Southern Butter Beans
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
10 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
348 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Southern Butter Beans
Description
The recipe starts by sautéing onion and garlic in butter, then adding soaked lima beans, smoked ham, ham hock or smoked neck bones, chicken broth, and a blend of seasonings including garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. This mixture simmers uncovered for two to two and a half hours, allowing the beans to soften and flavors to deepen. After cooking, the ham hock is removed, shredded, and returned to the pot. More butter is stirred in before seasoning is adjusted.
The cooking produces creamy beans infused with smoky ham flavor enhanced by aromatic herbs and spices. The texture ranges from tender beans to soft meat, creating a balanced mouthfeel. Variations include cooking in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, offering flexibility in preparation.
This dish serves well as a comforting side or main, fitting particularly with traditional Southern meals. The slow simmer and butter enrich the beans and create a dish with depth of flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lima beans soaked overnight then rinsed and drained (optional but helps with digestion, large, dried
- 4 tablespoons butter divided, unsalted
- 1 yellow onion diced, medium
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 cups smoked ham diced
- 1 ham hock or 2 meaty smoked neck bones, smoked
- 8 cups chicken broth I use and love Aneto Broth, quality
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary dried
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat one tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat and saute the onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients (it's a myth that you shouldn't add salt to cooking beans, it in fact improves the texture). Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours uncovered, adding more broth or water if needed, until the beans are tender and thickened. Discard the bay leaves.Transfer the smoked ham hock to a plate, remove and shred the meat, then return the meat to the beans. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and add salt and pepper to taste. See blog post for serving recommendations.
- Slow Cooker Butter Beans: Saute the onions and garlic and transfer them with all remaining ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours or until the beans are tender. Stir in the butter and add salt and pepper to taste.Instant Pot Butter Beans: Saute the onions and garlic and add all remaining ingredients. Set to HIGH for 20 minutes followed by a natural release. Stir in the butter and add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 348kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 884mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 887mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 398IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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