Bud Spencer-style beans, or Trinity-Style Beans, are a delicious, creamy and nutritious main course, inspired by a highlight scene in a classic among 1970s Italian westerns, “They Called Him Trinity.”
In this film, in fact, the scene in which Terence Hill eats with gusto an entire pan of beans in a very few minutes is epic: it is said to have been filmed only once, with Terence Hill fasting for 24 hours – according to some even 48 hours – so as to make the binge realistic.
It was from this scene that the definition of bean-western, an all-Italian strand in the wake of the spaghetti-western, was born.
Many variations of this recipe circulate, with sausage or bacon; with rosemary and carrot.
I chose the “classic” recipe.

Trinity-Style Beans
Bud Spencer-Style Beans: from Spaghetti-Western Movies
Course Italian Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups Black Beans
- 1 large Onion
- 1 whole Red Pepper
- 2 Tomatoes peeled
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- The recipe is uniquely simple.
- You coarsely slice onions and dip them in olive oil.
- Let it brown and then add the beans.
- Stir quickly and add salt, chili and pepper.
- Keep stirring over low heat and finally add the tomatoes.
- Season with salt and let everything cook over medium heat until the beans are tender.
- Be careful…..the beans are very spicy!!!
Keyword beans from Spaghetti-Western Movies, Bud Spencer-Style Beans, italian bean dish, Trinity-Style Beans
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