Now, I’ll admit I grew up calling these large limas or dried limas and called their smaller green to cream colored fresh counter parts butter beans (like these). And I’m not alone. I surveyed y’all on Facebook and saw that quite a few follow my naming nomenclature, while others were the opposite. Many of you call these large dried beans butter beans. And with more than 1,000 replies at last check, y’all are pretty passionate about what you call ’em.
Here’s what I know for sure… Call them whatever you will. Just don’t call me late to supper when these babies are on the menu.
My recipe for cooking them is simple, straightforward, and only calls for a handful of ingredients, but it’s the method that really matters. Let’s jump in…
Now, my mom taught me that with all dried beans, they need to be soaked before cooking – whether using the overnight or the quick soak method. Now, since I know she’s reading this (Hi, Mom!), I’ll fall short of saying she’s wrong, but I will say that we now know better. Yep, modern science and testing have revealed that soaking beans really doesn’t do much other than cut down on the cook time (which isn’t a huge difference anyway).
Since it’s how I learned to cook, I’m a strong proponent of the philosophy that the way your mom or grandma did it is the right way. So if you want to soak your beans, by gosh you need to soak those beans. But the truth is that if you don’t have time to soak, (or just don’t want to) you’re going to come out with some super delicious beans either way.
Now for me, these large dried limas should be swimming in a thick, rich broth that’s super creamy. It’s the way mom made them and after a few tests, the trick to getting them that way is super simple. You have to stir them.
You see those beans right above here? Those beans were cooked using the exact same method and ingredients, but I only stirred them twice. The result is mainly whole beans and a relatively thin, clear broth.
Now these down here below were stirred quite a bit more. The stirring broke some of the beans up and the starch from those beans thickened the broth and made for a hearty, thick sauce to coat the beans. This is how Mom made them.
Either way is delicious, it’s just all in how you like them.
Now while some recipes calls for onion, garlic, even carrots, Mom made her beans with just water, smoked meat, salt, and pepper. Often she would also include a pinch of ground ginger as many claim it helps with the uh… um, “after effects” of eating a bowl full of beans, but there’s no scientific evidence of that being true.
Outside of the beans themselves, most of the flavor comes from the salt and the smoked meat. I keep ham hocks frozen for this because I think they add the most flavor to dishes like this, but a ham bone, smoked turkey wings, smoked pork neck bones, or even smoked sausage can be used to get that smoky flavor.
Regardless of what you call them and whether you stir them or not, these beans are a hearty, delicious side (or even main dish) that’s perfect alongside some piping hot cornbread. In my family, beans like this have always been served with some raw onion. I’ve heard others say they add mayonnaise or even ketchup to them. No matter what goes with them, I know you’re going to love them! Y’all enjoy!
Southern Lima Beans (Butter Beans)
Ingredients
- 1 pound large dried lima beans
- 1 large smoked ham hock*
- 9 cups water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and check for any foreign particles.
- Add the beans to a large pot or dutch oven. Add the ham hock, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil, and cook for about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover tightly and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender to your liking. Add water to keep the beans just covered. Stir less frequently to allow the beans to stay intact, or stir more often to create a thick, rich broth. Be sure to see the blog post for details. Add the pepper and additional salt to taste. If desired, remove the hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Place beans, water, ham hock, salt and pepper in a 6 quart slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for 5 hours (or low for 7 to 8 hours) or until the beans are tender to your liking. Stir well and adjust seasoning to your taste. If needed, add hot water to the beans to keep them covered as to not drop the temperature as they cook. If desired, remove the hock, shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker.
Notes
Barbara says
When I use the Crock Pot or the pressure cooker, when almost done, I dip a cup or two out of the pot and smash them up with a fork. Then put them back into the pot and stir. This helps give them the thick, creamy liquid. Taste wonderful!
