Baked (Dry) Lima Beans
Hearty baked lima beans with smoky bacon, sweet molasses, and tangy ketchup create a comforting dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak dry lima beans in water overnight.
- Cook the soaked lima beans until just tender, not soft.
- Fry bacon slices until crisp; remove bacon and crumble.
- In bacon fat, sauté chopped onions and chopped celery until translucent.
- In a separate saucepan, mix molasses, catsup, prepared mustard, sugar, and salt.
- Add the sauce mixture to the cooked beans and stir well.
- Place all ingredients in a baking dish.
- Top with crumbled bacon.
- Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For the best flavor, soak the dry lima beans for at least 8 hours or overnight. If you're short on time, a quick soak method can be used: boil the beans for 2 minutes, then let them stand for 1 hour before cooking. If you want to reduce the sweetness, consider using less molasses or substituting with honey. You can also add spices like paprika for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these baked lima beans as a hearty side dish alongside grilled meats or with cornbread for a comforting meal. They pair wonderfully with dishes like Florida Pork Chops for a satisfying dinner. For a more complete meal, consider serving a fresh salad or steamed vegetables on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium until warmed through, or reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked (Dry) Lima Beans contains roughly 124 calories, with 3g protein, 18g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 639mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned lima beans instead of dry?
While you can use canned lima beans for convenience, they won't absorb the flavors as well as dried beans. If using canned, skip soaking and cooking the beans before baking, but reduce baking time to about 30 minutes.
What can I substitute for bacon?
For a vegetarian version, you can use smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the bacon flavor. Alternatively, try using turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon substitute if you want a lower-fat option.
How do I know when the beans are done cooking?
The beans should be tender but not mushy before baking. Test them by tasting; they should have a slight bite but be soft enough to absorb the flavors during baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).