Best Really Delicious Lima Beans Recipes

SOUTHERN LIMA BEANS WITH HAM

Steps:

• Rinse and sort the beans. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.
• Add the rinsed beans, ham hock, bay leaf, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat slightly just so that it's at a low boil, and cook for 20 minutes. Reduce heat again just so that the liquid is simmering. Cover and cook for about 1 ½ hours, or until beans are tender. Check the beans after 1 hour, because they may be soft enough at that point if you like your beans a bit more firm. If you prefer the beans really soft and broken down, you may prefer to extend the cooking time to 2 hours. While the beans are cooking, check to occasionally make sure that the beans are covered with water (adding more water, if necessary). Discard bay leaf, remove ham hock from the pot, and shred or chop the meat. Return chopped meat to the pot with the beans. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Garnish individual servings with hot sauce and herbs; serve with cornbread.

SKILLET LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until crispy, about 15 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet to paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Crumble the bacon once cooled.
• Add the butter to the drippings in the skillet and heat until melted. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the lima beans and garlic. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook until the lima beans are tender and the broth has evaporated, about 25 minutes.
• Add the bell pepper, tomatoes and crumbled bacon, adding more butter if needed. Saute until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

TOMATO-BASIL LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Toast 3 sliced garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a large skillet with olive oil. Add salt, then stir in a 10-ounce box of thawed frozen lima beans; cook about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat; add halved cherry tomatoes, sliced basil and a splash of white wine vinegar. Drizzle with olive oil and top with shaved parmesan cheese.
• Photograph By Antonis Achilleos

SWEET FRESH LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Bring about 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Heat a medium stockpot over medium-low heat and add the oil. Saute the onions in the oil, gradually adding 1 cup of the boiling water and stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the lima beans and cook until beginning to soften, 10 minutes more. Add the sugar, some salt and red pepper flakes and the remaining boiling water. Partially cover the pan and cook until the lima beans are tender, about 40 minutes. Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash one-third of the tender beans and combine to make creamy. Serve warm.

REALLY DELICIOUS LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat the bacon over moderate heat. When partially rendered, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the onions, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until really tender. Add the garlic, tomato, tomato puree, and hot chili pepper and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the lima beans, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until they have had a chance to absorb the flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with grilled Italian sausages or breakfast sausages.

LIMA BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the lima beans and garlic and simmer until tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool slightly (the beans should be warm but not hot).
• Pulse the lima beans, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a food processor until just combined. With the motor running, pour in the olive oil and process until incorporated but still slightly chunky. Transfer to a bowl and top with the bacon. Serve warm or at room temperature with pita chips and/or vegetable sticks.
• Buy lima beans frozen: They're bright green and buttery tasting. The olive-colored, mushy lima beans you remember from childhood were probably canned.

ROASTED LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans and water in a large saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the beans are just soft, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat. Drain the beans and cool under running water. Drain thoroughly and spread on paper towels to dry.
• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F. Toss beans with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt, lime juice and cayenne. Spread beans out on a baking sheet and place in oven. Roast until beans begin to brown slightly. Serve warm or room temperature.

LIMA BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• For the salad: Combine the lima beans, broth and bacon in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lima beans are tender and cooked through, adding the corn during the last 2 minutes of cooking, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and discard the bacon and drain the beans and corn. Set aside to come to room temperature.
• Make the vinaigrette: Sprinkle the garlic with about 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use the flat side of a chef's knife to press down on the garlic and drag it across the cutting board. Keep mincing, pressing and dragging the garlic until it forms a paste. Place the garlic paste in a large bowl. Add the vinegar, honey and celery seeds. Gradually whisk in the oil until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the lima beans and corn, tomatoes, peppers and onions and toss until combined. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve at room temperature.

EASY LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, and spray with cooking spray. Saute onions until soft and translucent. Pour in chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Add lima beans, and enough water just to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until beans are tender.