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)
17 grams carbs; 81 milligrams cholesterol; 436 calories; 14 grams monosaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 28 grams fat; 5 grams fiber; 727 milligrams sodium; 22 grams protein; 3 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.
I thought this was delicious, but echo the need for a squeeze of lemon at the end. I did get confused about what to do with the garlic after browning. I removed from the pot and then squeezed out the pieces at the end. Should have added back in earlier to soften the garlic and add to bean flavor. Still a 5 star dinner
How do you shred the pork after cooking all of this together?
This was extraordinary. Threw in a Parmesan rind and wow, everything came out rich & decadent—real stick-to-your-bones stuff. My Alubia Blanca beans were done in a little over an hour; if your beans are still chalky after two, I’d suggest finding better beans!