Bear s Bodacious Bean Bonanza

1 (16 ounce) package dry 16 bean soup mix

1 (3.25 ounce) package any flavor beef jerky, diced

1 pound thick sliced bacon

1 tablespoon butter

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen Fordhook lima beans, thawed

2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained

2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can green beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can wax beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn

1 pound cubed fully cooked ham

1 large onion, chopped

1 large red onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 ½ cups diced carrots

1 ½ cups diced celery

½ cup honey

¼ cup molasses

¼ cup brown sugar

Place the dry 16 bean mix into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Or, bring the beans and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.

Bring the soaked beans to a boil in a large pot with enough water to cover. Add the diced jerky and simmer for about 2 hours.

Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Chop the cooled bacon into 1/2-inch pieces.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the thawed lima beans in the butter until the beans are evenly browned, about 10 minutes.

Stir the bacon, lima beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, green beans, wax beans, cream-style corn, ham, onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, honey, molasses, and brown sugar into the pot with the cooked beans and jerky. Cook another 30 minutes or until the beans are tender.