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    Soulfully Made » Sides » Southern Style Baby Lima Beans

    Southern Style Baby Lima Beans

    Nikki Lee Published:November 4, 2018 | Updated: August 17, 2021

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!

    Southern Style Baby Lima Beans are cooked low and slow with bacon and seasoned to perfection. This country delicacy is melt in your mouth deliciousness!

    A white serving bowl filled with these southern-style baby lima beans

    There is an age-old debate over whether they are Lima Beans or Butter Beans! Technically they are the same bean... But in my neck of the woods, a lima is green, young, tender, and sweet!

    A butter bean, however, is the larger, older, and dried version (now this is an opinion y'all)! Both are slap your momma good! And they both are paired wonderfully with some good old buttered cornbread.

    These beans can be found fresh in the summertime and you are so lucky if you get your hands on them! For the most part, you find them in your freezer section. Frozen, fresh, young, and tender green limas can be enjoyed year-round! Thank the good LORD above! We love them at my house.

    What about you?  Do you love them too or have you never had them yet?? If you never have made them, now is the perfect time to give them a try! Either way, I think you will love this recipe!

    What you need to make Lima Beans

    • Bacon
    • Chicken Broth or Water and Bouillon
    • Garlic
    • Onion Powder
    • Sugar
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
    • Fresh Frozen Baby Lima Beans
    A ceramic cooking pot filled with these southern-style baby lime beans

    How to make Southern Lima Beans

    Step 1.   It starts with some glorious bacon. Yep, you gotta have bacon to make this delish! I like to cut pieces of bacon with my kitchen scissors. Let them cook up a few minutes to render that delicious fat in the bottom of the pan. Now, if you don't like the pieces of bacon in the beans, just cook the slices whole and then pull them out after they cook.

    Step 2.   Add the broth, baby limas, minced garlic, onion powder, sugar, black pepper, and red pepper (if you like a kick).  Bring to a boil, then cover with a vented lid (that just means don't cover completely, leave a little opening), and then reduce to simmer. My stove is about a medium-low. Each one cooks differently, so you know your settings best.

    a closeup of these southern-style baby lime beans with the seasonings

    Step 3.   Cook for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally. Then give it a taste and add the salt to taste. If it needs more liquid, add a little water or more broth now. They don't have to be completely covered or drowning, but you want enough liquid in there so that they stay moist and don't burn.

    A close up of these southern-style baby lime beans

    Step 4.   Then cook another 30 minutes until nice and tender.

    Now it is time to enjoy these beauties!!

    A ceramic cooking pot filled with these southern-style baby lime beans and a serving spoon with some ready for a bite

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    Please Pin - Southern Style Baby Lima Beans - and Save for Later

    A ceramic cooking pot filled with these southern-style baby lime beans

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    A white serving bowl filled with these southern-style baby lima beans

    Southern Style Baby Lima Beans

    Author: Nikki Lee
    4.87 from 79 votes
    Southern Style Baby Lima Beans are cooked low and slow with bacon and seasoned to perfection. This country delicacy is melt in your mouth deliciousness!
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Sides
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 100 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 slices bacon, sliced
    • 1 ½ cups chicken broth or stock
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅛ to ¼ red pepper flakes, (optional)
    • 16 ounces frozen baby lima beans
    • salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, slightly saute bacon about 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer.
    • Cook for 30 minutes, stirring periodically. If needed add water. You do not need a lot of liquid, but you don't want them to burn. So add if necessary. Season with salt if desired.
    • Cook for another 30 minutes until buttery tender and enjoy.

    ✱ Nikki's Tips

    If you prefer to not have the bacon pieces in the beans, you can cook the slices in them whole and remove to serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 1 serving Calories: 100 kcal Carbohydrates: 16 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 2 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Sodium: 347 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 2 g

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    1. Lizette says

      January 31, 2023 at 4:03 pm

      What if I only have fresh dry Lima beans? Do I soak them first?

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        February 01, 2023 at 7:35 am

        If using dried limas you can soak them overnight in water or cover with water and bring them to a boil. Then reduce to a low boil for about 20 minutes. Drain the water and proceed with recipe. You may need to cook them for 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on how soft you want them.

        Reply
    2. Kathy says

      September 20, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic! My 4 year old loved them!!

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        September 21, 2022 at 1:38 pm

        Thank you, Kathy! That is awesome!

        Reply
    3. Cindy says

      August 28, 2022 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      These Lima beans were delicious. I will definitely make them again.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        August 30, 2022 at 9:35 am

        Thank you so much, Cindy! I am glad you loved them and will be enjoying them again and again!

        Reply
    4. Debbie says

      December 31, 2021 at 7:47 am

      Best limas we have ever eat! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        January 01, 2022 at 9:11 am

        Thank you so much, Debbie! I am so glad you love them as much as we do! Happy New Year!

