Butter Beans
Classic Southern Butter Beans – This tried-and-true Butter Beans with Bacon Recipe makes tender, flavorful lima beans that are perfect to serve as a side with your favorite southern dishes.
Lima Beans vs Butter Beans: What is the Difference?
Nothing! That’s right, the butter beans vs lima beans mystery is that there is no mystery at all. In fact, there is absolutely no difference between lima and butter beans… Because they are the same bean.
Known as Lima Beans, Butter Beans, or Butterbeans, depending on where you are, these delicious and protein-rich legumes are simply lovely by any name. Not only are there several different names for butter beans, but there are also nearly endless ways that they can be prepared and incorporated into dishes. Sauteed, added to stews, included in salads – you butter believe lima beans are as versatile as they are tasty!
This classic Butter Beans with bacon recipe is made in the Southern-style with a simple vegetable trinity (that’s carrots, celery, and onion, y’all). These classic ingredients work together to make the beans perfectly silky with still a bit of bite, and so deeply flavorful.
The sweet earthiness from the beans, smoky bacon goodness, and luscious texture make this a fabulous side to compliment just about any savory main dish. I promise your dinner table will feel extra cozy and homey when you include a pot of homemade lima beans!
Lima Bean Recipe Ingredients
There are less than a dozen basic ingredients needed to make this lima beans recipe. All of them should be easy to source from your local grocery store, beans included. If you have a bulk section you might find them there, otherwise, they are likely found around other bagged dried beans.
You need:
- Dried butter beans – aka dried lima beans
- Thick-cut bacon – uncooked and diced
- Onions – diced
- Carrots – sliced
- Celery – sliced
- Garlic – minced
- Seasonings – dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaves
- Chicken base – or bouillon
Plus water to soak the beans, and more water to make the stock.
How to Make Butter Beans
First, soak the beans: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover them with cold water. Soak them for 12-24 hours.
Pro Tip: If you are in a hurry, most bags of beans have a “speed-soak” method listed on the package.
When the beans have soaked and you are ready to cook, set a large 6-8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until brown, about 3-5 minutes. Then add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Sauté for 5 minutes to soften the veggies.
Drain the beans and pour them into the pot.
Now add in the chicken base and water. Stir 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.
Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
Get the Complete Printable Butter Beans (Lima Beans Recipe) + Video Below. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Lima Beans
Tender, savory butter beans are a classic side dish to serve with comfort foods.
Really love pork? Enjoy bacon-tastic lime beans alongside Coca-Cola Baked Ham, Baked Ham with Honey Mustard & Apples, Grilled Pork Chops with Carolina Southern Sauce, or a platter of Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork.
They’re also delicious as a side with other Southern favorites, like Steak Fingers with Country Gravy, Nashville Hot Chicken, or Burnt Ends Brisket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! Just be sure to check your bouillon (or base) to make sure there’s no sneaky hidden gluten in there.
This is a super easy dish to adapt to strictly plant-based ingredients. Simply omit the bacon, add in a couple of tablespoons of plant-based butter, and use a vegetable base instead of chicken.
You can make this butterbeans recipe ahead of time! In fact, they tend to taste even more flavorful the next day. Let the beans cool completely after cooking, and keep them in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to reheat and serve.
Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well! Once they have cooled, transfer the lima beans to a sealed freezer-safe zipper bag or container, and keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let them defrost overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of water or stock to get them back to the right saucy consistency.
We like this simple cozy flavor combination. Yet feel free to mix things up with diced tomatoes, chopped kale, additional fresh herbs, a ham hock, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or nutmeg.
Looking for More Classic Side Dish Recipes?
- Perfect Southern Collard Greens
- Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe
- Best Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesy Southern Squash Casserole
- Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Sweet Corn by Taste of Home
Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, protein, cholesterol, and fiber percentages.
Butter Beans Recipe (Best Lima Beans)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried butter beans lima beans
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chicken base bouillon or vegetable base
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Soak the beans: Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 12-24 hours. If you are in a hurry, most bags of beans have a “speed-soak” method listed on the package.
- Set a large 6-8 quart sauce pot over medium heat. Add the bacon. Stir and brown for 3-5 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 pot. Add in the chicken base and water. Stir well.
- Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, until the butter beans are soft.
- Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
I used leftover lean brisket and the beans were amazing! I also had about a cup of leftover chicken broth from Thanksgiving that I replaced the “chicken base” with.
This is the most flavorful limabeans and ham recipe that I have ever tasted, even including my grandmother’s limas many years ago.
This is a good recipe, but I think the seasoning overwhelms that beans. I used 1/4 onion and 1/2 carrot (shredded), cut the seasoning in half, and it still overwhelmed. I think the choice complimentary herbs and vegies are great, but will further cut the seasoning to 1/4 of what the original recipe in order to let the beans be the intended star.