Southern Butter Beans
A classic Southern comfort dish featuring rich, buttery beans and smoky ham for a memorable meal that will nourish both body and soul!
Ingredients
- 1 pound large dried lima beans , soaked overnight then rinsed and drained (optional but helps with digestion)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
- 1 medium yellow onion , diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 cups diced smoked ham
- 1 smoked ham hock , or 2 meaty smoked neck bones
- 8 cups quality chicken broth (I use and love Aneto Broth)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat one tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat and saute the onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients (it's a myth that you shouldn't add salt to cooking beans, it in fact improves the texture). Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours uncovered, adding more broth or water if needed, until the beans are tender and thickened. Discard the bay leaves.Transfer the smoked ham hock to a plate, remove and shred the meat, then return the meat to the beans. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and add salt and pepper to taste. See blog post for serving recommendations.
- Slow Cooker Butter Beans: Saute the onions and garlic and transfer them with all remaining ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours or until the beans are tender. Stir in the butter and add salt and pepper to taste.Instant Pot Butter Beans: Saute the onions and garlic and add all remaining ingredients. Set to HIGH for 20 minutes followed by a natural release. Stir in the butter and add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 27gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 884mgPotassium: 887mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 398IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 4mg
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