready to eat by 6:30PM. Comments about being bland - you’re allowed to adjust seasoning elements to taste. I added 1 t. Better than Bouillon chicken to the water, and 1/4 C of dry white wine (French Sauvignon Blanc), 1/2 of a white onion, sliced, and a couple shakes of crushed red pepper about 20 minutes before finish. Also juice of half lemon at the end. Used Rancho Gordo cassoulet beans - cooked to perfection in about 2.5 hours, but let it go a bit longer for extra flavor. I cut the pork into smaller pieces, more like 1/2-3/4” bite-size cubes, and no need to shred at the end. Did not have whole sage leaves, used dried crushed leaves from CSA. Would be very nice with a green salad but didn’t have anything on hand so just the stew for s.