Southern Butter Beans
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs 30 mins
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Total Time
4 hrs 35 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
292 kcal
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Cuisine
American, Vegetarian
Southern Butter Beans
Description
This recipe for Southern Butter Beans uses green butter beans or petite lima beans combined with rendered bacon fat for richness and chicken bouillon to add depth of savory flavor. Beans are placed in a slow cooker with seasoning and enough water to cover by an inch, cooking on high then low heat for several hours until tender.
The slow cooking process softens the beans to a creamy texture while integrating the smoky notes from bacon fat and the umami of bouillon. Additional water may be added if the beans absorb too much during cooking, ensuring they remain moist without drying out.
Traditionally served as a Southern-style side, these butter beans pair well with meats or as part of a comfort-food meal. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for several days and can be gently reheated on the stovetop to retain their creamy consistency.
Ingredients
- 4 cups green butter beans or substitute baby lima beans - also called "petite" lima beans, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons bacon fat rendered
- 1 ½ tablespoons chicken bouillon such as Maggi brand, or 1 cube of Knorr chicken bouillon, granulated
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- water to cover butter beans by one-inch
Instructions
- Place butter beans, butter substitute, chicken bouillon and enough water to cover the butter beans by one inch in a small slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 1 ½ hours.
- Turn cooker to low and cook for another 2-3 hours or until butter beans are tender.
- Add a small amount of additional water during cooking only if needed.
Notes
- Frozen petite or baby lima beans can be used if fresh butter beans are unavailable.
- If bacon fat is not on hand, render fat from about 4 slices of bacon or add a smoked ham hock or smoked turkey wings to achieve a similar smoky flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 292kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 1361mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 1043mg | 22% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 551IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 62mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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