Stacey says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia McElhatten says
Although this recipe sounds wonderful, my favorite way too have them is cooked in butter and a little cream. Then sooon them over buttered homemade bread. ❤️ I have always bought them in a can but tonight thy are soaking all night. I just made home bread today. I would love them with ham hock or baked the Greek way in tomato sauce.
Stacey says
I’ve yet to try them in the tomato sauce, but it’s on my list!
Janet Ross says
me too. We didn’t have a lot of meat growing up but we did get butter from commodity
Deguello says
Here’s another tip: if you’ve been wondering what do with that terrific Honey-Baked Ham bone from Thanksgiving, a pot of butter beans is the perfect dish to use it, but make it with 2 lbs. of beans.
Barbara says
I have a friend who uses the dripping from honey baked ham for limas, great northern and navy beans. Delicious!
Christine Stegall says
You must be from Southeast Texas that’s exactly how I fix those beans that I learned from my mom and my grandma D licious pinto beans fix that Way too are really really good and I do put catchup on them LOL
Susan says
I grew up in central Texas and butter beans was a favorite of mine. One tip I’ve learned over the years is a stick of unsalted butter and some onion salteed in the butter. Also, leaving out the ham and salt until the beans are tender makes for a much creamier texture. I also follow someone else’s tip of mashing some if they aren’t quite as creamy as I like when done.
Stacey says
Thanks for sharing your tips, Susan!
Lisa Walters says
My mommy parboiled them because it left a yucky taste if you didn’t. Then she would rinse them and returned to the stove in fresh water and let them cook stirring often and about 20 minutes before serving she added 1(one) stick of parkay margarine. Fry up some taters, make cornbread and mmm mmm that is butter beans. I like them with ham hocks but nothing beats my mommy’s butter beans. After all you can’t called butter beans without the butter, otherwise they are just a lima bean.
Stacey says
It’s so fun to hear about how folks call different foods different names! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!!
Barbara Miller says
You are so right about the stirring. The creamy broth is the best part of this dish.
Stacey says
They’re just not the same without that thick, creamy broth!
Karen says
This is my favorite bean. Yes is awesome
with a piece of cornbread and onion. ????????
Stacey says
Sounds so good!
Jackie Maxwell says
We eat them on cornbread with sliced onion and hard boiled eggs! Yum. That will be our dinner tonight!
Diane says
Funny story, and I’m giving away my age here. When I was a little girl visiting my grandparents on their farm in southern Kentucky my granny cooked these beans quite often. My granddaddy called them “Johnson ears”, as in President Lyndon Johnson who had quite large ears. That always made us kids giggle.
Stacey says
That’s hilarious!! Thanks for sharing!
sue says
I soak the dried beans overnight in a large pot. I rinse the beans in the morning and then use my crockpot! Delicious!
Stacey says
My mom almost always does hers in the slow cooker now.
Julie says
Do they still come out creamy or do you have to stir, even in the crock pot?
Stacey says
I think they need a little stirring in the crock pot, too.
Alan Mountjoy-Venning says
Contrary to what the author says, science does tell us there’s a reason to soak beans. They produce complex sugars we’re not all able to digest, which accounts for bean’s reputations for flatulence. Soaking beans gets rid of many of those complex carbohydrates. And reducing cooking time is not an inconsequential benefit. I do lots of low energy and solar cooking and reduced cooking time matters if you don’t want to use a lot of extra energy.
Stacey says
It’s not just something I’ve made up. Here are a few resources from some well-respected institutions:
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/soaking-dried-beans-overnight-necessary
https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/soaking-salting-dried-bean-myths-article
https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-dont-soak-dried-beans-20140911-story.html
https://www.foodandwine.com/beans-legumes/do-beans-need-to-be-soaked-before-cooking
Tj says
Just wanted to say that the culinary world may feel there is no need to soak, but dietary reasons support soaking them. Most seeds contain substances that inhibit adsorption of nutrients and need these substances soaked out of them so that we can better use their nutrients. In nature these substances would be soaked out of the seeds with the spring rains and inhibit the growth of nearby plants, thus giving the seedling a head start. Beans need to be soaked and the soaking water dumped so that we do not ingest these substances and thereby inhibit our ability to absorb their nutrients, especially iron. Not soaking once in a while may not hurt, but over the long term can cause low iron and other deficiencies.
