Hello fellow foodies! Are you craving something warm and delicious? Our EASY Creamy Butter Beans Recipe with Bacon and Garlic, is the best comfort food. Imagine creamy beans, crispy bacon, and garlic sizzling in your skillet, filling your kitchen with the aromas of the South. This side dish is perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, so grab your apron and get cooking!
Butter beans, also called lima beans, are famous for their creamy texture and how they soak up delicious flavors. This Southern recipe mixes the hearty butter beans with tasty bacon and fragrant garlic, all cooked in one pan for super easy cooking!
Why we love this recipe:
- Effortlessly quick: Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Nutrition packed: High in protein and fiber.
- Great for any occasion: Ideal for both casual family meals and entertaining guests.
- Economical: Made with affordable and accessible ingredients.
If you like this side dish recipe, you might also enjoy our Southern Smothered Potatoes Recipe or Southern Black-Eyed Peas.
Jump to:
- What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Instructions
- What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
- How Should You Store This?
- What Are Some Expert Tips?
- Tips for Using Fresh Butter Beans
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Related
- FAQ
- 📖 Recipe
- Important Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Frozen Butter Beans: These are the star of the show! Convenient and packed with nutrients - no soaking required.
- Bacon: This brings a smoky and salty depth.
- Onion: A half of a medium onion, diced up. Onions are the backbone of flavor in many dishes.
- Garlic Cloves: It's all about the garlic for adding that punchy, kick. If you're a garlic lover, don't hesitate to add more!
- Chicken Seasoning: This liquid gold brings all the flavors together while the beans cook. For a vegetarian twist, vegetable broth works beautifully too.
- Water: For simmering beans.
- Flour: Thickens the broth.
- Seasonings: No need for salt! Simple black pepper does wonders. If you're feeling adventurous, a pinch of smoked paprika.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
How To Make Easy Creamy Butter Beans Recipe with Bacon and Garlic
STEP ONE: Cook and Sauté
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon on medium heat until crispy, then set aside. Sauté diced onion and minced garlic in bacon grease (or olive oil if preferred) until fragrant.
STEP TWO: Simmer the Beans
To the same pot with the bacon grease, add frozen butter beans and water to the pot. Simmer until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
STEP THREE: Thicken the Sauce
Sprinkle flour over beans and mix well. Add unsalted butter and stir until melted and beans are coated.
STEP FOUR: Combine with Bacon
Return cooked bacon to the pot and stir to combine. Season with pepper to taste and serve hot.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- Bacon: Opt for turkey bacon to reduce fat. You can also use smoked ham hocks or leftover ham bone in place of bacon when slow cooking.
- Better than Chicken Bouillon: Substitute chicken broth in place of the water. Vegetable broth works well for a plant-based dish.
- Butter Beans: Cannellini beans, lima beans, or navy beans are good substitutes. A can of butter beans or dried beans can also be used if you adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic.
How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- Flavor: Add some brown sugar to sweeten.
- Spice: Add red chili flakes for a kick.
- Alternate Cooking Methods: Butter beans can be cooked in various ways, including boiling, steaming, sautéing, and baking. They can also be incorporated into slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for convenience.
- Vegetarian Diet: Leave out the bacon and add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. You could also extra veggies like carrots or bell peppers.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Cast iron skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
How Should You Store This?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months.
Reheat over medium heat, adding a little broth if needed to moisten.
Note: Refer to Top Tips below for more storage and reheating tips.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
Gentle simmering is key to perfect beans—avoid boiling vigorously.
For best results, add garlic towards the end of sautéing to prevent burning.
For crispy bacon, add it to the dish just before serving.
Reheat creamy butter beans with bacon and garlic in a microwave-safe dish for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Tips for Using Fresh Butter Beans
Preparing fresh butter beans ahead of time can save you valuable time:
- Buying and Storing: When purchasing butter beans, look for firm, plump beans with no signs of damage or discoloration. Store fresh butter beans in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze them for longer-term storage.
- Pre-Cook and Freeze: Cook a large batch of fresh butter beans according to your preferred method, then portion them into freezer-safe containers or bags. Label and date the containers before placing them in the freezer. This allows you to have cooked butter beans on hand whenever you need them.
- Shelled and Ready to Cook: Shell the fresh butter beans ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This saves you the time and effort of shelling them right before cooking.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Consider using any leftover bacon in these bacon and green beans.
- Add excess bacon to this loaded blue cheese wedge.
- Experiment with different beans like pinto or black beans.
Need Something To Pair This With?
- Serve butter beans with this skillet cornbread or crusty bread. You can also serve over rice for a fuller meal.
- Serve alongside this delicious southern potato salad.
- Try this delicious chicken fried steak with white gravy.
In The Mood For a Similar Dish?
Related
More Southern recipes you will love:
FAQ
Butter beans are a legume that can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, salads, and casseroles. These beans are named for their creamy texture and buttery flavor when cooked. They come in various sizes, including small and large varieties, and can be found fresh, frozen, or dried.
While small lima beans and butter beans are closely related, they are technically two different varieties. However, in the Southern United States, the term "butter beans" is often used interchangeably to refer to both small lima beans and larger lima beans.
Yes, butter beans are highly nutritious and offer a range of health benefits. They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including folate, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Incorporating butter beans into your diet supports heart health, aids digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
📖 Recipe
EASY Creamy Butter Beans Recipe (with Bacon and Garlic)
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb butter beans (baby lima beans) frozen
- 4 slices of bacon chopped
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½-1 cup water
- 2 tablspoons flour
- 1 teaspoon Better than Chicken Bouillon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, removing only half of the bacon grease in the pot.
- To the pot with the bacon grease, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for one more minute.
- Add the frozen butter beans to the pot with the onions and garlic. Pour in ½ to 1 cup of water to cover the beans. Add Better than Chicken Bouillon and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the flour evenly over the top of the beans in the pot. Mix the flour into the beans until well combined. Add pepper and unsalted butter to the pot and stir until the butter is melted and the beans are evenly coated.
- Once the beans are cooked and the sauce has thickened, return the cooked bacon to the pot. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve these delicious butter beans as a side dish, or a main dish with a side of cornbread.
Notes
- Bacon: Opt for turkey bacon to reduce fat. You can also use smoked ham hocks or leftover ham in place of bacon when slow cooking.
- Better than Chicken Bouillon: Substitute chicken broth in place of the water. Vegetable broth works well for a plant-based dish.
- Butter Beans: Cannellini, lima, or navy beans are good substitutes. A can of butter beans or dried beans can also be used if you adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic.
Nutrition
Try our Easy Butter Beans Recipe today for a quick, satisfying dish that’s sure to become a staple at your dinner table. Share your experience, post photos, or explore another butter bean recipe on our blog!
Important Food Safety Tips
Ensure bacon is thoroughly cooked to safe internal temperatures. Refrigerate any leftovers promptly to avoid spoilage.
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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