Soul FoodMedium · Hot
Cast Iron Bacon and White Bean Skillet
A hearty one-pan soul food classic with crispy bacon, tender white beans, and smoky seasonings cooked low and slow in a cast iron skillet.
Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Method
Crisp the Bacon
1
Place the cast iron skillet over medium heat. Lay the bacon strips in a single layer and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
Build the Base
2
Add the diced onion, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Sauté over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent.
3
Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, and thyme. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Combine and Simmer
4
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Add the white beans and stir everything together well.
5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through and the flavors have melded.
Finish and Serve
6
7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the skillet directly from the cast iron with crusty bread or cornbread on the side.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -11
Calories
852
per serving
High in protein · 57gSource of fibre · 16gLow sugar · 6gLow saturated fat · 2g
Protein
57g
Carbs
138g
Fat
10g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
16g
Sugar
6g
Sodium
864mg
Gluten FreeDairy FreeDiabetes FriendlyHeart HealthyLow SodiumHigh ProteinLow CarbHigh Fiber
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
C
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
1.0
per serving
CCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.2m³
Runoff
0.1g P
Bacon drives 54% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
8
Umami
3
Sweet
7
Salty
1
Sour
1
Bitter
4
Spicy
Textures
CrispyTenderCreamy
Aromas
SmokyHerbalSavoryPungent
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Cast Iron SkilletCounter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook bacon to internal temperature of 145°F minimum. Ensure beans and broth mixture reaches simmering temperature (180-200°F) before serving. Never leave cooked bacon in the 'danger zone' (40-140°F) for more than 2 hours total.
High Risk Population
This dish contains bacon which is high in sodium and processed meats. Not recommended as a regular meal for individuals with cardiovascular health concerns without modification.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover skillet dish within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat to 165°F before consuming leftover portions.
Equipment Safety
Cast iron retains heat long after cooking; use oven mitt when handling hot skillet handle. Place hot skillet on trivet or heat-resistant surface only. Never immerse hot cast iron in cold water to prevent thermal shock and cracking.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards for raw bacon and vegetables. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw bacon. Never return cooked vegetables to the same plate that held raw bacon without washing first.
Allergen Warning
Celery is present in this dish. Bacon may contain sulfites and gluten depending on brand. Chicken broth may also contain gluten or milk derivatives. Verify all ingredient labels if cooking for individuals with allergen sensitivities.
Handling
Allow bacon to cool slightly before draining and handling. When draining bacon drippings, pour through fine mesh strainer to remove solid bits and prevent splatter burns. Use long tongs for flipping bacon in hot skillet.
Pro Tips
Technique
That bacon fat left in the skillet after cooking? That's not grease, that's the soul of the dish. Those drippings carry all the smoky, savory depth — don't you dare rinse that skillet.
Substitution
If you don't have white beans, navy beans or cannellini work beautifully here. And for extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce when you pour in the broth — my grandmother kept her bottle right next to the salt.
From the chef
White beans cooked in bacon drippings with smoked paprika and cayenne are one of those fundamentally honest dishes that the ingredients just want to become. Render the bacon first, leave every bit of fat in the skillet, then let the onion, celery, and bell pepper soften into that foundation before the beans and broth come in. Low heat, a lid, fifteen minutes — and by the time you crumble the bacon back over the top and stir in the parsley, the whole skillet smells like something that has been going all day. Serve it straight from the cast iron with cornbread alongside.
TagsSoul FoodCast IronOne PanBaconBeansSmokySavoryHeartyComfort Food
AllergensCelerySulfitesGluten
Source: generated · June 10, 2026