Lima Beans

Tender lima beans soak overnight and simmer slowly with aromatic shallots, thinly sliced garlic, fresh thyme, and bay leaf, resulting in a creamy, flavorful side dish that works with any meal.

Why You'll Love Lima Beans

This method turns simple lima beans into a deeply flavorful, comforting side that pairs with any protein. Slow-simmered with aromatics like shallots, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme, these beans soak up rich, savory notes while staying tender but not mushy.

Tips and Tricks

• Soak the lima beans overnight for even cooking and better texture.
• Simmer gently and check doneness regularly after the first hour to avoid overcooking.
• Use fresh herbs and thinly sliced garlic to build layers of delicate flavor.

Variations

Make this dish your own with simple tweaks to ingredients or cooking method.

• Add a splash of white wine or lemon juice near the end for brightness.
• Use smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne for subtle smoky heat.
• Swap thyme for rosemary or oregano for a different herb profile.

Substitutions

Easy swaps if you don't have certain ingredients on hand.

• Use dried butter beans or cannellini beans in place of lima beans.
• Shallots can be replaced with finely chopped yellow onion.
• Olive oil can be swapped for avocado oil or neutral vegetable oil.

Best Served With

• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Pan-seared pork chops
• Roasted root vegetables
• Simple green salad with vinaigrette

How to Store Leftovers

• Store cooked lima beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.

Common Questions

Lima Beans

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Tender lima beans soak overnight and simmer slowly with aromatic shallots, thinly sliced garlic, fresh thyme, and bay leaf, resulting in a creamy, flavorful side dish. This slow simmer turns simple beans into a hearty accompaniment.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Servings: 2

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Classic

Calories: 249

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• ½ cup Lima beans soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon Shallots finely chopped
• 1-2 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
• 1 Bay leaf
• 5-6 sprigs Thyme
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• Kosher salt to taste

Equipment

• Small frying pan
• Slotted spoon
• Medium saucepan or pot

Method

 

Sauté Aromatics

1. Heat olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add shallots and sauté until softened but not browned, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Simmer Beans

1. In a medium pot, bring 4-5 inches of water to a boil.
2. Add soaked lima beans, sautéed shallots, sliced garlic, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs.
3. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and season with kosher salt to taste.
4. Simmer uncovered for 1 to 3 hours, testing tenderness after 1 hour and every 15 minutes thereafter, until beans are tender but not mushy.

To Serve

1. Remove beans with a slotted spoon.
2. Plate alongside your favorite protein and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 554mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 244IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Storage: These keep well, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen them back up. They also freeze well for up to 2 months, just thaw and reheat the same way.

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