A Whole New Way to Enjoy Lima Beans

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/4/21
Lima beans in cream

Diana Rattray

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

If you're used to eating lima beans, either plain from the can or frozen from a bag, you probably never enjoyed creamed lima beans. These creamy, buttery lima beans can be made from canned or frozen beans, but offer a cream sauce that kicks them up a notch.

These creamed lima beans are an ideal side dish for any Southern food meal. Try them, and you may never want plain lima beans again.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces frozen baby lima beans

  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sugar, optional

  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

  •  1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Cook the lima beans in boiling salted water as directed on the package. If using canned lima beans, you will not need to add salt.

  2. Add sugar (if using) to the cooking water.

  3. Drain the beans well. At this point, the beans are still hot.

  4. Add the cream and butter to the hot beans. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired. 

  5. Serve beans warm. 

Recipe Variations

  • Bake the beans in the cream sauce to create a bean gratin. Add breadcrumbs and spray them with a little oil or dab on some butter to create a crispy crust on top of the beans.

More on Lima Beans

Also known as "butter beans," lima beans have a buttery-like texture and a delicate flavor that is unique. These oblong-shaped beans have a flat pod that typically is green but can come in other colors such as black, purple, or white. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
389 Calories
15g Fat
48g Carbs
16g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 389
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 9g 47%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Sodium 145mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 16g 56%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 83mg 6%
Iron 5mg 26%
Potassium 1092mg 23%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)