How to Make Southern Butter Beans - A Step-by-Step Guide

Southern butter beans, also known as baby lima beans, are a beloved staple of southern cuisine. These creamy and tender beans are a true comfort food, often served as a side dish or as the main star of a meal. With their rich, buttery flavor and hearty texture, they make for a satisfying and delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Traditional southern butter bean recipes often involve slow-cooking the beans with savory and aromatic ingredients to create a mouthwatering dish t...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package dried lima beans
  • 5 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup butter
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Additional Time: 8 hrs
  • Total Time: 9 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Place lima beans in a large pot. Cover with water and soak overnight. Drain and return lima beans to the pot; cover beans with fresh water.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir bacon in the hot skillet until crisp, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 2 teaspoons bacon drippings.
  • Add bacon and reserved bacon drippings to lima beans in the pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans are just tender, 40 to 60 minutes. Stir heavy cream and butter into bean mixture and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Nutrition

    425 cal.

    • Total Fat: 25g
    • Saturated Fat: 15g
    • Cholesterol: 78mg
    • Sodium: 236mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 36g
    • Dietary Fiber: 11g
    • Total Sugars: 5g
    • Protein: 15g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 69mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 1024mg