Southern Butter Beans Recipe (Lima Beans)

Whether you call them lima beans or butter beans, this easy and flavorful recipe is sure to become a family favorite. With just a few simple pantry staples, you can whip up a delicious side dish that’s both comforting and satisfying. These rich and Southern Butter Beans pair perfectly with a variety of main dishes – whether served alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or a simple pan of cornbread, this recipe is bound to be a hit with the whole family!

Butter Beans

Growing up, there were almost always two or three garden vegetables on the table at supper time. Green beans, butter beans, collard greens, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes…you get the idea.

Butter beans were always one of my favorite beans and a Southern favorite in general. We (in my family) most often ate them with a spoon of mayonnaise on top (yes, mayo) and some cornbread on the side. Comfort food at its finest.

This easy butter beans recipe is the kind of side dish that never goes out of style. These butter beans are simmered in chicken broth with simple seasonings until they’re soft, buttery, and full of flavor. They make the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners, Sunday lunch, or any Southern meal.

What Are Butter Beans?

If you’ve ever wondered “what are butter beans?” or “are butter beans and lima beans the same thing?” – the answer is yes! In most parts of the country, large lima beans are often called butter beans because of their soft texture and buttery taste. Around the South, especially in Southern cooking, the term butter beans is much more common for .

This one-pot recipe uses frozen butter beans, making them quick and easy to cook without soaking dried beans overnight. 

While dried butter beans, dried lima beans, and even fresh butter beans are all delicious, frozen lima beans are among my favorites because they cook up tender and creamy in less time.

Butter Beans vs Lima Beans

Technically, butter beans are simply large lima beans that have a rich, creamy texture after cooking. Growing up, we called the smaller, green beans “lima beans,” and the larger, speckled, gray, or cream-colored beans “butter beans.”

Depending on your neck of the woods, you may hear them called:

• Baby lima beans = smaller and greener
• Lima beans = larger green beans with a buttery texture
• Large butter beans = often pale gray or white and very creamy
• Speckled butter beans = heirloom varieties with brown or purple speckles

So are butter beans and lima beans the same thing? Yes – they’re the same bean at a different stage of development, or called different names depending on the region.

Baby butter beans (or baby lima beans) are smaller and more tender, while large butter beans have a meatier texture and a buttery flavor that’s perfect for Southern butter bean recipes.

Now… when it comes to other kinds of beans, many people also ask:

• Are cannellini beans the same as butter beans? No. Cannellini beans are white kidney beans with a different texture and flavor.
• Are great northern beans the same as butter beans? Also no. Great Northern beans are smaller and less creamy.
• What’s a substitute for butter beans? Great northern beans, cannellini beans, or even navy beans can work in some recipes, but they won’t have the same creamy butter bean texture and, quite frankly, are just not the same as Southern Lima Beans (or Southern Butter Beans).

Why You’ll Love This Butter Bean Recipe

• Easy recipe with simple pantry staples
• Uses frozen butter beans (instead of dry beans) for faster cooking time
• Rich, creamy beans with a buttery taste
• Perfect side dish or light bowl meal
• Great with ham hock, leftover ham, or bacon
• Easy to double for a larger crowd
• Stores beautifully for leftovers

Want even fancier butter beans? Check out this recipe for Marry Me Butter Beans… so, so good!!

Ingredients for Butter Beans

These are all very common ingredients and easy to find in any grocery store.

• Chicken broth
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Frozen lima beans
• Butter
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

There’s no right or wrong way to season butter beans, so if you want to change things up, here are some other optional additions:

• Ham bone or ham hock
• Leftover ham
• Bacon Pieces or just bacon grease
• Minced garlic
• Bay leaf
• Cajun seasoning
• Chili flakes
• Green onions
• A drizzle of olive oil
• Lemon juice or lemon zest for brightness

Tools Needed

• Medium or large pot
• Big spoon
• Colander
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup

How to Cook Butter Beans

These seasoned butter beans are incredibly simple to make.

1. Pour the chicken broth into a medium-sized pot. Add the onion powder and garlic powder, then stir in the frozen butter beans.
2. Bring the beans to a gentle boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium heat or medium-low heat. Place the lid on the pot, leaving a small steam escape if needed.
4. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring gently occasionally so the creamy beans don’t break apart.
5. If the liquid gets low during cooking, add enough water or additional chicken broth to keep the beans covered.

6. Drain the butter beans and return them to the pot.
7. Stir in the butter, sugar, salt, and black pepper until melted and combined.

8. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes or chili flakes just before serving.

Tips for the Best Southern Butter Beans

• Frozen butter beans should stay covered with liquid while cooking.
• Stir gently because buttery lima beans become very soft as they cook.
• Add a ham hock or a ham hock bone for even more Southern flavor.
• Baby butter beans need less cooking time than large limas.
• For extra richness, drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.
• This recipe is easily doubled for a larger crowd (or leftovers!).

Variations

Add Meat

Chunks of leftover ham, bacon, or a ham bone turn this side dish into more of a main dish or cheap dinner.

Make It Spicy

Add cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, or extra red pepper flakes for heat.

Add Fresh Flavor

Top with green onions, lemon zest, or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Use Dried Beans

If you want to use dry lima beans or dried butter beans instead of frozen butter beans, you’ll need extra cooking time and several cups of water. Dried lima beans should be soaked before cooking.

Try Canned Butter Beans

Canned butter beans can work in a pinch, but the texture will be softer, and they’ll need much less cooking time.

Storage Instructions

• Store leftover butter beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• To freeze, place cooled beans in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheat in the microwave or warm gently in a pot over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if needed.

What to Serve with Butter Beans

These creamy butter beans pair perfectly with:

• Cornbread
• Fried chicken
• Pork chops
• Brunswick Stew
• Green beans
• Red Beans and Rice
• Roasted vegetables