Homespun dishes like this are reminiscent of simpler days and family gatherings around the kitchen table. My mind just naturally wants to wander towards nostalgic memories with every savory melt-in-your-mouth bite. This Southern Butter Beans recipe features rich, buttery beans and smoky ham for a classic Southern comfort dish that will nourish both your body and soul!
I’m a German-Brit turned Southern girl since moving to Virginia a few years ago. And being the food history geek that I am, I delve into local food culture wherever I go. I want to feel it in my bones, not just taste it on my lips. I’ve explored the Deep South, traveling from Virginia through the Carolinas down to Georgia and Alabama and through Mississippi and Louisiana and back up through Memphis Tennessee, sampling every traditional Southern dish I could find. Everything from Shrimp and Grits and Jambalaya to Boiled Peanuts, muscadines (which we now grow in our orchard!), and far too many desserts. This Southern Butter Beans recipe represents everything that is so good and so genuine about Southern cuisine. It is the ultimate Southern comfort dish, so warm and buttery and inviting, and I just love it!
What Are Butter Beans?
Butter beans are a type of bean known for their creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. They’re also called lima beans but butter beans specifically are a much larger and even creamier variety. Butter beans is largely a Southern colloquial term and more often than not you’ll find them labeled as “large lima beans” at the store.
This Southern Butter Beans recipe is a classic down-home dish that you’ll find throughout the South using dried large lima beans that are slow-simmered with ham and smoked ham hocks for a deliciously rich, buttery, smoky, and comforting meal.
Butter Beans Ingredients
Dried large lima beans – the star of the show. You can substitute regular lima beans if you can’t find large but the large variety really is pretty stunning and you get more of that buttery flesh. Smoked ham – this butter beans recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover ham or you can use ham steaks and dice them. Smoked ham hock – this adds an incredible smoky flavor component. You can substitute smoked neck bones for the same flavor, but you won’t get much meat from them. Alternatively you can use a leftover ham bone. Onion and garlic – for flavor and fragrance these are a must. Chicken broth – while you can use water I vastly prefer the added flavor from chicken broth. Seasonings – we’re adding some garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, pepper and salt to create a delicious flavor profile. Butter – you can’t make Southern butter beans without the butter. It adds a ton of flavor and that wonderfully rich and silky texture.
If you enjoy DIY cooking projects like I do, be sure to check out my tutorial on homemade Smoked Neck Bones and Ham Hocks. Not only will they add an incredible depth of flavor to your butter beans, but there is just something so deeply satisfying about making your own. Last year I grew a large heirloom lima bean variety in my garden for the purpose of using them to make butter beans (diehard foodie through and through). I still have a large jar of beans that I dried and have been making my way through them, saving some of the seeds to plant next season.
How to Serve Butter Beans
These creamy Southern butter beans can be served as either a main dish with nothing more needed than some good cornbread and/or a salad, or a side dish dish paired with your favorite proteins. Here are a few other dishes that pair well with these creamy butter beans:
Cornbread: Try my Cornbread Muffins, my rustic Skillet Cornbread made with 100% corn, or for a slightly healthier twist, my Quinoa Cornbread. Or serve it with some crazy good Corn Pudding. Biscuits: Serve it with my tender and flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, so perfect for mopping up the juices from the butter beans. Rice: If you’d like to add bulk or make the butter beans stretch further you can serve them over steamed rice. Collard Greens: Another Southern classic and these will give you your serving of veggies. Corn: Because buttery corn on the cob goes perfectly with virtually every Southern meal. Salad: A simple salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast. Coleslaw: Try my popular Creamy Coleslaw or my tangy make-ahead Freezer Slaw. Proteins: Pair your butter beans with pork chops, baked ham, fried chicken, Barbecue Ribs, or Smothered Chicken.
And if you’re looking for a classic Southern dessert to contrast with the smokiness of the butter beans, you simply can’t beat a serving of fruity Peach Crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of refreshing Key Lime Pie!
Slow Cooker Butter Beans
To make these Southern butter beans in the slow cooker, 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
To make these smoky butter beans in the Instant Pot, 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.
Southern Butter Beans Recipe
Let’s get started! In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat one tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat and saute the onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the smoked ham hock, diced smoked ham, and seasonings. Note: it is a myth that you shouldn’t add salt to cooking beans, it in fact improves the texture. Add the beans and the chicken broth. 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. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve as a main dish or side dish. See blog post for serving recommendations.
Advance Preparation & Storage
This Southern butter beans with ham hock recipe can be made in advance and makes great leftovers. The beans may continue to thicken, so simply add a little broth or water. They can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. They also freeze well for up to 3 months and can be reheated frozen or thawed. Stored in the fridge they will keep for up to 4 days.
Enjoy!
For more delicious Southern recipes try my:
Shrimp and Grits Corn Pudding Fried Okra Andouille and Greens with Cheese Grits Sausage Gravy Jambalaya Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad Grillades and Grits Fried Catfish Pickled Okra Chicken Fried Steak Burgers Boiled Peanuts Muscadine Jelly
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