Stacey says
Hi TJ! Do you have a source for this info? I’d like to do some more research and consult a registered dietitian friend of mine for more info. Thanks!
Patt Brantley says
I always soak the night before with a little baking soda, then rinse well the next morning. Maybe my imagination but it seems to reduce the gas the beans can cause. Key word: a little baking soda. One time I used too much and had to throw out the whole pot because it tasted like baking soda! Always use ham hock & a whole onion!
Darlene Kistler-Alvord says
If they are green, we called them Lima beans, dried, they are butter beans. The baby butter beans are my favorites.
Stacey says
It’s so interesting how folks seem to be one way or the other.
Sandra B. Mull says
I usually use chicken broth for half the liquid, which is different from how my Mama and Grandmama cooked them. I sometimes add a chopped sweet onion and a pinch of thyme. But dried limas are a perfect meal anyway you prepare them as long as you don’t omit the fatty, pork seasoning.
Stacey says
Sounds great and I’m always a fan of adding more flavor when you can!
PattiAnn says
Having a heck of a time finding dried limas/butter beans here in Central Oregon since this covid thing.
But when I can get my hands on some, there is nothing better than a simple preporation like yours to bring out all the lucious flavor these beans have to offer.
Thank you.
Stacey says
Thanks, PattiAnn! I couldn’t agree more! Hope you can get your hands on some soon!
Chareou Caprice Condelee says
@Patty I live here in Perris,CA I will send you 2-3 bags of the butter beans if you really need them, no problem, no charge I love to eat too send PO BOX # and they are there!! I saw this post cause I don’t go on recipe blogs and I was looking for a recipe, so no problem my name is Chareou Condelee and I live at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, phone # XXXXXXXXXXX give me a call I can pick them up at our neighborhood Stater Bros store, going to get a bag tomorrow !!! lol for Valentine’s Day dinner!!
Have a Nice Day!!
Happy Valentines Day!!
Kristen says
Yep. Oddly, any form of lima bean seems to have fallen through some kind of COVID crack here in the southwest too. On a different note, based on a recent article in Bon Appetit mag, I made a pot of pintos last month without soaking for the first time ever. What it said made sense: if you want your beans to taste like water go ahead and soak them. If you want them to taste like the ingredients in your broth just start them from dry so they can soak all that stuff up. Those beans were good!
Stacey says
I totally agree! And if folks do decide to soak them, I recommend cooking them in the soaking liquid. They’ll have better flavor.
Cindy Jordan says
Stacey, this recipe does not call for soaking the beans overnight. Should I soak the dried beans overnight?
Stacey says
No, there’s no need. I talk about it above in the post. Be sure to check it out.
Jeff says
I would like to say something about this soaking controversy. Whether you soak your beans (any kind of bean) or not, really all depends on your elevation above sea level. If you live in south-east Texas, as I do, there is absolutely no reason in the world to soak a bean. If you live in some mountainous region that is way above sea level, you better soak them are they will never get done. I think the deciding elevation is 1400 feet above sea level, but not sure about that. Some point in between just means less soaking time. Hope this helps.
Stacey says
I’ve honestly never considered that. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!
Susan says
You mean like at 5280 ft where I live? Sometimes they still don’t get properly done. And I got mine at Rancho Gordo and probably paid a fortune for shipping, but don’t care now,
just should have ordered more than a pound!
Joy says
I must jump in about the name of these beans! I am from the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Growing up, we called them and still do, Biggety Beans. Why, Because they are big and we would know exactly what kind of butter bean we would be eating for supper. We always ate them over a bed of white rice with chopped onions and cornbread. YUM! YUM! Ya’ll this is good eat’n!
