This soft and creamy butter beans recipe takes just over an hour to make and is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty meal. Butter beans are a classic comfort food with a thick creamy broth flavored with garlic and ham - a match made in heaven that is sure to please your guests!
Rinse the beans under running water to remove debris and juices if using canned beans.
Finely dice the onion, celery, and garlic.
Cooking instructions
Set a Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the celery and onion for 5 to 6 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for another minute or two until fragrant.
And the fresh lima beans, ham hock, bay leaf, water, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let it come to a boil.
Once it starts boiling, turn the heat down to low so that it's just about boiling, and cook for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover the Dutch oven with a lid, and cook for 1 - 1 ½ hours until the beans are soft and tender.
Remove the bay leaf and ham hock from the pot and dice or shred the meat.
Return the meat back into the pot and stir into the beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the creamy beans with your selection of garnish, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Submerge the beansMake sure the beans are fully covered with water while they are cooking. If the water evaporates too much, you may need to add more during cooking time.Cooking timeCooking beans can take some time, so be sure to simmer on low heat and let the beans cook until they are tender. This can take between 1 to 2 hours, depending on how soft you like them.