What Are Lima Beans?

What Are Lima Beans?

Lima beans are nutrient-packed beans with a fantastic flavor, making them the perfect addition to your favorite recipes. If you'd like to learn more about lima beans and how you can begin cooking with them, we're here to help. This guide will discuss what lima beans are and where they come from and provide you with recipes you can begin cooking with today. Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn all there is to know about lima beans.

Lima Beans

Lima beans are the seeds of the plant phaseolus lunatus. They are overflowing with nutritional value and boast a creamy and filling consistency. Cultivated in the late summer, in-season lima beans can be purchased fresh or as fresh-frozen or dried beans year-round. Young lima beans, also known as baby limas, feature a thin skin that covers a pale green bean. The skin can be left intact or removed after cooking, depending on the recipe you choose to cook. Mature lima beans possess a thicker beige-colored skin that becomes tender when cooked and doesn't require removal.

The History of Lima Beans

Wondering where lima beans come from? Like many beans, lima beans originated in Peru, where they were cultivated before corn. In fact, lima beans held such a significant role in Peruvian culture that they appeared on some of the pottery of the Moche people who populated Northern Peru in the 15th century. As the popularity of lima beans spread, Native Americans started to grow them in the southern part of the United States, where they were eventually brought back to Europe in the 16th century by traders. Today lima beans are prevalent worldwide.

What Do Lima Beans Taste Like?

Lima beans have a velvety texture and butter-like flavor. Their mild flavor makes it easy to work them into all dishes, from sweet to savory. Lima beans also soak up the taste of the ingredients and sauces they are mixed with, allowing them to adjust to the flavor of any recipe. When enjoyed fresh, lima beans bear a slightly grassy and more vegetal flavor than cooked dried beans. lima beans

When Are Lima Beans In-Season?

If you are interested in adding lima beans to your backyard garden, then it's essential to know that summer is the best time to grow them. And, because lima beans grow throughout the summer, Autumn is the best time to harvest them. Depending on where you live, you may be able to purchase fresh lima beans year-round. However, many at-home chefs choose to keep dry or canned lima beans in their pantry to use in recipes when these beans are not in season.

Lima Beans vs. Butter Beans

We are often asked what the difference between lima beans and butter beans is when discussing lima beans. While some claim that these two beans are different, the truth is that they're actually the same bean. The confusion between lima beans and butter beans can be blamed on geography. In the Southern United States and the United Kingdom, these creamy white beans are named after the dairy product that they taste similar tobutter. However, the rest of the world calls them lima beans because they were first cultivated in Lima, Peru. No matter what you choose to call them, lima beans or butter beans, there are plenty of ways to prepare and enjoy them.

Types of Lima Beans

When searching for lima beans, you'll notice that there are three main varieties: Large, small and dwarf lima beans. Just as traditional lima beans have many names, the small lima beans also have several nicknames, including baby limas, sieva beans, carolina beans and sivvy. Baby limas have the mildest flavor of the three varieties and feature an earthy undertone. The larger moon-shaped lima beans, also known as butter beans, are widely popular in America and featured in various dishes, including sugar bean recipes, stews and succotash. Rich in plant-based protein, lima beans appear in several vegan and vegetarian dishes and meat substitutes. lima beans

Storing Lima Beans

The method you choose to store lima beans will vary depending on the type of lima bean you purchase. Fresh lima beans keep the longest if they remain in their pods. For proper storage, fresh lima beans should be placed in a tightly sealed plastic bag and kept in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Fresh lima beans can also be blanched or frozen; when prepared, they will keep for up to a year. Dry lima beans should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry and dark place, like the back of your pantry. Storing them in your pantry will protect them from moisture and humidity and prevent your beans from spoiling. When stored correctly, dry lima beans will remain fresh for one year.

Cooking Lima Beans

Much like storing lima beans, the method of cooking lima beans varies depending on the type of bean. Fresh lima beans require some preparation, but they don't have to be soaked beforehand, making their cook time much faster than dried beans. On the other hand, dried lima beans should be soaked overnight before use in most recipes. Learn more about how to cook each type of lima bean with our step-by-step guide: How to Cook Lima Beans.

Lima Bean Nutritional Value

Like many other beans, lima beans are applauded for providing a good source of complex carbohydrates. Half of these carbs come from starch, a nutrient that provides quick energy. Whereas the rest come from fiber, a nutrient that offers a steady stream of long-lasting energy. Fiber also plays an essential role in good digestive health, and eating foods rich in it can keep you fuller for longer, reducing the temptation to reach for an unhealthy snack between meals. In addition to fiber and complex carbs, lima beans contain healthy, polyunsaturated fat and are a quality source of protein and iron. All of which makes them an excellent option for individuals looking to meet their daily nutrient requirements.

Lima Bean Uses

ensalada de quinoa Lima beans can be used in all sorts of ways. When cooked, they are excellent in soups, stews, casseroles, dips, spreads and salads. Lima beans can also be topped with a light dressing and served on their own as a side dish. If you'd like to start cooking with butter beans and don't know where to begin, try one of the delicious recipes below. Ensalada De Quinoa This unique rendition of a traditional Peruvian dish uses red quinoa, green lima beans, and yellow corn to create a delicious and beautiful meal. Summer Quinoa Succotash Salad This grain-based salad is a traditional American side dish full of protein-rich ingredients like lima beans and organic quinoa. Cool Lima Beans and Couscous Salad Perfect for an outdoor picnic or potluck, this veggie-packed meal is flavored with herbs, spices and delicious lima beans.

Lima Bean Substitutes

Lima beans are a staple ingredient in many recipes. So, when you don't have any on hand, you may worry that you'll have to scrap your recipe altogether. Luckily, that is not the case. There are several lima bean substitutes that you can use to recreate your favorite recipes sans lima beans. Two of the most popular substitutes are fava beans and red kidney beans. While they have their differences, these beans are often used interchangeably in various meals. If you'd like to learn more about fava beans and if they make a suitable replacement for lima beans in your recipes, we recommend reading the article What Are Fava Beans? And What Do Fava Beans Taste Like?

Lima Bean Precautions

lima beans Stew One thing to note when purchasing lima beans is that they should not be eaten raw. This is because raw lima beans contain a compound called linamarin, which converts into cyanide (a poisonous substance) when the lima bean is chewed or damaged. While many wild-grown butter beans have a much higher concentration of this compound, most of the beans cultivated in the US are regulated and contain minimal amounts. Still, you want to avoid eating raw lima beans and boil them for 5-10 minutes to reduce the amount of cyanide. Now that you know more about lima beans And their many benefits, it's time that you begin adding them to your favorite recipes. From hearty soups like this Lemon Chicken Quinoa Soup to refreshing salads, lima beans make an excellent addition to any meal. So let your creativity shine and start cooking with lima beans today. We can't wait to see what you come up with. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, happy cooking! Do you have a fantastic lima bean recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear about the many ways that you use this legume. Share your favorite lima bean recipes with us in the comments below. We can't wait to hear from you.  
Bob's Red Mill
September 19 2022

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