What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them?

What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them?

Lima beans are a delicious bean that are great for you! Adding lima beans to your meals is an excellent way to quickly boost your nutrient intake. Plus, they offer a taste and flavor that is out-of-this-world delicious. If you're interested in learning more about lima beans and how you can work this superfood into your diet, keep reading! This article will discuss the many noteworthy nutritional benefits of lima beans and how you can cook them to perfection.

What are Lima Beans?

So, what are lima beans exactly? Lima beans are a legume that's widely loved in South America. Named after the capital of Peru, lima beans have taken on many names throughout the years. The most popular being, butter bean, Burma bean and Madagascar bean. Much like many other legumes, lima beans originated in Peru where they have been eaten for thousands of years, even before corn. They're now loved all around the world and appear in various dishes.

Varieties of Lima Beans

What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them | Bob's Red Mill Blog Lima beans come in three different varieties: dwarf lima beans, small lima beans and large lima beans. Unlike baby lima beans, larger lima beans have a moon-like shape and are used in everything from desserts to stews. The delicate flavor of baby lima beans makes them a favorite when used in curry dishes and salads. All varieties of lima beans require full boiling before eating.

Where Can You Find Lima Beans?

If you're on the hunt for fresh lima beans and can't seem to find them at your local store, it may not be the right season. Lima bean season takes place in the summer and fall. This is when fresh lima beans are most likely to be available to the public; however, they are often hard to find even then. On the other hand, dried lima beans are available year-round and can be found at nearly every grocery store.

What Does a Lima Bean Look Like?

Most lima beans have a flat, slightly curved shaped pod that is about three inches in length. Inside this pod, there are anywhere from two to four kidney-shaped seeds that we identify as the actual lima bean. While these seeds are usually green or cream in color, different varieties produce lima beans that are white, red, purple, brown and black.

Health Benefits of Lima Beans

What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them | Bob's Red Mill Blog Lima beans are loaded with health benefits. Keep scrolling to discover just how great lima beans are for you.

Fiber

Lima beans are jam-packed with fiber, cholesterol-lowering fiber to be exact. This high fiber content works hard with your body to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after a meal. Foods high in fiber are also considered one of the most filling, as eating fiber-rich foods can help keep you energized and satiated in between meals. When lima beans are combined with other whole grains like rice or bulgur, they create a high-fiber, low-fat meal that is an excellent choice for those following a healthy diet.

Complex Carbohydrates

Lima beans are rich in complex carbohydrates. While carbs often get a bad rap, especially in the diet world, complex carbohydrates are great for you. Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates release energy at a much slower rate. Not only does this help you maintain steady energy levels, but it also prevents energy crashes and the side effects that come along with them.

Iron

In addition to providing your body with energy through complex carbohydrates, lima beans are a good source of iron. Iron has many crucial tasks within the body, one of which is transporting oxygen from your lungs to your cells.

Protein

If you've recently switched over to a plant-based or vegan diet, then eat more lima beans. An excellent protein source, lima beans, can be combined with other protein-rich grains like quinoa and teff to make a protein-packed dish that your body will thank you for. One serving of Large Lima Beans contains 9 grams of plant-based protein. Plus, when you get your protein from lima beans, you also reap all of the other incredible benefits on this list.

How to Cook Large Lima Beans

What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them | Bob's Red Mill Blog If you'd like to start working this bean into your diet and wonder what the best method to cook lima beans is, then we have you covered. At Bob's Red Mill, we cook lima beans often and have discovered how to cook lima beans quickly and simply. Here's a complete guide on how you can cook broad lima beans to perfection.

How to Cook Lima Beans on the 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. Drain the beans well and then enjoy!

How to Cook Lima Beans With a Slow Cooker

Cooking lima beans with a slow cooker is a hands-off cooking method that we love. To start, be sure to rinse your beans before cooking. Next, place 1 cup of beans, 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt into a slow cooker. After all of the ingredients are added and mixed, cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2 hours. Drain your lima beans of all water, and enjoy!

How to Cook Lima Beans With a Multi Cooker

To cook lima beans with a multi-cooker, like with all methods, make sure your lima beans are fully rinsed before cooking. Next, place 1 cup of beans, 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt into the multi-cooker. Cover the multi-cooker with the lid and set the valve to sealing. Using the manual setting, set it to high-pressure cooking for 14 minutes. Once the timer goes off, release the pressure for 20 minutes. Drain the water from your lima beans and enjoy.

Spotlight Recipes

Ensalada de Quinoa

What Are Lima Beans & How Do You Cook Them | Bob's Red Mill Blog For a no-fuss, nutrient-packed lima bean recipe, we recommended making this Ensalada de Quinoa. It's a simple dish full of flavor and health benefits that can be made in less than 20 minutes. No cooking is required!

Summer Quinoa Succotash Salad

When chefs think lima beans, they often associate them with the traditional Native American dish known as a Summer Quinoa Succotash Salad. This dish combines sweet lima beans with delicious corn, shallots, peppers and quinoa to create a protein-rich meal that everyone will love. When deciding to make this salad, don't be fooled by the name; It's a dish that can be made year-round and even combined with seasonal produce for added flavor Though there are several different varieties of lima beans, the one that is enjoyed the most is often the large lima bean. Due to its pleasant flavor and many health benefits, it's an ingredient that can be worked into almost any recipe to provide a quick boost of nutrients. Whether you choose to cook your lima beans using one of the methods we've outlined, or purchased them pre-cooked, we're confident that this is one superfood you don't want to miss out on. From all of us at Bob's Red Mill, happy cooking! Know something about lima beans that we didn't mention? We'd love to hear more about this wonderful legume. Share your knowledge in the comments below!  
Bob's Red Mill
November 06 2020

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