Q&A for How to Prepare Lima Beans

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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.
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Question
    What do I do if my beans won't absorb water?
    Community Answer
    Cut one open, if water spills out then you are okay to eat them. If not, smell them. If they smell bad, they are out of date.
  • Question
    How do I cook lima beans without overnight soaking?
    Community Answer
    You could bring them to a boil in a pot of water then turn off the heat and leave them for an hour. This will give you an accelerated soak. Then you can cook them normally.
  • Question
    Should I drain the juice when the beans are cooked?
    Community Answer
    No. Just cook the juice down until its turns a little thick. The juice will add to and enhance the flavor of your beans.
  • Question
    What if you don't soak the Lima beans. Will they cook?
    Community Answer
    They'll cook, but the texture won't be pleasant.
  • Question
    Do I have to cook them right away after soaking or can it be a day later?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    You can leave dried lima beans soaking for up to 24 hours. It's best to cook them straight after they finish soaking.
  • Question
    What ingredients and how much do I add to cook lima beans?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    To cook lima beans, all you need is the lima beans (whether these are dried, frozen, or fresh), and water.
  • Question
    Why are the beans hard after cooking?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    The lima beans should be tender after they have cooked. Try cooking them for a bit longer, and keep an eye on them so that you know when they turn tender.
  • Question
    Is it safe to eat fresh Lima beans if they hand a sprout growing out?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    No, it's best to avoid eating sprouting lima beans as they can be difficult for your body to break down.
  • Question
    What can I do to get my baby lima beans soft? I soaked and cooked them per the instructions.
    Community Answer
    Make sure you soak the beans for a full 12 hours before you cook them.
  • Question
    How long do I cook lima beans after soaking them?
    Community Answer
    Around 35 minutes on low heat until the stock is thick and not watery.
  • Question
    Do I just put drained lima beans in a heated pan without any water?
    Community Answer
    No. You have to put enough water to cover by 2-3 inches (4 cups per pound of beans).
  • Question
    I soaked my beans for two days. Is that okay? My beans have a funny smell to them. Should I throw them away?
    Community Answer
    Did you soak them in the refrigerator? If not, they have started to ferment which will cause the odd smell. I would throw them away and start over.
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