For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and ham hock. Add a tablespoon of smoked paprika to the onions and garlic for a smoky flavor. If you don't have sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar makes a good substitute. Soaking the beans overnight can reduce cooking time.
Southern Butter Beans
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PREP TIME5 mins
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COOK TIME2 hrs 45 mins
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TOTAL TIME2 hrs 50 mins
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SERVINGPeople
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VIEWS12
A soulful rendition of Southern comfort, these butter beans are slow-cooked with smoky bacon and ham hock, transforming into a creamy, deeply flavored delight that will warm you from the inside out.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate203 g
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Cholesterol166 mg
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Fiber36 g
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Protein159 g
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Saturated Fat13 g
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Sodium6885 mg
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Sugar47 g
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Fat42 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
0 mins
Gather all ingredients.
02
Step
8 mins
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, render the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and pepper; sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
03
Step
2 hrs 30 mins
Pour in the chicken stock, then introduce the dried lima beans, smoked ham hock, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer (medium-low), cover, and allow the beans to cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are exquisitely tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. As the beans cook, monitor the liquid level, adding more stock or water as needed to ensure the beans are consistently submerged by about 1/4 inch. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, refrain from adding more liquid to prevent an overly brothy consistency.
04
StepCarefully remove the ham hock from the pot. Once it's cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bone. Return the shredded ham to the beans. Extract and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Stir in the sherry vinegar to brighten the flavors. Ladle the butter beans into serving bowls. Garnish generously with fresh thyme leaves and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
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Ole Weber
Jun 29, 2025I added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick and it was perfect!
Ward Walker
Jun 18, 2025My family loved this. It's definitely going into our regular rotation.
Logan Johnson
Jun 16, 2025This recipe is amazing! The slow cooking really brings out the flavor of the beans.