How to Make Delicious Southern-Style Butter Beans

Butter beans are a delicious legume that is popular in Southern cooking. Also known as lima beans, these creamy white beans have a delicate, nutty flavor when prepared properly. If you want to make authentic butter beans at home, follow these simple steps

What Are Butter Beans?

Butter beans go by several names, including lima beans, Madagascar beans, and sieva beans. They are a variety of Phaseolus lunatus beans native to Central and South America. When fresh, the beans are pale green and turn white when dried.

Characteristics:

Oval, flat shape similar to a kidney bean
Starchy, powdery texture
Subtle nutty, buttery taste

Butter beans shine when braised low and slow to coax out their signature creamy flavor. Here’s how to make tender, savory butter beans from scratch.

Ingredients Needed

To make butter beans, you’ll need:

1 pound fresh or frozen butter beans
3-4 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
Chicken or vegetable stock
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Granulated sugar
Optional seasonings: thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne

Getting high-quality fresh or frozen beans is key for the best flavor. Avoid old, dried beans for this recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect homemade butter beans:

Prep the Beans

For fresh beans: Shell the beans by snapping off the tip and squeezing out the inner bean.
For frozen: No prep needed.
Sort through and rinse the beans. Discard any blemished ones.

Cook the Aromatics

Add the bacon to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until crisp, about 5 minutes.
Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the bacon drippings. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Simmer the Beans

Add the butter beans, chicken stock, butter, sugar, and seasonings to taste.
Bring to a gentle boil then reduce heat. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, until beans are very tender.
The beans should be soft and creamy but still hold their shape.

Finish and Serve

Turn off heat and stir in the reserved bacon pieces.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the butter beans warm as a side dish. They pair perfectly with fried chicken, pork chops, or fish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently before serving.

With a few pantry staples, you can recreate the classic Southern flavor of tender, subtly sweet butter beans. The secrets are low, slow cooking and quality ingredients.

What’s the Difference Between Butter Beans and Lima Beans?

Butter beans and lima beans refer to the same legume. Butter bean is the common name used in the American South. Elsewhere, they are typically called lima beans. There is no actual difference between the two in terms of taste or texture when prepared the same way.

More Delicious Ways to Cook Butter Beans:

Beyond basic simmered beans, there are many tasty ways to prepare these underrated legumes:

Butter bean salad – Mix cooked butter beans with chopped veggies, fresh herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette. Chill before serving.
Butter bean soup – Puree cooked butter beans with veggies and stock for a creamy, comforting soup.
Butter bean dip – Blend cooked beans with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. Serve with crackers or veggies.
Butter bean burgers – Mash beans and mix with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices to make great veggie burger patties.
Butter bean casserole – Create a hearty bake by layering beans, vegetables, cheese and crunchy topping.

With their mild flavor and smooth texture, butter beans work well in both savory and sweet dishes. Let your imagination run wild with these nutritious legumes.

Tips for the Best Homemade Butter Beans

Follow these helpful tips for full-flavored, tender butter beans every time:

Choose fresh or frozen; avoid dried beans. The texture will be inferior.
Don’t rush the simmering process. The beans need time to become tender.
Add a touch of sugar to balance the earthy bean flavor.
Mix in rich ingredients like bacon fat or butter for extra flavor.
Underseasoning is common. Add salt, pepper and herbs to taste.
Store leftovers promptly and reheat gently to avoid spoilage.

With minimal time and effort, you can enjoy Pottery veins style creamy, savory butter beans using pantry staples. Impress family and friends with an iconic Southern side made from scratch.

how do you make butter beans

Delicious Lima Bean Recipe You Need to Try

FAQ

What kind of beans are used for butter beans?

You’ll see them labeled in different ways in the store, after all: frozen lima beans, canned butter beans, dried large limas—or is it dried large butter beans? Turns out, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing. Both terms refer to the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

Do butter beans need to be soaked before cooking?

Canned or frozen butter beans don’t require any soaking or initial preparation beyond a quick rinse or thaw, but dried beans require a few extra steps. Soak the beans overnight (optional): If you choose to soak your beans to save cooking time, thoroughly wash, drain, and pick over beans for any debris.

What is the difference between butter beans and lima beans?

Other than what they’re called and sometimes their color, butter beans and lima beans are exactly the same. Their species is called Phaseolus lunatus and the difference in their name is only a matter of geography. In the American South and the United Kingdom, they’re butter beans.

Are butter beans healthy?

Butter Beans are a fantastically healthy ingredient – they’re high in protein and fibre, and they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates. Low in fat and calories but high in folate, starch and iron, they’re one of the best store cupboard ingredients there is.

How do you cook butter beans?

I learned how to cook butter beans from my grandmother, and her butter beans recipe is pretty simple: put water in a pot, add bacon, season with salt and pepper, add a little garlic powder, bring to a boil, and add the beans. Throw in some butter toward the end. Sugar is the magic ingredient!

What is the best way to eat beans?

The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.

How do you make butter beans from scratch?

Tender and creamy old fashioned butter beans are a classic Southern comfort dish served as the main attraction or side dish. Beans from scratch starting with large lima beans. Sort and rinse the beans. Beans do not need to be soaked. Place the beans into a large saucepan with enough water to cover the beans by an inch or two.

What are butter beans?

And in case you were wondering, butter beans are simply large lima beans – the largest bean in the white bean family. We call them butter beans down South because they become so creamy and buttery once cooked (just you wait and see).