Lima Beans With Ham Bone Or Bacon
📜 Collection: Gail Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Sides A traditional, comforting recipe for slow-cooked lima beans infused with savory ham bone or smoky bacon. Perfect as a hearty side dish for family gatherings.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mins | 1 hour 30 mins | 8 hours (Soaking) | 6–8 Servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Large pot or pressure cooker
- Colander
- Measuring cups
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients (Ham Bone Version)
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ½ Cups | Lima Beans | Dry |
| To Cover | Water | For soaking and cooking |
| 1 Large | Onion | White, chopped or quartered |
| A little | Celery | Chopped |
| 1 | Ham Bone | Optional alternative available |
| To taste | Salt | Added during simmering |
Alternative Ingredients (Bacon & Tomato Version)
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Slices | Bacon | Rinsed off, used if not using ham bone |
| 6 Cups | Water | For cooking with bacon alternative |
| 1 Cup | Tomato Sauce | Standard |
| To taste | Sugar | Optional sweetness |
| 1 | Pork Love | With green label, or seasoning blend |
| Dash | Kitchen Bouquet | Optional, for color and flavor |
Instructions
Step 1: Soak and Prepare
- Soak the 1 ½ cups lima beans in water overnight, optionally adding 1 teaspoon soda to help soften the beans.
- Drain the soaking water thoroughly using a colander.
Step 2: Cook with Ham Bone (Primary Method)
- In a large pot or pressure cooker, combine the drained lima beans, 1 large white onion, a little celery, and the 1 ham bone.
- Add water to cover (about halfway up the pot level).
- Cook in a pressure cooker for 40 minutes to 1 hour, or simmer gently on the stovetop.
- Add salt to taste, and continue to simmer on mild heat, occasionally adding more water, until the beans are tender and creamy.
Step 3: Alternate Preparation (Bacon Method)
- If substituting the ham bone, rinse the 4 slices bacon and cook them with the onion in 6 cups of water for at least 1 hour.
- Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, sugar to taste, 1 pork love seasoning, and a dash of kitchen bouquet.
- Add the soaked and drained lima beans to the pot.
- Simmer over low heat until the beans are completely tender and flavors are well-blended.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store leftover lima beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; flavors often improve by the next day.
Original Recipe Scan