Stacey says
Thanks for sharing, Joy!
Dorothy W. says
Can this dish be frozen? Thank you, I am 76 and just learned how to make my Butter beans thick. Just stir them, how easy is that! Who says you can’t teach an old “dog” new tricks.
Stacey says
Hey, Dorothy! Unfortunately, I’ve not tried freezing them, so I can’t say for sure.
Karen says
absolutely beans can be frozen. We dish them up in boy-snack sized portions to tide people over from football practice to suppertime. They reheat well in the microwave.
Karen Barbour says
I add chopped onion when cooking. Then when they’re cooked I add Bisquik dumplins to them. Just mix, drop by teaspoon (they swell), let them cook for a bit, turn each one over, cook the other side, and add one with your bowl of beans and some fresh raw chopped onion!
Stacey says
I love the idea of adding dumplings to this! Thanks for sharing, Karen!
Lorah Siverson says
Dying to try making this. My dad made this all the time when I was growing up. My question is…should I add butter, I remember my dad adding butter to the pot before it cooked all day
Stacey says
I think you can certainly add some butter if you wish.
Christine says
Y’all must be from South East Texas equine successful in the way I fix this dish that I learned from my mom and my grandma and yes I do put ketchup on it Yum
Dale Cone says
Thanks for sharing, I did not know stirring would thicken the juice. I like the thicker juice. My husbands favorite meal over rice. I have used raw bacon in them while cooking
Stacey says
Yeah, it breaks up some of the beans and the starch causes them to thicken up. Hope you’ll enjoy them!!
vicki myers says
I freeze leftover beans in a zip lock bag. Take out and put in saucepan and add a little water. Warm slowly without stirring.
Stacey says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!!!
Nannie Crawford says
Was always wondering if beans could be frozen after cooking. Thanks for the info.
Julie Dee says
If you do use a slow cooker does the stirring rule still apply? I’ve done these both ways–on the stove and in the crock and one time they turned out not creamy or flavorful, and I think it was the crock method. But I can’t remember. Ask your mom. Otherwise this is my go-to comfort food. I’ve loved lima beans since I was a kid and my mom never understood it. I finally had to learn to make these after having them in a soul food restaurant in Amarillo. Unforgettable.
Stacey says
I think you’d definitely want to take that top off and stir occasionally to get them creamy. You’d just have to take into account that taking the top off will extend the cook time a bit.
Barbara says
Add cream of mushroom soup delicious
Stacey says
I’ll have to try that! Sounds great! Thanks for sharing.
Ella says
Stacey, soaked my beans overnight and there were tons of bean “skins”. I guess they help thicken the soup? Was I supposed to cull through them and remove them before cooking? (It would have been about 1/2 of the bean volume! Just wondering…
Stacey says
Hi Ella! I don’t normally soak my beans, so I’ve not had that problem much. I think it’s a matter of preference. You can take them off, but the the beans will essentially cook to mush. Lots of folks like that, others, not so much.
Barbara A Stein says
No need to soak overnight?
Stacey says
Actually, no. Be sure to read the post. I mention it several times.
Dawn Tice says
I used to soak mine because my mom did.. however I love this method. Excellent recipe! I added about 1/4 cup of evaporated milk and 4Tof butter near the end!
Stacey says
Glad you’ve enjoyed it, Dawn! The evap milk and butter sound like perfect additions!
Pam Phelps says
My mom taught me to cook dried limas and I soak them because of tradition. I also serve them in a bowl topped with chopped fresh tomatoes, onions and red wine vinegar. A homemade hot biscuit makes this a full and hearty meal.
I am glad some of the old ways aren’t forgotten.
Stacey says
Sounds great, Pam!
Norma says
You’re recipe is the way I was taught to cook dried lima beans and ham, however I throw in one or two Bay leaves. My brother-in-law always called the large limas “choke beans”! I have a pot on the stove right now. Going to make a pone of cornbread to go with it. Yum!
