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Butter Beans Recipe (Best Lima Beans)
Classic Butter Beans with bacon recipe for the most tender, flavorful lima beans that are perfect to serve as a side with your favorite southern dishes!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Soak Time
12 hrs
Total Time
12 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 191 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried butter beans lima beans
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chicken base bouillon or vegetable base
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Soak the beans: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 12-24 hours. If you are in a hurry, most bags of beans have a “speed-soak” method listed on the package.
- Set a large 6-8 quart sauce pot over medium heat. Add the bacon. Stir and brown for 3-5 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Sauté for 5 minutes to soften.
- Drain the beans. Then pour the beans into the pot. Add in the chicken base and water. Stir well.
- Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, until the butter beans are soft.
- Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon, add in a couple of tablespoons of butter, and use a vegetable base instead of chicken.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon, add in a couple of tablespoons of butter, and use a vegetable base instead of chicken.
- Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well! Once they have cooled transfer the lima beans to a sealed freezer-safe zipper bag or container, and keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let them defrost overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of water or stock to get them back to the right soupy consistency.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
191kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
8mg
(3%)
Sodium
304mg
(13%)
Potassium
753mg
(22%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
1832IU
(37%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 191kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 304mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 753mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1832IU | 37% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.