A Tennessee political force and the seventh president.
Family or White House tradition
Jackson’s food tradition includes leather britches, dried green beans slowly cooked with pork. Fresh beans and bacon are our quicker adaptation of that preserved-bean dish.
The president & the table
Presidential culinary histories associate Jackson with leather britches: green beans preserved by drying and cooked with pork. His public table could look very different. Ice cream and cake were served at the White House reception following his 1829 inauguration.
Behind this story
Jackson food traditions in presidential culinary histories; accounts of the 1829 inaugural reception.
APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.
Make it at home.
Our home adaptation · Serves 4 · Not yet kitchen-tested
What you’ll need
Let’s make it
Simmer beans in water for 6–8 minutes until tender to your liking. Drain.
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat.
Soften onion in the pan for 5–7 minutes. Add garlic for 30 seconds.
Add beans, bacon and vinegar; toss for 2 minutes. Season with pepper and taste before adding any salt.
About this home version
A modern home recipe with practical ingredients and measured quantities.
Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.