Stacey says
Sounds like the perfect supper to me!
Chareou Caprice Condelee says
Love the website!! New commer!!
Stacey says
Welcome! Thanks so much!
Marilou says
We like to make bean salad with butter fat beans. We just used canned butter fat beans oil and vinegar salt and pepper and minced garlic. I cannot find nor have been able to find for over a year canned butter fat beans. If anyone knows where I can find them, please let me know. I live in New Hampshire.
Pete Plant says
Can you actually stir the beans too much? The reason I ask is because I was trying to get the liquid broth around my beans but it seems that the broth solidified too much. I like the broth to be where you can actually drink it. I tried to keep the water level over the beans at the right level while cooking. How can I make sure I have the liquid broth and not with the mashed potatoe texture?
Stacey says
Yes. Stirring them too much with break the beans up and kinda turn them into mush.
Pete says
Thats what I was thinking also. Perhaps I just stirred a little too much but you know another thing is that every time I soak the beans overnight , my broth turns out very nice, not mushy. I tried his method of not soaking the beans overnight and thats where I ran into trouble but I think it was because maybe I stirred a little too much. Thank you for your input !
Alan Mountjoy-Venning says
And reducing cooking time means you don’t heat up your kitchen in the summer, then using more energy (AC) to cool things down. It does seem Texas needs to learn a bit about energy.
Melody Hegler says
My favorite meal growing up, butter beans, fried chicken and my mamas biscuits. I loved the butter beans so much that when I had my tonsils out at age 30 it was all they could get me to eat.
Stacey says
Ha! They’re a favorite of mine, too!
Roseann says
I make a soup out of dried beans either large or small (and I do soak) and always with a good cottage ham. I cut the ham in half to get the most flavor and also add lots of chopped onion. The cottage ham makes this recipe. The meat comes out super tender and silky.
Stacey says
That sounds delicious!!
Jerry says
I usually like these over white rice with pepper vinegar splashed all over it. The thick broth mixes with the rice to make a stew.
Stacey says
Sounds delicious to me!
Mo says
I used pork jowl instead of hock and added acv. They were absolutely delicious. I made a huge batch and froze the rest and it’s just as good reheated, maybe better.
Stacey says
You’ve got my mouth watering! Glad they turned out great for you!
RIETJE KEYES says
I GREW UP DURING WW11. IN THE NETHERLANDS.THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR WE LIVED ON 400 CALORIES PER DAY. MY FATHER GOT A BASKET OF LIMA BEANS FROM A BULB GROWER AND MY MOM WOULD ADD A HANDFUL OF BEANS TO A PAN OF WATER WITH SUGAR BEETS, CABBAGE, CARROTS AND YES, EVEN SOME TULIP BULBS. NOT VERY GOOD TASTING. BUT THEY KEPT US ALIVE! I NOW FEEL SO FORTUNATE I CAN COOK THE BEANS WITH WHATEVER I HAVE IN MY KITCHEN.
Stacey says
What a remarkable story!
Bev says
I cooked these beans all day in a show cooker but there’s still so much liquid it’s more like bean soup. Any suggestions?
Stacey says
Cooking them in a slow cooker doesn’t allow for much evaporation so they will certainly have more liquid. You can always ladle some out.
Sharon Barton says
I call them white limas and green limas – I grew up all over the south – Thanks for all the post – I enjoyed reading all – I did soak mine for a few hours today but probably never will again LOL- Usually add a ham hock but do not have one today so adding leftover frozen ham and jalapeño sausage link-should be ok!! Can’t wait!!!
Stacey says
Sounds great! Hope they turned out great for you!
Brandy Bell says
This is how I make them as well I use smoked turkey necks so delish. Do you have any idea how to cook them in pressure cooker /air fryer? It does both just change the lids. Thanks ahead of time…
Stacey says
Thanks, Brandy! Unfortunately I don’t have much pressure cooker experience, but I bet someone else does and might be able to jump on and answer that for you.
