Southern Comfort Butter Beans with Ham
Indulge in the warm, hearty goodness of Southern Comfort Butter Beans with Ham. This classic dish combines luscious, creamy butter beans with tender pieces of ham to create a comforting meal that's perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings at home. The rich flavors are enhanced by sautéed onions and a hint of spice from hot sauce, making every bite a delightful experience. Serve it with crusty homemade bread and a pat of butter for a true Southern feast that brings nostalgia with each savory spoonful. A personal favorite from my cherished collection of handwritten recipes, this dish is bound to become a staple in your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
233
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried large lima beans
1 lb (soaked overnight)
ham hock or ham shank
1 (boned and chopped after cooking)
onions
2 medium (1 quartered, 1 finely chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (peeled)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
butter
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
hot sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons (to taste)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the dried large lima beans overnight in a large bowl of water. For a quicker method, place the beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, and let soak for 1 hour.
2
In a large saucepan, half-fill with fresh water and add the soaked beans, ham hock, quartered onion, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and check the water level, adding more if necessary to keep the beans submerged.
4
After cooking, drain the beans, making sure to reserve the cooking liquid. Discard the quartered onion, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Transfer the beans to a large bowl and place the ham hock on a cutting board.
5
Carefully cut the ham from the hock, discarding any bones and thick skin. Chop the meat into bite-sized pieces, which should yield about 1 cup of ham.
6
In the same saucepan used for the beans, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
7
Stir in the chopped ham and about 2 cups of the reserved bean liquid, bringing everything to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat, then let simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
8
Gently fold in the cooked butter beans, add the hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to heat through for an additional 3 minutes.
9
Serve the butter beans into bowls, adding a touch of ketchup on top if desired. Enjoy with warm, freshly baked bread slathered in butter for the ultimate comfort meal.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
37g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Southern Comfort Butter Beans with Ham?
This is a classic Southern dish featuring creamy dried large lima beans and tender pieces of ham simmered with aromatics and finished with a hint of spice.
What kind of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of dried large lima beans, also known as butter beans.
How should I prepare the dried beans before cooking?
You should soak the beans overnight in a large bowl of water or use the quick soak method by boiling them for 1 hour.
What is the quick soak method for beans?
Place the beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, and then let them soak for 1 hour before proceeding with the recipe.
What cut of meat is used for the ham flavor?
You can use either one ham hock or one ham shank for this recipe.
What aromatics are added to the boiling water?
The beans are boiled with a quartered onion, three peeled garlic cloves, and two whole bay leaves.
How long do the butter beans need to simmer?
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
Should I discard the cooking liquid?
No, you should reserve the cooking liquid after draining the beans as it is used later to create the sauce.
What do I do with the ham hock after boiling?
Carefully cut the meat from the hock, discard the bones and thick skin, and chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.
How much ham should I expect from one ham hock?
One ham hock typically yields about 1 cup of chopped ham meat.
How are the onions prepared for this dish?
You will need two medium onions: one is quartered for the boiling stage and the other is finely chopped for sautéing.
How do I sauté the onions?
Melt one tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and sauté the finely chopped onion for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
How much of the reserved liquid is used in the final dish?
You will use approximately 2 cups of the reserved bean cooking liquid.
When do I add the chopped ham back into the pot?
Stir the chopped ham into the sautéed onions along with the reserved liquid and bring to a gentle boil.
What gives the dish its subtle spice?
The recipe includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of hot sauce, added toward the end of cooking.
How do I season the butter beans?
Season with salt and pepper to taste during the final heating phase.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the beans in bowls with crusty homemade bread and a pat of butter, and optionally top with a touch of ketchup.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 233 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the butter beans?
There are 37g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this a high-protein meal?
Yes, each serving provides 15g of protein.
What should I do with the bay leaves and garlic after boiling?
The quartered onion, garlic cloves, and bay leaves should be discarded after the beans have finished simmering.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a classic, hearty comfort food perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings.
Can I use a different type of bean?
While specifically designed for large lima beans, other dried white beans could be substituted, though the texture will change.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 primary ingredients excluding the water used for soaking and boiling.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include comfort food, southern cuisine, slow-cooked, and family recipe.
How long is the final simmer time?
After combining the ham, liquid, and beans, the mixture simmers for about 5 minutes, plus 3 additional minutes once the beans are folded in.
Do I leave the beans uncovered at any point?
The beans simmer covered during the initial hour of cooking, but the final mixture simmers uncovered for 5 minutes.
Is the ham hock boned before or after cooking?
The ham hock is boiled whole and then boned and chopped after it has become tender.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This dish is a personal favorite from a collection of cherished handwritten Southern recipes.