This Classic Pantry Staple Belongs In Pork Pot Roast For Extra Fiber And Protein

It's always nice to give a fresh twist to pork pot roast, especially when it brings both protein and fiber to boot. What adds both protein and fiber? Beans, which are having quite the moment for their high fiber and protein content (and, frankly, for their delicious flavor). Why not toss them into your next pork pot roast?

After all, pork and beans is a classic pairing. For this duo, the hearty, subtle Great Northern bean is a perfect fit. They're medium in size, have a mild flavor, and are tender when cooked properly. Plus, they have a long track record of being paired with pork. To make, start by soaking about 1 pound of dried beans overnight, then drain and add to your Crock-Pot or Dutch oven to cook with your other ingredients. Make sure to add enough liquid to cover your pork and beans so your beans can absorb it and get nice and plump. Cook at least a couple of hours to fully tenderize your pork and beans, and serve!

Not in the mood to soak or prep beans? Not to fret, you can absolutely use canned beans in place of dried. Just cook them at a lower temperature since canned beans have a tendency to get mushy if overcooked. You can also switch up the beans if you don't care for Great Northern. My family uses butter beans for both beef and pork roast, but its mild, buttery flavor makes it an especially lovely pairing for pork. You can use canned or dried butter beans, but I prefer dried since it soaks up more of the pork roast taste.

Speaking of taste, why not add a few ingredients or seasonings that blend the flavor of bean and pork into one delicious union? Adding bacon to your roast can help really infuse your beans with porky flavor, and further enhances the taste of your roast. Additionally, a bit of brown sugar can help enhance your pork's natural sweetness, and plays very well with both butter and Great Northern beans. If you want to lean into the sweet-meets-savory side of this dish, adding apple cider to your pot roast can really help play into your pork's flavor profile. For a more concentrated fruit flavor, use apple butter instead. No matter what direction you take this combo in, it's sure to be good.