A simple recipe for deliciously creamy butter beans thats sure to satisfy. Serve over hot cooked rice and alongside your favorite cornbread or biscuits.
Lima beans, also known as butter beans, are a delicious and nutritious legume that can be a great addition to many dishes. However, like other dried beans, lima beans require adequate time to soak and cook before being eaten. So how long does it really take to prepare lima beans from start to finish?
In this complete guide we’ll walk through the entire process of cooking lima beans, from soaking to done. We’ll also provide tips to help get perfect tender lima beans every time. Whether you’re cooking a big pot of lima beans for a weeknight dinner or preparing them as part of a complex recipe, this guide will ensure your lima beans turn out just right.
Soaking Lima Beans
The first step when cooking dried lima beans is to soak them. This softens the outer skin and begins the hydration process, leading to more evenly cooked beans.
Most recipes call for soaking lima beans overnight, or for 8-12 hours. This extended soaking time allows the beans to become fully hydrated. Always soak lima beans in plenty of water, using at least 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried beans.
If you’re short on time you can do a quick soak instead. Bring the beans and soaking water to a boil, then remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking. While quick-soaking isn’t quite as effective as an overnight soak it can work in a pinch.
No matter which soaking method you use, always drain and rinse the lima beans with fresh water before cooking. This washes away any sulfur compounds that can cause digestive upset.
Cooking Time for Lima Beans
Once your lima beans are soaked, it’s time to cook them. Most soaked lima beans take 1-1 1/2 hours of cooking to become tender. However, exact cooking times can vary based on a few factors:
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Bean size – Smaller beans cook faster than larger beans. Baby lima beans may only take 45-60 minutes to become tender after soaking. Large lima beans often take closer to 1 1/2 hours.
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Water temperature – Cooking in boiling water slightly decreases cooking time compared to simmering water.
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Age of beans – Older, drier beans typically take longer to rehydrate and cook than fresher beans.
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Altitude – Beans cooked at high altitudes above 3000 feet may need slightly longer cooking times.
Because of these variables, it’s important to taste and check doneness periodically as lima beans cook. They are done when very soft and tender, without any trace of crunchy beans. The skins may split, and beans should be easily smashed between two fingers or a fork.
To cook, place soaked, drained lima beans in a pot and cover with 1-2 inches of fresh water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently until beans are tender. Make sure to stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed to keep beans submerged.
Seasoning and Flavoring Lima Beans
Plain cooked lima beans have a very mild, starchy flavor. Most recipes call for seasoning them with salt, pepper, and aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs. Bay leaves are a classic addition to lima beans and other legumes, lending mild flavor.
You can also use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water to infuse the beans with more flavor as they cook. Adding a smoked ham hock, bacon ends, or other smoked pork provides a delicious smoky undertone.
Once cooked, lima beans pair well with all kinds of seasonings beyond the basics. Think warm spices like cumin, chili powder, and curry powder. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil also taste great with lima beans. Toss the cooked beans with lemon juice and olive oil for a flavor pop. You can make them spicy with hot sauce or mellow with creamy cheese.
So be creative with seasoning to make your lima beans shine! Just make sure to adjust seasoning just before serving, as salt added too early in cooking can prevent beans from becoming tender.
Cooking Lima Beans in Recipes
When using lima beans in soups, stews, and other recipes, you’ll still need to cook them separately ahead of time. This ensures they reach the perfect tender texture.
The easiest method is to:
- Soak beans overnight
- Drain, rinse, and simmer in fresh water until tender (check doneness frequently)
- Drain and set aside
- In the last 10-15 minutes of cooking the recipe, add the pre-cooked lima beans to heat through and absorb flavors.
This prevents the beans from becoming mushy or overcooked if simmered for too long. Their texture remains intact while still infusing flavor from the surrounding recipe.
For recipes cooked in a slow cooker or instant pot, you can skip pre-cooking the beans. However, increase the recipe cooking time to ensure the beans have ample time to become fully tender. Quick-soaked or canned lima beans can also be used in longer-cooking recipes with no pre-cooking required.
Tips for Perfect Lima Beans
Follow these tips for tender, flavorful lima beans every time:
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Soak beans fully before cooking, and drain/rinse well.
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Simmer beans gently in ample liquid, stirring occasionally.
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Start tasting earlier than you think as beans can overcook quickly.
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For soup or stew recipes, pre-cook beans separately first before adding.
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Adjust seasonings at the very end to maximize flavor without inhibiting doneness.
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Add aromatics like garlic at the end to prevent bitterness.
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For creamier texture, finish cooking beans in broth rather than water.
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Allow beans to cool in their cooking liquid, which continues hydrating them.
Storing and Freezing Cooked Lima Beans
Like many legumes, lima beans keep well for 3-5 days stored in their cooking liquid in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze cooked lima beans for longer storage.
To freeze lima beans:
- Portion beans and liquid into freezer bags, allowing headspace for expansion.
- Seal bags, removing excess air. Flatten to freeze into thin layers.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before using in recipes.
Frozen beans won’t have quite the same tender texture as fresh, so work best in soups, stews, and other recipes where beans cook further.
Your Quick Reference for Cooking Lima Beans
Use this handy reference guide for easy lima bean perfection every time:
- Soak: 8-12 hours or quick soak 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1-1 1/2 hours
- Liquid: Water or broth to cover
- Seasoning: At end of cooking
- Tender When: Soft, skins may split
- Use in Recipes: Pre-cook separately
- Store: Up to 5 days refrigerated in cooking liquid
- Freeze: Up to 3 months
Now that you know all the ins and outs of preparing lima beans, you can start enjoying their versatility. Use this complete guide to help you cook up the perfect pot of lima beans anytime. Happy cooking!
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A simple recipe for deliciously creamy butter beans thats sure to satisfy. Serve over hot cooked rice and alongside your favorite cornbread or biscuits.
- 1 (1-pound) package Camellia Brand Large Lima Beans
- 5 slices bacon, roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 ham hock or ½ pound seasoning meat, optional
- 8-10 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Rinse and sort large lima beans.
- Cook bacon until it’s crispy in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- To the bacon grease in the pot, add the chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft.
- Set the beans on top of the ham hock or seasoning meat. Add enough broth or water to cover the beans.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for two to three hours, stirring every now and then until the beans are soft. Cover the beans while they’re cooking and add more water if needed.
- If using ham hock, remove from pot. If you want, you can chop or shred the ham and add it back to the beans after removing the skin, bones, and cartilage.
- Season to taste and serve hot.
Delicious Lima Bean Recipe You Need to Try
FAQ
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