Lets talk about lima beans. The first time I tried them, I was about 12 years old, at a friends house and I hated them. They were boring and bland. So one day, when my mom randomly made them, I was quite hesitant to eat it. But, I succumbed to the pressure and tried these beans once again. I was pleasantly surprised. Lima beans can actually be tasty and full of flavour!
Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender. Keep beans covered while cooking, by adding more liquid as necessary. If using ham hock, remove from pot.
Health Benefits of Lima Beans
If you dont normally eat these beans, or have never tried them, I dont know what you are waiting for! Lima beans are packed with protein and a wide array vitamins and minerals. They are particularly a good source of copper, manganese, folate, iron and cholesterol-lowering fiber.
They also provide numerous health benefits including:
- promoting heart health,
- producing energy, and
- stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Plus, they are readily available in your local grocery store. So no excuses! You can find them dried, canned or frozen. This recipe uses dried lima beans, since it is the only type that I have tried to make so far.
How to Cook Lima Beans
So what is the secret to make them tasty? There really is no secret at all. Theres no complicated way to cook them, nor is there a rare, secret ingredient. In fact, all it takes is a few basic ingredients to bring these beans to life: onions, garlic, turmeric, italian seasoning blend (which consists mainly of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme), salt and pepper. Yup, that is ALL!
The key is that once everything has cooked in the saucepan, turn off the heat and set it aside (still covered) for at least 20 minutes. This is crucial! It enables the flavours from this combination of ingredients to really settle into the sauce to create the flavourful creaminess and richness that is so apparent in this dish. Thats right, the creamy texture comes from the beans, not from any dairy. This dish is completely 100% vegan!
You can even create a more substantive dish by adding other hearty vegetables. Both carrots and potatoes taste incredible in this dish, hence why I added the carrots (which are optional). Adding corn or sweet potatoes will also result in a great stew. Experiment a little and see what works for you!
Serve hot or, once ready to serve, simply reheat the beans on the stove. Give them a taste and add more salt, pepper or italian seasoning as required. I love to keep this meal gluten-free and vegan by serving over a warm plate of Basmati rice. If you are not on a strict diet, you can also serve this with a dinner roll or homemade biscuit.
Delicious Lima Bean Recipe You Need to Try
FAQ
Do large lima beans need to be soaked before cooking?
How to cook large lima beans without soaking?
Why do lima beans have to cook so long?
How do you know when lima beans are done?
How do you cook lima beans on a stovetop?
To cook lima beans on the stovetop, first, make sure they are fully rinsed before cooking. Next, place 1 cup of beans in a large pot with 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water and beans to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the pot to a simmer and cover and cook until lima beans are fully tender, or about 1 hour.
Do Lima beans give you gas?
Lima beans can cause gas, even when cooked properly. Individuals not used to consuming beans and other plant foods regularly may initially notice an increase in bloating and gas. This is primarily due to the increased intake of both fiber and complex sugars like raffinose that can be difficult to digest. Digestive symptoms tend to decrease over a short period of time with regular consumption. Start by eating smaller amounts of lima beans and increase the amount incrementally. Or, to help dispel gas, add lemon to your dish if applicable and try taking a product called ‘Beano’ before meals. Eating one-half to one teaspoon of fennel seeds (toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal is another effective strategy to reduce gas and bloat.
How do you prepare lima beans before cooking?
Before you start cooking, it’s important to properly prepare your lima beans. Follow these simple steps: Thoroughly rinse the dried lima beans under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Sort through the beans to remove any damaged or discolored ones. Soak the beans in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
How long do you Pressure Cook lima beans?
Drain lima beans, then add to the Instant Pot. Add water and stir to prevent sticking. Pressure cook on high for 5-7 minutes (it will take about 8 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins). Once the timer goes off, allow to naturally release for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.