This Southern Butter Beans Recipe is packed with smoky bacon, tender lima beans, and a rich, savory broth, making it the ultimate comfort food. Slowly simmered until creamy, these beans soak up all the delicious flavors of garlic, onion, and smoky seasonings.
Pair these creamy butter beans with Low and Slow Oven Baked Ribs and a Cucumber and Onion Salad or a side of Skillet Cornbread to soak up every last drop of the flavorful broth.
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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!
If you love slow-simmered beans, try our Instant Pot Ham and Beans Recipe for a quicker, equally comforting dish.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Flavorful & Satisfying: Smoky bacon, tender beans, and rich seasonings create an irresistible taste. Want more smoky, bacon-infused sides? You’ll love these Bacon and Green Beans or classic Baked Beans with Ground Beef for your next cookout.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for weeknight dinners or serving guests.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with simple, affordable ingredients you likely have on hand.
Southern Butter Bean Ingredients
- 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. Got extra bacon? Use it in a Loaded Blue Cheese Wedge for a crispy, smoky crunch in every bite!
- 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.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- 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 or vegetable broth in place of the water.
- Butter Beans: Cannellini beans, lima beans, or navy beans are good substitutes.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic.
How To Make Creamy Southern Butter Beans with Bacon
STEP 1: Cook the Bacon
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 2: Saute the Onions and Garlic
Sauté diced onion and minced garlic in bacon grease (or olive oil if preferred) until fragrant.
STEP 3: 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.
Sprinkle flour over beans and mix well. Add unsalted butter and stir until melted and beans are coated.
STEP 4: Combine with Bacon
Return cooked bacon to the pot and stir to combine. Season with pepper to taste and serve hot.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Gently simmer—avoid boiling vigorously.
✔️ DO Add garlic towards the end of sautéing to prevent burning.
✔️ DO Add bacon to the dish just before serving to maintain crispiness.
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.
Storage
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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📖 Recipe
Southern Butter Beans Recipe
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- 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.
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