How to Cook Butter Beans

5 from 1 vote

How to cook butter beans from dry on the stove, in a pressure cooker or slow cooker unsoaked or soaked overnight to tender. A.K.A Lima Beans recipe.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butter beans, dry beans, how to cook

Servings:

Author: Justine

Rinse dried beans to remove dirt and debris. Pour into a bowl covered with water + 3 inches above top of them. Leave on the counter and soak overnight. You want to do this no matter which cooking method you choose to do below.
Butter beans on the stove - Drain soaked beans, rinse in a colander and put into a pot filled with new water covering the beans + 2 inches. Set to medium heat, once it starts to boil cover with a lid. Boil until they are tender which will take 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on size and preference.
Crockpot butter beans - Drain soaked beans, rinse in a colander and put into slow cooker filled with new water covering the beans + 2 inches above the top. You can add 1-2 ham hocks in center if desired. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until tender.
Pressure cooker butter beans - Use for unsoaked beans - Rinse beans and pour into pot with 3 inches of water above beans. Close lid and steam valve and set to high for 25 minutes with a 5 minute natural release. Then let rest of steam out. If not tender enough leave water in and set to saute to boil for as long as needed.
If you want to continue on to make seasoned beans on the stove - When tender, drain that water. Pour beans into a pot on the stove with; 2.5 tbsp butter until it melts, then add 1/4 cup chicken broth + 1 tbsp minced garlic + 1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir, simmer together until most of liquid is absorbed, taste, adjust seasonings and enjoy.