Bring the warmth of Southern hospitality into your kitchen with this recipe for Southern Butter Beans. A comforting classic, this dish is full of smoky bacon, hearty lima beans and a rich, savoury broth. Here’s how to make this Southern delight:
Ingredients:
- 3 thick slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock, plus more if needed
- 1 pound large dried lima beans
- 1 (14oz) smoked ham hock
- 2 fresh or dried bay leaves
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
- thyme leaves, to garnish
Method of preparation:
Cook the bacon: In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over a medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion and sliced garlic to the pot and cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Add the beans and spices: Add the black pepper, chicken stock, lima beans, ham hock, bay leaves and thyme sprigs to the pot. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer.
Simmer: Cover the pot and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beans are tender. Add more chicken stock if needed to keep the beans covered.
Season and serve: Remove the ham hock and bay leaves from the pot. Stir in kosher salt and sherry vinegar. Garnish with the cooked bacon and fresh thyme leaves.