Brandi says
This is going to sound crazy but I promise it is very good! The ketchup comment reminded me of it lol. Sauté an onion with salt and pepper. Add a large can of diced tomatoes and half can of water. Let simmer a few minutes. Add one package of Ball Park franks (sliced in bite size circles) and leftover Lima beans. Cook until heated through. Completely changes it up! One of our favorites as kids to eat next day for lunch ????
Stacey says
I’d certainly give it a try! Thanks for sharing, Brandi!!
Brandi says
Oh forgot the rice! Add leftover rice when you add beans.
Kathy says
My Mom made these for dinner frequently and I loved them! But she added a tomato sauce near the end of cooking. Unfortunately her recipe passed with her. Once she said the tomato sauce was just tomato soup! Any ideas? I also think she added garlic…because she added garlic to everything!
Stacey says
I don’t have anything quite like that, but it sounds amazing! Were they sweet at all?
Yvonne Bates says
I like to cook and bake, but for butter beans I just purchase a can of Hanover’s Butter beans, add 1 tbls.. butter and 1 tbls. catsup….yum. I am a widow and do not want to cook up a whole pot of beans ! I have them with corn muffins and fruit for lunch .
Stacey says
I totally understand that! I can’t say I’ve ever tried Hanovers, but sounds like I should!
Hannah Esther Stephens says
Can this be done in a pressure cooker? If so do you know what the time adjustments would be?
Stacey says
I’ve not done that, but it should work. I would keep the measurements the same and cook them on high pressure for about 30 minutes followed by a 15 to 20 minute natural pressure release. Just be sure not to overfill your pressure cooker.
Heather says
My mother passed away a week ago and this was one of my favorite dishes she made. She used chopped ham steak and a little onion. Should I sauté those first or how would I add those in?
Stacey says
Yes, I think I’d sauté them to start, then add the water and ham hock. Enjoy!
Wanda says
I had a taste for Lime Beans, so I decided to try this recipe. This was my very first time cooking lime beans. I cooked the beans in a Crockpot on high, the beans and smoked turkey was cooked within 3 hours. In addition, I had to drain 4 cups of liquid from the finished dish. I was well pleased with the outcome. Next time I will reduce the water to 4.5 cups instead of 9. My family absolutely love it. I forgot to take a photo, we devoured the dish immediately.
Stacey says
So glad to hear y’all enjoyed them!
glasslass says
Love, Love Butter Beans but alas none in my family likes them. But I have a neighbor who’s also crazy about them. The only difference is that last year when I reached for the 2 pack ham hocks it was close to $8. WOW. So I’m standing there with another women who picks up a pkg of smoked neck bones, half the price, and said I started using these and while it takes more time to shred the flavor is great and much more meat that the hocks. So bought them and they were everything she said. Learned to cook the bones the day before, cool overnight and cook beans in the water from the meat and pick the bones the next day. Yep, more time consuming but so much meat I was blown away. That’s all I use now.
Stacey says
Thanks for the greta tips!
Abby says
Stacey, this is a question rather than a comment. My mother use to serve these beans with a jelly. I can taste it now as I type but cannot remember the type of jelly. Do you or any of your readers have any idea what jelly goes with this meal?
Stacey says
Hi Abby! I’ve heard of serving them with ketchup, but I’m not sure I’ve heard of jelly. Maybe someone else will chime in and help us out!
Tracey says
Beng from the Caribbean we love butter beans in our oxtails made similar to beef stew. I have dried and cans in my kitchen. If I make them southern style I use smoked Turkey legs, wings or necks for my meat so delicious. Thanks for sharing
YVETTE says
I have a question. Is there anything wrong when your butter beans split upon soaking or Cooking? This is the 1st time this has happened.
Stacey says
While they might not look as pretty, they’re perfectly fine. Sometimes that happens when the inside of the bean hydrates faster than the skin and they split. Some say soaking in salted water helps this, but I’ve not tested it, per se.