Well, lemme tell ya, when you got a pot of pinto beans simmerin’ and some cornbread bakin’, you’re in for a real treat. But a body can’t just eat beans and cornbread all day, no sir! You gotta have somethin’ else on that plate to make it a meal. So, what goes good with pinto beans and cornbread? Let’s see here…
Somethin’ Green on the Plate
First off, you need somethin’ green. My mama always said you gotta have your greens. Now, some folks like them collard greens. Cook ’em down with a ham hock if you got one. If not, a little bacon grease will do ya. Collard greens and pinto beans, they’re like two peas in a pod, I tell ya.
Or, if you ain’t got collard greens, maybe some coleslaw. That crunchy, tangy slaw, it cuts right through the richness of them beans. Just shred up some cabbage, carrots, and whatever else you like in your slaw. Mix it up with some mayo, vinegar, and a little sugar. Easy peasy.
- Collard greens – Cooked low and slow, with a ham bone, if you are lucky.
- Coleslaw – Crunchy and tangy, a good mix with beans.
Some Meat on the Side
Now, if you’re a meat eater, you might want somethin’ more substantial. Fried chicken, that’s a classic. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Who don’t like fried chicken? It’s a good match with that cornbread and them pinto beans.
Or maybe you got some leftover ham. A thick slice of ham, warmed up, that’s mighty fine with beans and cornbread. The saltiness of the ham, it just sets off the flavor of them beans somethin’ wonderful.
Barbecue ribs. Oh, them smoky, tender ribs. They’re a bit of work, but worth it. If you’ve got the time and the inclination, barbecue ribs are a real crowd-pleaser. You could serve your pinto beans right on top of the cornbread, and it would still be good with them ribs. It is all good with ribs, I tell you that.
- Fried Chicken – Crispy, juicy, a real classic with cornbread and pinto beans.
- Ham – Salty and savory, goes good with the beans.
- Barbecue Ribs – Smoky and tender, good with pinto beans and cornbread.
Other Vittles to Round it Out
Don’t forget about potato salad. That creamy, cool potato salad, it’s a good contrast to the warm beans. You can make it with mayonnaise, mustard, or even vinegar, whichever way you like it best.
Mashed potatoes is another good one. If you ain’t got the time for potato salad, some simple mashed potatoes will do ya. Just boil ’em, mash ’em, add some butter and milk, maybe a little salt and pepper. Creamy and comforting.
Some folks like grilled corn on the cob. That sweet corn, with a little char on it from the grill, it’s a taste of summer, even in the wintertime. You might need to have some butter with it, too, though. It is no good if it is too dry.
- Potato salad – Creamy and cool, a nice contrast to them beans.
- Mashed potatoes – Simple and comforting, everybody likes ’em.
- Grilled corn on the cob – Sweet and smoky, a taste of summer.
Don’t Forget Dessert!
Now, after all that savory food, you need somethin’ sweet to finish it off. A simple peach cobbler, made with canned peaches if that’s all you got. That warm, gooey cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, it’s pure heaven.
Or maybe just a slice of apple pie. Can’t go wrong with apple pie. It ain’t fancy, but it’s good. Especially if you make the crust yourself, which is not as hard as some people think. It’s just flour, lard, and a little water, if you know what you are doing. It takes practice, but that’s how you learn to make a good crust.
How to Eat Pinto Beans and Cornbread
Some people like to eat their pinto beans and cornbread side by side. You take a bite of cornbread, then a spoonful of beans. Or, you can crumble up your cornbread right into your bowl of beans. Mix it all up, make it kind of like a thick soup. I like to put my pinto beans on top of the cornbread. Then I eat them both in one bite. It is not fancy, but it sure is good!
The Best Meal for Cold Nights
Pinto beans and cornbread, with a few good sides, that’s a meal that’ll stick to your ribs. It’ll warm you up on a cold night and fill your belly without emptyin’ your wallet. So next time you’re wonderin’ what to cook, remember this old-fashioned meal. It’s been around a long time for a reason – because it’s good! And you can add some fajita veggies to it, too. I don’t know what those are, but I hear they are good. And some of them pickled onions. And some guacamole. Whatever that is. It sounds fancy, but if it goes well with pinto beans and cornbread, then it must be good! You can put anything you like with pinto beans and cornbread. As long as you have some good sides, you’re sure to have a good meal.
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