Lima beans are a great option for quick soaking beans. Theyre a large and relatively soft bean that retains moisture fairly quickly. Because they were done so much faster than I thought they would, I slightly overcooked them! I used this batch for Avocado Dip with White Beans. So, its entirely fine that they were a tad overdone. That’s not what I would do if I wanted them to keep some of their crunch when I ate them in a salad or another dish. Although this works just fine for when youre blending them into a dip. Because they are big and soft, lima beans are a great alternative to chickpeas when you want something a little easier to work with. As much as I love chickpeas, they are so hard to work with that I hate them. In my defense, a properly cooked chickpea takes 14 hours from start to finish. If you still want to make your own beans? Lima beans are my personal go-to.
My cat was particularly fascinated with the lima beans. Im not entirely sure why that is. Its likely just because I was paying attention to them. Especially since she just sniffed them, instead of actually wanting to eat them. But cats can eat cooked beans. Don’t give them raw beans or beans that have been seasoned with garlic, salt, or other things they can’t handle!
Lima beans, also known as butter beans are a delicious and nutritious legume that can be a great addition to many dishes. However lima beans require proper preparation, as raw lima beans contain cyanide and must be fully cooked before eating. One of the most common questions when cooking lima beans is, how long do you need to cook them to get them perfectly tender?
The cooking time for lima beans can vary quite a bit depending on the age and size of the beans Older, larger lima beans generally take longer to become tender than fresher, smaller beans. However, most varieties of lima beans need to cook for 40-90 minutes to become perfectly tender
Here is a more detailed overview of cooking times for dry lima beans:
- Small, fresh lima beans – 40-50 minutes
- Medium lima beans – 50-60 minutes
- Large lima beans – 60-90 minutes
- Older beans – 60-90 minutes
The best way to ensure your lima beans turn out perfectly cooked is to taste them periodically as they simmer. But to give you a general timeframe, here is a step-by-step guide to cooking dry lima beans with approximate cooking times:
Step 1: Sort and Rinse the Beans
- Spread the dry lima beans out on a plate or baking sheet and inspect for any dirt, debris, or damaged beans. Discard any beans that look bad.
- Place the sorted beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water.
Step 2: Soak the Beans
- Place the rinsed beans in a large pot and cover with 3-4 inches of cold water.
- Allow beans to soak for 8 hours or overnight. The beans will double in size as they absorb water.
Step 3: Drain and Rinse Beans
- Drain the soaked beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Cook the Beans
- Place the soaked, rinsed beans back into the cooking pot and cover with fresh water by 1-2 inches.
- Bring the beans to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer the beans, uncovered, for 40-90 minutes, depending on size and age.
- Stir the beans occasionally to prevent sticking on the bottom.
- Add more boiling water if needed to keep beans submerged.
Step 5: Test Doneness
- Begin testing beans for doneness after 40 minutes.
- Scoop out a bean and squeeze it between your fingers. It should mash easily when done.
- Taste a bean. It should be tender throughout.
- Smaller, fresher beans may be done at 40-50 minutes.
- Older and larger beans may need 60-90 minutes.
Step 6: Season and Serve
Once the lima beans are tender, they are ready to use in recipes. Season them with herbs, spices, oil or sauce and enjoy their creamy, buttery goodness!
Some extra tips for ensuring perfectly cooked lima beans:
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Avoid adding salt or acidic ingredients like tomato or vinegar until beans are fully cooked, as this can prevent beans from softening properly.
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Make sure beans are completely submerged during cooking. Adding more hot water if needed.
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Beans foam up quite a bit during cooking. Using a large pot allows room for the foam without boiling over.
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Natural pressure release after cooking helps beans finish absorbing liquid. Let beans sit for 5-10 minutes off heat before serving.
With a little trial and error, you will get a feel for exactly how long your beans take to cook perfectly. Just keep testing doneness every 10-15 minutes after they have simmered for 40-50 minutes. Soon you will become a pro at cooking tender, creamy lima beans every time!
Quick Soak Lima Beans
- Large Pot w/ Lid
- Stovetop
- 1 lbs. lima beans (~2 cups)
- 8 c. water
- 6 c. water
- Put 8 cups of water in a pot and add white beans. Bring, uncovered, to a boil.
- When the water starts to boil, put the lid on top and take it off the heat. Let sit for an hour.
- After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse.
- Put the beans back in the pot and add six more cups of water on top of them.
- Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 1½-2 hours, or until tender. As they cook down, you might need to change the heat to keep them from boiling. They shouldn’t get soft and lose their shape. Putting a fork through them, on the other hand, might split them in half.
- Drain the beans immediately after cooking. Serve or refrigerate.
Variations of Lima Beans
I make plenty of quick soak beans. I really think you should soak them overnight if you don’t need them to be completely soft, like with hummus. For, a quicker version, though, quick soak white beans are ideal.
What to do with dried butter beans- The very basics
FAQ
Do lima beans have to be soaked before cooking?
How long to cook dried lima beans without soaking?
How do you know when lima beans are fully cooked?
How long do you cook dried beans for?
How do you cook dried lima beans?
**Cooking method**: There are several methods you can use to cook dried lima beans: – Stovetop method: Place the drained and rinsed beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by about 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 1 to 2 hours until the beans are tender.
Are lima beans good for low carb diet?
One cup of cooked lima beans contains only 40 grams of total carbohydrate. Whether this amount is appropriate for an individual depends on the amount of carbohydrates allowed on the low carb diet being followed. Lima beans are rich in fiber and protein as well as plenty of minerals and vitamins. Individuals who do not consume beans and other plant foods regularly may initially notice an increase in bloating and gas. Digestive symptoms tend to decrease over a short period of time with regular consumption. Start by eating smaller amounts of lima beans and increase the amount incrementally.
How long to cook lima beans?
Reduce the heat to low once the beans have boiled. Cook lima beans by simmering them for 40 to 60 minutes or until tender. During the simmering process, stir the beans regularly to avoid sticking. Remove from heat once the beans are cooked completely. The beans are completely cooked once they can be mashed easily with a fork or your fingers.
How do you cook canned lima beans?
Be sure to stir occasionally and add more water if needed. Canned lima beans can be heated on the stovetop in a small boiler for a few minutes until hot. To add additional flavor to canned beans, stir in garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper and then heat until hot.