How to Cook Lima Beans: 5 Dishes to Make With Lima Beans

Lima beans are a popular type of white bean from the Phaseolus lunatus plant. They are named after the capital city (Lima) of their origin country Peru, and are a common side-dish in Southern American cuisine. Lima beans are also known alternatively as butter beans for their buttery, rich flavor, and starchy texture.

These nutritious, warm-season legumes are a good source of protein, iron, potassium, carbohydrates, and cholesterol-lowering dietary fiber. However, it is important to note that lima beans must never be consumed raw. Always thoroughly cook your beans before including them in any dish. Luckily, these white beans soak up the flavor of almost any dish after they’ve been prepared properly.

Similar to other legumes—like chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans—lima beans soak up the flavor of the ingredients they’re cooked with. When cooking with lima beans, you can use fresh or frozen lima beans in a pressure cooker, saute them in a pan, or leave them in a slow cooker with meat and other veggies. Here are a few dishes you can cook with lima beans.

1. 1. Southern lima beans: Southern lima beans is a popular southern side dish featuring lima beans. Stew and stir lima beans in a pot with some chicken broth or olive oil until you develop a somewhat creamy texture. Add some garlic, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper as you stir occasionally. You can add ham hocks, sausage, or pieces of bacon to give it a smoky flavor. Cook until the beans are almost fork-tender, taking care not to overcook them into mush.
2. 2. Creamed beans: Lima beans can be softened and pureéd to make rich, creamed lima beans. In a pot, cook baby lima beans with butter and heavy cream over medium heat on your stovetop until the texture becomes creamy and the beans are tender.
3. 3. Lima bean soup: Lima bean soup is a mild and hearty soup for any cold day. Add frozen lima beans to a large pot with chicken broth, veggies, and spices and stew together into a soup. You can add cream to thicken the base, or include a ham bone for a meatier, smoky flavor.
4. 4. Lima bean dip: Similar to hummus or guacamole, you can cook lima beans, let them cool, and then mash them into a dippable paste for vegetables or pita chips. Mix with diced tomatoes, oregano, and lime juice for a tangy, herby flavor.
5. 5. Lima bean salad: You can add lima beans to any salad for some texture and protein. Place your beans in a pot with enough water and bring it to just about boiling, then simmer for an hour. Season with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder then let chill in the fridge for a hearty addition to your greens.

Lima beans should never be eaten raw, and they must be prepared properly. Here is how to prepare dried lima beans for cooking.

1. 1. Choose your beans. You can cook with frozen, fresh, or dried lima beans. Frozen lima beans are usually pre-cooked and don’t require any soaking or initial preparation. However, dried lima beans will need to be prepared.
2. 2. Soak your beans. Thoroughly wash and drain your beans before preparing them. If you bought them dry and in bulk, make sure there are no pieces of debris in the mix. Soak them in water for 24 hours.
3. 3. Boil your beans. The next day, drain your beans, and simmer them in fresh water for an hour. After this, you are ready to prepare your beans however you like.
4. 4. Cook your beans. Now that your beans are prepped, you can sauté them, stew them, or rinse and cool them to use in a salad. If you decide to boil or stew your beans, keep an eye on your beans once they’ve started to cook.. The more you stir them, the more likely they are to fall apart.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.