Southern Butter Beans

Southern Butter Beans Recipe (Best Lima Beans)

Classic Butter Beans with bacon recipe for the most tender, flavorful lima beans that are perfect to serve as a side with your favorite southern dishes.

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, or less
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons chicken basebouillon or vegetable base
4 cups water

 Directions

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.

Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon, add in a couple of tablespoons of butter, and use a vegetable base instead of chicken.

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 soupy consistency.