Description
Southern-Style Lima Beans are a classic comfort food with creamy beans simmered in smoky, savory broth. Perfect as a side dish or hearty main, this easy recipe brings old-fashioned flavor to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried lima beans (or 4 cups frozen)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ham hock, smoked turkey leg, or 4 slices bacon (optional for smoky flavor)
- 6 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Soak or Rinse Beans: If using dried lima beans, rinse and soak overnight, then drain. For frozen beans, rinse and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook chopped onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, 3–4 minutes.
- Add Smoked Meat: Place ham hock, turkey leg, or bacon into the pot. Brown lightly to release smoky flavor.
- Combine Beans and Liquid: Stir in beans, then add broth or water to cover. Add bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer 1½–2 hours for dried beans (45–60 minutes for frozen), stirring occasionally.
- Finish: Remove smoked meat, shred if desired, and stir back in. Adjust seasoning. Mash a few beans against the pot side for extra creaminess.
- Serve: Dish warm with cornbread or your favorite Southern sides. Garnish with parsley or hot sauce.
Notes
For vegetarian beans, skip the meat and add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or a splash of liquid smoke. To make ahead, store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently with extra broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 10mg