Combine fresh, frozen or dried lima beans, water and seasoning in a large pot on the stovetop. Bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce heat to medium high and cook until tender. Add water as needed to keep beans covered with water while cooking. If you don't presoak dried beans, add 15 minutes to cooking time.
8cupswater(optional - use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water)
4 cupsfresh or frozen or dried lima beans(Can pre-soak dried beans the night before; or use no soak method and just add 15 minutes to cooking time and cook until tender.)
1 tblsolive oil
Instructions
Place water in large boiler.
Add lima beans to water.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir.
Bring water to boil on high heat.
Reduce heat and cook on medium high until beans are tender. This will take about 40 to 45 minutes. Be sure to add water as needed to keep them from boiling dry.
Serve and enjoy! See notes below for seasoning suggestions to use while cooking.
Notes
Nutritional values are an estimate and can vary depending upon ingredients used in recipe.Pro tip: Always add a tablespoon of oil. I use olive oil for health benefits, but canola or vegetable oil will work well, too. The oil helps to keep the beans from foaming up and boiling over.Optional: For added flavor use bacon, ham or ham hock to season. Add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste. For dried lima beans sort (pick out the bad ones and throw them away), soak in a bowl of water covering the beans plus several inches of water on top, the night before. Drain and rinse before cooking. If not pre-soaking add an additional 10 to 15 minutes to the cooking time.The instant pot pressure cooker does a great job to make lima beans soft. They turn out tender in about 25 minutes of cooking time and then release with natural pressure (let it release without manually turning the sealing valve to let steam out quickly.) It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to release naturally.Slow cookers are great for dried beans. No soaking required. Add beans, water, seasonings and oil and cook for 2 to 4 hours on low until lima beans are tender.