Southern Butter Beans Recipe

You will love this butter beans recipe

Like most Southern recipes, there are as many ways to cook butter beans as there are streets named Peachtree in Atlanta. However, a common denominator for most beans and greens is the addition of pork for flavor, either as fatback or bacon.

I learned how to cook butter beans from my grandmother, and her butter beans recipe is pretty simple: put water in a pot, add bacon, season with salt and pepper, add a little garlic powder, bring to a boil, and add the beans. Throw in some butter toward the end.

Sugar is the magic ingredient! Granny would add a little sugar to the water, not enough to make the beans too sweet, but just enough to taste and add a little more flavor.

You won’t find a meat-and-three in the South that doesn’t have butter beans on the menu because this vegetable is a favorite around here, especially in rural areas.

Thank you for your recipe! I followed it exact and it is awesome. Add a side of fresh corn, a slice of tomato, a fried chicken leg or two and you have the ultimate meal.

Dena

Butter beans recipe ingredients

The ingredients for this Southern butter beans recipe are all common pantry or fridge staples, so you should be able to cook butter beans anytime!

• Frozen or fresh butter beans or baby lima beans – I do like to get the baby version because they are smaller and more tender. Generally, if you buy fresh butter beans, you’ll get smaller ones.
• Butter – use a little unsalted butter.
• Bacon – you can substitute fatback here or even a ham hock.
• Salt and black pepper – don’t skimp on the flavoring.
• Chicken stock or water – I usually just use water, but if you want a more intense flavor, you can use chicken or vegetable stock.
• Garlic powder – no need to chop garlic or onion for this recipe. A little garlic powder is all you need.
• Sugar – this is the magic ingredient that takes these butter beans from okay to delicious!

How to cook butter beans

1. Start by adding water or chicken stock, salt, pepper, bacon, butter, sugar, and garlic powder to a large saucepan. I use Kirkland brand cookware from Costco, but this pot by Cuisinart would work well, as would this one from Calphalon.
2. Bring the water and seasonings to a boil and cook for a minute or two until the seasonings have dissolved.
3. Then add the butter beans and return to a boil, then turn down to simmer.
4. I like butter beans to be very tender, so I cook them for about an hour. Cooking time will vary if depending on whether you’re using fresh or frozen beans. Fresh beans will cook a little faster.

**Cook’s Tip: Taste the butter beans while they are cooking so you can add additional seasonings if necessary.

Butter beans tips

• If you don’t want to use bacon, you could substitute plant-based bacon or toss in some mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
• You can make butter beans ahead of time. This recipe will keep in the refrigerator for several days.

Butter beans variations

1. Use fresh butter beans if they are in season. If not, frozen will work just fine.
2. Look for frozen baby lima beans or butter beans. They are the same bean and interchangeable in this recipe.
3. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and don’t forget to add a little sugar. Taste frequently.
4. Cook the butter beans until they are tender.
5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How to serve this Southern butter beans recipe

This butter beans recipe is delicious with chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, or even as a portion of a vegetable plate with sliced tomatoes and fried okra.

Butter beans storage

Butter beans should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The beans will be good for 3-4 days.

How to cook butter beans FAQs

Butter beans vs. lima beans

Are they butter beans or lima beans? Guess what? They are one and the same. What most Southerners refer to as butter beans (or butterbeans) are actually just younger, smaller versions of lima beans. So, you can buy baby lima beans or butter beans, and they are the same. They can be cooked fresh or frozen, and either will work in this butter bean recipe.

Then there are dried butter beans, which are larger and lighter in color, almost tan—still lima beans, just an older, more mature version. Those never appealed to me, but my family eats them year-round. Most people slow-cook dried butter beans for a few hours, either on the stove or in a slow cooker.

Do butter beans need to be soaked before cooking?

If you’re cooking dried butter beans (which is not this recipe), you’ll need to soak them before cooking. This recipe calls for fresh or frozen butter beans and does not require soaking.

Are butter beans healthy?

Butter beans are healthy and nutritious legumes that can fit within almost any dietary preference or restriction. They’re full of vitamins and minerals and also provide a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as protein.