Food and Recipes Beans Creamy Lima Beans Be the first to rate & review! A bowl of creamy lima beans are a Southern favorite any time of the year. By Jessica Hanners Jessica Hanners Jessica has over two decades experience in the Hospitality industry. She has since completed her Bachelor's in Hospitality Management from the University of Alabama and gained her Culinary Arts degree from Johnson and Wales University. She has worked in restaurants all over the country including Charlotte, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Portland Oregon. She was the Executive Chef of the Souper Jenny Restaurant Group in Atlanta, Georgia, for nearly a decade. Most recently, she has brought her passion for food back to her home in Alabama with Homecoming Cafe and Country store specializing in eclectic Southern cuisine, as well as Homecoming Sideshow, a food truck featuring seasonally inspired takes on classic Americana with international flare. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on November 30, 2022 Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 8 My dad loves lima beans. I think most Southern dads do. Limas cooked all day with the ham hock from Easter are always expected in the spring, but also a post-Thanksgiving delight. This creamy lima beans recipe is a new spin on that classic Southern dish—simple and easy with a little smokey bacon, some thyme, and a touch of cream. (For extra creaminess, consider adding a spoonful of mayonnaise.) It will have your holiday guests or weekend company thinking you worked in the kitchen all day. Learn how to make creamy lima beans. Served with warm cornbread, it will be your new go-to lima bean recipe. Butter Beans Vs. Lima Beans: Is There A Difference? What Do Creamy Lima Beans Taste Like? When simmered until tender, lima beans have a velvety texture, buttery flavor, and a mild sweetness. They soak up flavors easily, and when paired with ingredients like onion, chicken stock, fresh thyme, and heavy cream, as they are in this recipe, their savory, earthy flavor shines through. Smoked bacon adds a salty contrast that takes this satisfying dish to the next level. Ingredients for Creamy Lima Beans With bacon, onion, chicken stock, thyme, and cream to add richness and flavor to these lima beans, there's no denying that this is total comfort food. To make creamy lima beans, you'll need: Olive oil: To sauté the bacon and onion.Smoked bacon: Adds a rich, smoky flavor and hint of saltiness to the dish.Yellow onion: For depth of flavor and a mild sweetness.Frozen lima beans, thawed: The star of the dish, providing a velvety texture and buttery flavor.Low-sodium chicken stock: A savory cooking liquid for the beans, adding depth to the dish.Fresh thyme: An aromatic, floral addition.Heavy cream: Adds richness to the dish.Kosher salt and black pepper: Enhances the overall flavor. How To Make Creamy Lima Beans This filling dish comes together in under 30 minutes, and can provide up to eight servings, depending on whether you serve it as a hearty side dish or a substantial main course. Step 1. Cook the bacon and onions: To make creamy lima beans, bacon is cooked until beginning to brown, then onions are added and cooked until translucent.Step 2. Cook beans: Beans, stock, and thyme go in, and the dish is brought to a boil, then set to simmer until the beans are tender.Step 3. Season and serve: Before serving, cream, salt, and pepper are added for a final touch. Creamy Lima Beans Variations To change up this creamy lima bean dish, consider these ingredient additions or substitutions: Meat: Substitute the bacon with turkey bacon, pancetta, diced ham, smoked sausage, turkey, or sauteed mushrooms for a vegetarian option. Stock: Substitute the low-sodium chicken stock with homemade stock, or vegetable stock if keeping the dish vegetarian. Herbs: If you don't have thyme on hand, add an herbaceous touch with parsley or basil instead. Add a bay leaf while cooking for a subtle aromatic addition. Flavorings: Amp up the flavor of the dish with minced garlic, a sprinkle of lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan cheese. Tips for the Creamiest Lima Beans For the creamiest, most delicious lima beans, keep these tips in mind: High-quality beans: Use high-quality fresh or frozen lima beans for the best texture and flavor.Simmer, don't boil: Simmer the beans slowly until tender to allow them to soften gradually and release their starches.Add enough liquid: Make sure to add enough liquid so that the beans have something to soak up as they cook.Season generously: Taste the beans and season generously to enhance their natural flavor.Rest before serving: Give the dish a few minutes to settle before serving, giving the flavors time to meld and the sauce the chance to thicken slightly. How To Store and Reheat Leftover Creamy Lima Beans Cool and store leftover lima beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, or freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot throughout. Add a splash of water, broth, or cream while reheating to adjust the consistency, if needed, and season again to taste before serving. What To Serve With Creamy Lima Beans This creamy dish can be served as a filling side dish or main course, depending on the occasion and the crowd. If serving as a side dish, pair with grilled or roasted meats, fried chicken, pork chops, seafood, and of course, cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread for mopping up every last drop of sauce. You can also pair with veggie sides, including cooked greens, or roasted or steamed vegetables. More Comforting Southern Side Dish Recipes You'll Love Warm and comforting, these Southern side dishes offer a taste of home with every bite: Homemade Baked Beans Southern-Style Potato Salad Fried Green Tomatoes Southern-Style Collard Greens Creamy Fried Confetti Corn Old-School Squash Casserole Hush Puppies Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Ingredients 1 tsp. olive oil 2 pieces smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-in. chunks 1 medium yellow onion, diced 2 (16-oz.) bags frozen lima beans, thawed 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper Directions Cook bacon and onions: In a medium saucepan, heat oil on medium heat. Add bacon, and cook until the bacon is beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add beans: Add lima beans, chicken stock, and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until beans are tender. Season: Add cream, salt, and pepper, and serve. Frequently Asked Questions Do lima beans need to be soaked before cooking? If using dried lima beans, they'll need to be soaked for at least 8 hours to help reduce the cooking time. With frozen, thawed lima beans, there's no need to soak them ahead. Are butterbeans and lima beans the same? While there may be some difference in size or taste depending on the region, butterbeans and lima beans are terms used interchangeably to describe the same type of bean. Can creamy lima beans be made vegetarian? For a vegetarian version of the dish, leave out the bacon or swap with a plant-based option, and swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock or broth. Rate It Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Follow us Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more