Classic Southern Butter Beans – This proven buttered beans with bacon recipe makes tender and flavorful lima beans that are perfect to accompany your favorite southern dishes.
Lima Beans vs. Butter Beans: What’s the Difference?
Nothing! That’s right, the mystery of butter beans vs. lima beans is that there is no mystery at all. In fact, there is absolutely no difference between lima beans and butter beans… because they are the same bean.
Known as lima beans, butter beans, or butter beans, depending on where you are, these delicious, high protein legumes are simply adorable by any name. Not only are there several different names for butter beans, but there are also almost endless ways to prepare them and incorporate them into dishes. Stir-fried, added to stews, included in salads – you Butter believe lima beans are as versatile as they are tasty!
This classic Bacon Baked Beans Recipe is made in the Southern style with a simple vegetable trinity (ie carrots, celery and onion, all of you). These classic ingredients work together to make the beans perfectly silky with a little extra bite, and so deeply tasty.
The earthy sweetness of the beans, the goodness of the smoked bacon, and the luscious texture make this a fabulous side to complement just about any savory main course. I promise your table will feel very comfortable and intimate when you include a jar of homemade lima beans!
Ingredients you need
There are less than a dozen basic ingredients needed to make this lima bean recipe. All should be easy to find in your local grocery store, beans included. If you have a loose section, you might find them there, if not, they’re probably around other dry bagged beans.
You need:
- Dried butter beans – aka lima beans
- Thick sliced bacon – uncooked and diced
- Onions – diced
- Carrots – sliced
- Celery – sliced
- Garlic – chopped
- Seasonings – dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaves
- Chicken base – or broth
More water to soak the beans, and more water to make the broth.
How to make southern butter beans
First, soak the beans: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak them for 12 to 24 hours.
Pro tip: If you’re in a rush, most bean bags have a “quick soak” method listed on the package.
When the beans are soaked and you are ready to cook, place a large 6 to 8 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. Sauté for 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
Drain the beans and pour them into the saucepan.
Now add the chicken base and the water. Mix well.
PS – You can use chicken or vegetable broth instead, but the chicken base gives the beans a more robust flavor.
Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, until the butter beans with bacon are soft and silky.
Get the Complete (Printable) Southern Butter Beans (Lima Beans) Recipe below. Enjoy!
Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.
What to serve with southern lima beans
Tender and flavorful butter beans are a classic accompaniment to serve with comfort foods.
Do you really like pork? Enjoy bacon-tastic Green beans served with Coca-Cola baked ham, baked ham with honey mustard and apples, grilled pork chops with Carolina Southern sauce or a platter of slow cooker smoked pulled pork.
They’re also delicious as an accompaniment to other Southern favorites, like steak sticks with country sauce, hot Nashville chicken, or burnt beef brisket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yeah! Just be sure to check your broth (or base) to make sure there isn’t any sneaky hidden gluten in there.
It is a super easy dish to adapt to strictly vegetable ingredients. Simply omit the bacon, add a few tablespoons of vegetable butter, and use a vegetable base in place of the chicken.
Absolutely, you can make these southern butter beans ahead of time! In fact, they tend to taste even more flavorful the next day. Let the beans cool completely after cooking and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and serve.
Store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze very well! Once they have cooled, transfer the lima beans to a sealed, freezer-resistant zipper bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let them thaw overnight before reheating them on the stovetop or in the microwave. You may need to add a little water or broth to get them back to the right gravy consistency.
Looking for more classic side dish recipes?
Southern Butter Bean Recipe (Best Lima Beans)
Classic Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe for the tenderest and tastiest lima beans, perfect to accompany your favorite southern dishes!
Servings: 12 portions
- 1 grind dry butter beans Lima beans
- 4 slices thick sliced bacon diced
- 1 big onion diced
- 1 Cup Sliced carrots
- 1 Cup Sliced celery
- 4 cloves Garlic chopped
- 2 coffee spoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 soup spoons chicken base broth or vegetable base
- 4 cups the water
Soak the beans: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 12-24 hours. If you’re in a rush, most bean bags have a “quick soak” method listed on the package.
Place a large 6 to 8 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon. Stir and brown for 3 to 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 pan. Add the chicken base and water. Mix well.
Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, until the buttered beans are tender.
Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. They also freeze very well! Once they have cooled, transfer the lima beans to a sealed, freezer-resistant bag or zipper container, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let them thaw overnight before reheating them on the stovetop or in the microwave. You may need to add a little water or broth to get them back to the right soup consistency.
Portion: 0.5Cup, Calories: 191kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: teng, Fat: 5g, Saturated fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated fats: 1g, Monounsaturated fats: 2g, Trans fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 304mg, Potassium: 753mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1832UI, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 49mg, The iron: 3mg
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