5 from 56 votes
Southern Butter Beans
Southern Butter Beans are slow-cooked lima beans simmered with smoked ham, spices, and herbs in chicken broth until tender and richly flavored. The addition of butter and shredded smoked meat enriches the creamy texture, making this a hearty and comforting dish rooted in traditional Southern cooking.
Prep Time
10 mins
Additional Time
8 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
348 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine:
American
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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348
% 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.