Country Lima Beans
Experience the comforting flavors of the South with this Country Lima Beans recipe, a hearty and wholesome dish that’s perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight meal. Featuring tender, creamy dried lima beans simmered with a smoky ham hock, aromatic onion, and hints of garlic and bay leaf, this recipe delivers rich, down-home flavor in every bite. Easy to prepare with simple pantry staples, this dish is elevated with the option to add a touch of olive oil or butter for extra richness and fresh parsley for a burst of color. Serve these savory country-style lima beans as a satisfying side or pair them with buttery cornbread for an irresistible main course. Whether you’re seeking soul-warming comfort food or a classic Southern side dish, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried large lima beans
- 8 cups water
- 1 piece smoked ham hock
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 piece bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the dried lima beans under cold water and check for any debris or damaged beans.
In a large bowl, soak the beans in enough water to cover them by about 2 inches. Let them soak for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the soaked lima beans, 8 cups of water, and the smoked ham hock. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and skim off any foam that forms on the surface. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf.
Cover the pot partially with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the lima beans are tender and creamy. Add more water if necessary to keep the beans submerged.
Once the beans are tender, remove the ham hock from the pot. If desired, shred any meat from the hock and return it to the pot, discarding the bone and any excess fat.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If you prefer a richer flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter.
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Serve hot as a side dish or pair with cornbread for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
444 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.4 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.0 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 53 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 1147 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.9 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.8 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.4 g | ||
| Protein | 30.7 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 111 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 6.9 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 1564 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
