How to Prepare Lima Beans

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Lima beans are also known as butter beans. They are a member of the kidney bean family, originating in Lima, Peru. When cooked, these beans have a soft texture that blends well into creamy style dishes, and their delicate flavour makes them a perfect addition to many soups, salads, and casseroles. Lima beans are sold dried, frozen, canned, or fresh, and they must always be cooked before eating.

Ingredients

Cooking Dried Lima Beans

  • 1 cup (225 g) of lima beans
  • 3 cups (750 mL) of water
  • 1 cup (225 g) of lima beans (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 cups (500 mL) of vegetable stock (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 sliced carrots (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 chopped onions (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 tbsp (7.6 g) of minced parsley (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • Ground black pepper, to taste (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 tbsp (16 g) of whole-wheat flour (for the lima beans stew recipe)
  • 2 cups (500 mL) of soy milk (for the lima beans stew recipe)

Makes 6 servings.

Using Frozen Lima Beans

  • 3 tbsp (30 g) of lima beans
  • ⅓ cup (79 mL) of water
  • ½ (75 g) of finely chopped onion (for the lima beans in chicken broth recipe)
  • 1 ½ cups (375 g) of chicken broth (for the lima beans in chicken broth recipe)
  • 16 ounces (450 g) of frozen lima beans (for the lima beans in chicken broth recipe)

Makes 6 servings.

Cooking Canned Lima Beans

  • 1 can of lima beans
  • 2 slices of uncooked bacon (for the Southern lima beans recipe)
  • 1 cup (250 mL) of water (for the Southern lima beans recipe)
  • 2 cans of lima beans (for the Southern lima beans recipe)
  • Salt, to taste (for the Southern lima beans recipe)
  • Hot sauce, to taste (for the Southern lima beans recipe)

Makes 4 servings

Working with Fresh Lima Beans

  • 1 lb (450 g) of fresh lima beans
  • 2 cups (500 mL) of water
  • 1 lb (450 g) of fresh lima beans (for the lima beans with black pepper and butter recipe)
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) of salt (for the lima beans with black pepper and butter recipe)
  • 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter (for the lima beans with black pepper and butter recipe)
  • Ground black pepper, to taste (for the lima beans with black pepper and butter recipe)

Makes 4 servings.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Cooking Dried Lima Beans

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  1. Purchase lima beans either from a bulk bin or in a prepackaged container. Check that the bulk bin is fully covered or that the prepackaged container is intact to ensure that the beans are safe from moisture and insects.
    • Store dried lima beans in an airtight container. Place the container in a cool, dark place where the temperature is below 75 °F (24 °C). [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Check for any damaged beans, debris, or small stones. Remove and then discard the damaged beans, stones, or debris if you find any.
    • Using a dark colored plate or tray won’t be effective as damaged beans and debris won’t stand out.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Place the lima beans in a strainer. Thoroughly wash the beans with the water.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Place the lima beans in a bowl of water, using a ratio of 1 cup (225 g) of beans to every 2 cups (500 mL) of water. Leave the bowl of lima beans and water in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
    • After 8 hours, drain the water from the beans and rinse them again with fresh water.
    • Soaking the lima beans is necessary because it helps to remove some of the sugars, which makes the beans easier to digest. [2]
    • The beans need to be soaked in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature because otherwise they will begin to ferment.
    EXPERT TIP

    Sasha Reyes

    Executive Chef
    Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management.
    Sasha Reyes
    Executive Chef

    Toss lima beans with pasta or rice. Brighten up pasta or rice dishes by stirring in cooked lima beans. Their natural, earthy sweetness and smooth texture stand out against the starchiness of the grains. The combination also makes limas more enjoyable.

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Bring the water to a boil, and then simmer the beans for 45 minutes in a saucepan. Skim off any excess foam while the lima beans simmer to prevent it from bubbling over.
    • After 45 minutes, the beans will be tender.
    • Don’t add any salt or seasoning during this time as this will make the lima beans tough. You can add seasoning either after the beans have simmered, or when you add them to a dish.
    • Once the lima beans have finished simmering, they are ready to enjoy! You can add them to dishes now.
  6. Place 1 cup (225 g) of cooked, previously dried lima beans, 2 cups (500 mL) of vegetable stock, 2 sliced carrots, 2 chopped onions, 2 tbsp (7.6 g) of minced parsley, and ground black pepper to taste into a large saucepan. Simmer the stew for 1 hour. Mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of whole-wheat flour and 2 cups (500 mL) of soy milk, and stir this through the stew to thicken it. [3]
    • Although the stew will take approximately 1 hour to cook, check the beans from time to time to see when they turn very soft. This is when the stew will be ready to serve.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Working with Fresh Lima Beans

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  1. Choose lima beans that are dark green, glossy, and firm. Avoid lima beans that have signs of decay, mold, or blemishes.
    • Fresh lima beans can also be found at some specialty grocery stores.
    • Fresh lima beans are hard to find, as they are most commonly sold in the dried form.
    • Store fresh lima beans in the refrigerator crisper for up to 2-3 days.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Use your hands to twist open the pod, and pop out the beans. You can also split the pod open lengthwise, and push the lima beans out. [5]
    • Place the freshly shelled beans into a bowl as you shell them.
    • Discard any lima bean pods that have mildew or mold on them.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Run cool water through the beans in a strainer. Rinse the beans for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Add 2 cups (500 mL) of water and ½ tsp (2.5 g) of salt into a medium saucepan with the beans. Simmer the beans over a medium heat for 1 hour. Drain away the water from the beans, and then add the lima beans to your favorite dish. [6]
    • When the lima beans are tender, this means that they are ready.
    • Cooked lima beans are often mixed with equal parts of rice to serve.
    • Alternatively you can enjoy the lima beans with 2 tbsp (28.4 g) of butter and a sprinkling of ground black pepper mixed in. [7]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Frozen Lima Beans