        Reply
    5. Rose says

      November 12, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      My boyfriend, who never has liked lima beans, LOVED them in this recipe! That should be the highest rating this recipe could get. By the way, I didn't have bacon handy so I used about 1/2 cup of chopped ham.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        November 15, 2021 at 9:47 am

        Now that is the best compliment ever! Ham is also awesome in limas! Great substitution! Thanks so much for sharing.

        Reply
    6. Carl says

      October 12, 2021 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of those basic simple recipes that consistently produce great taste. I do use chicken broth instead of water and also reduce the salt since the broth already has some.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        October 24, 2021 at 9:38 am

        Thank you, Carl! Yes, the recipe calls for chicken broth and that does add tons of flavor! Using less salt or low sodium broth are both great was to reduce sodium intake if desired.

        Reply
    7. Jewel says

      August 27, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      I used this recipe but with a bag of the dried larger lima beans. So I soaked the beans for 8 hours and cooked them in my slow cooker first, then added the ingredients listed but also added a teaspoon of Italian seasoning. I kept the bacon separate and crumbled and sprinkled them on the beans before eating. This is the first time I can say I love lima beans. I'll being making them pretty regularly from now on. I did have two family members who refused to try them sadly. Their lose.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        August 29, 2021 at 7:46 am

        Thank you, Jewel! I am glad you have a newfound love of limas. I also enjoy them dried as well! Both are so delicious! Maybe you can convert those family members too!

        Reply
    8. Lee Carlson says

      August 25, 2021 at 5:39 pm

      4 stars
      You know, many people who think they hate lima beans will totally change their minds if the skins on each bean are removed before serving (my husband is one of these people!). There are two ways of doing this, both are a bit fiddly, but really worth it. Either let the frozen beans thaw a little, then make a slit in the skin at the top with the thumbnail and pop out the bean; or - once they are cooked do the same. I usually use the first method, the cooked beans are HOT! For fresh beans (in UK called broad beans) blanch them and then remove skins before final cooking. Please try this, it makes all the difference in the world.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        August 29, 2021 at 7:44 am

        Thanks for sharing! Great information!

        Reply
    9. Debbie L Purvis says

      March 07, 2021 at 4:49 pm

      My husband has always referred to these as butter beans. I had to Google it before I finally quit arguing with him. This is a great butter bean recipe, he said.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        April 14, 2021 at 7:29 am

        Thank you so much! Right, who can keep it straight! They really are butter beans or lima beans interchangeably. I always called the larger dried limas butter beans, either way, they are both delicious.

        Reply
    10. Deb Clark says

      July 17, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      5 stars
      Five Stars!! This is such a great side dish, the bacon is the perfect salty touch!!

      Reply
    11. paige says

      July 12, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Just like my Mom used to make! Outstanding flavor in this recipe!

      Reply
    12. Kathleen says

      July 10, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      I have never been a lima bean lover, BUT, I was asked to bring a southern dish to a potluck and brought these and everyone went ga-ga! This recipe might just make a lover out of me!

      Reply
    13. Michaela says

      July 10, 2020 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is hands down the best Lima bean recipe I have ever made! I’ll never make another!

      Reply
    14. Lynn Spencer says

      April 30, 2020 at 8:09 am

      I came to Lima Bean appreciation late in life...and always looking for great recipes. Thanks friend!

      Reply
    15. Donna L. Bridges says

      March 22, 2020 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loved these. We've been married 21 years and this was the first time I've cooked baby lima beans for him. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        March 25, 2020 at 1:13 pm

        Thank you so much Donna! That makes my heart glad to hear! Limas are one of my husband's favorites and I am glad to hear now yours as well! After 21 years you finally talked him into trying them - YAY!

        Reply
    16. daryl flederbach says

      February 25, 2020 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      Just like Texas road green beans, excellent !!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        February 27, 2020 at 2:35 am

        Thank you Daryl! I have not tried TRH green beans. I am going to have to order them next time!

        Reply
    17. Kathleen A Harrington says

      February 19, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      My BF is a southerner and I wanted to make him some limas. I like them too but Cracker Barrel is the only place I've had them. Well... that southern boy said they almost tasted like his mama's. Win Win for me.

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        February 20, 2020 at 12:28 pm

        Best compliment ever! Thank you so much!

        Reply
        • Bernetta says

          March 14, 2020 at 12:01 am

          How do u pressure cook them to put in canning jar

        • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

          March 16, 2020 at 2:17 pm

          Here is a great resource for how to pressure can them. https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/uga/using_press_canners.html

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    Welcome Y'all!

    Hi, I am Nikki. Faith, family, and food are my passions! I'm a Southern cook from Florida who loves sharing food and creating memories around the table with my family and friends. Welcome to my Kitchen where you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes!

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