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  1. Shake the bag of frozen lima beans. Make sure that the lima beans move freely around the bag, as this indicates that they have been frozen properly.
    • Avoid buying frozen lima beans that feel clumped together, as this means that they have been thawed and refrozen.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Place frozen lima beans into a hot dish that you are cooking, such as chili or beans and rice, to thaw and cook the beans. There is normally no need to thaw them separately beforehand. [8]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Place ⅓ cup (79 mL) of water to every 3 tbsp (30 g) of lima beans in a microwave safe dish. Cover the dish, and cook the beans on high for 8 minutes. [9]
    • This is useful if you are cooking the beans alone and not as a part of a hot dish.
    • Drain the beans once they are cooked, and then season them to taste.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Saute ½ (75 g) of a finely chopped onion in a nonstick frying pan until it’s soft. Add 1 ½ cups (375 mL) of chicken broth to the pan, and bring it to the boil. Place 16 ounces (450 g) of frozen lima beans into the pan, bring the liquid to a boil, and then reduce it to a simmer, and cook the beans for 30 minutes. [10]
    • Any leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. [11]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Cooking Canned Lima Beans

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  1. Commercially canned lima beans are popular, and can be found in most grocery stores. Choose a can that is intact and isn't badly dented or bulging. [12]
  2. Open the can of lima beans. Pour the lima beans into the strainer, and rinse them thoroughly under cool, running water. [13]
    • Only use canned lima beans that have been freshly opened.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Lima Beans
    Place 1 can of drained and rinsed lima beans into a saucepan. Heat the beans on a medium temperature setting for 10 minutes. [14]
    • Once the lima beans have been heated, you can add seasoning such as salt or ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Dice 2 slices of uncooked bacon into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) pieces. Fry the bacon in a nonstick frying pan over a medium heat until it's browned, and add 1 cup (250 mL) of water to the pan. Add 2 cans of drained and rinsed lima beans, and simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes. [15]
    • After simmering for 10 minutes, season the dish with salt and hot sauce to taste before serving.
    • You can store this dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Are there any other ways to use lima beans?
    Sasha Reyes
    Executive Chef
    Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management.
    Sasha Reyes
    Executive Chef
    Expert Answer
    Consider incorporating lima beans into your pasta dishes for a delightful culinary experience. Their inherent rich flavor truly shines when paired with pasta, making it a highly enjoyable way to savor lima beans.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    I soaked my Lima beans overnight, but the skin did not open. What went wrong?
    Community Answer
    Nothing went wrong. Sometimes they split and other times they don't. Your dish will actually turn out nicer if they don't split.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question
    Why did the skin come off of my lima beans after I soaked them?
    Community Answer
    The skin is more absorbant than the rest of the bean. When you soaked them, the water saturated the skin more than the bean which caused it to peel off. It may not look pretty, but it should taste fine.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • If the lima beans are in a package or container that is bulging, rusting, severely dented, or leaking, these may not be safe to eat. Discard the lima beans, and purchase more.
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        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Check that the lima beans aren’t spoilt before you use them. If you see any signs of mold, or they develop and off odour or appearance, then it’s best to discard them. [17]
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      Things You'll Need

      Cooking Dried Lima Beans

      • Light colored plate or tray
      • Strainer
      • Bowl
      • Saucepan
      • Airtight container

      Using Frozen Lima Beans

      • Microwave safe dish
      • Nonstick frying pan

      Cooking Canned Lima Beans

      • Can opener
      • Strainer
      • Saucepan
      • Nonstick frying pan

      Working with Fresh Lima Beans

      • Strainer
      • Saucepan

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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Sasha Reyes .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/proteins/beans-peas/beans-shelf-life-expiration-date/
      2. ↑ https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/09/you-dont-have-to-soak-dried-beans-overnight/
      3. ↑ https://www.bluezones.com/recipe/lima-bean-stew/
      4. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/proteins/beans-peas/beans-shelf-life-expiration-date/
      5. ↑ https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129855166
      6. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/how-to-prepare-fresh-lima-beans
      7. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/baby-lima-beans-butterbeans-recipe-2116626
      8. ↑ https://www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-cook-dried-beans-and-freeze-them-for-later/
      9. ↑ https://extension.purdue.edu/foodlink/food.php?food=lima%20bean
      1. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/46990/easy-lima-beans/
      2. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/proteins/beans-peas/beans-shelf-life-expiration-date/
      3. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17565
      4. ↑ https://theliveinkitchen.com/easy-canned-butter-beans/
      5. ↑ https://extension.purdue.edu/foodlink/food.php?food=lima%20bean
      6. ↑ https://wearychef.com/recipe/simple-southern-lima-beans/
      7. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/proteins/beans-peas/beans-shelf-life-expiration-date/
      8. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/17564

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To prepare lima beans, soak them in water for at least 8 hours before cooking with them if they're dried. If you're using fresh lima beans, simply pop the beans out of the pods and rinse them with water before using them. For frozen lima beans, you can add them directly to hot dishes without thawing them beforehand. To prepare canned lima beans, just drain them in a strainer before cooking them. To learn how to make different lima-bean recipes, keep reading!

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