Hearty & Comforting Lima Bean Soup with Ham: A Frugal Family Favorite
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to chase away the chill of a winter evening. This delightful Lima Bean Soup, brimming with tender lima beans, savory diced ham, and a medley of wholesome vegetables, is a truly satisfying meal that promises to warm you from the inside out. Known also as butter beans in many regions, lima beans lend a uniquely creamy texture to the broth, making each spoonful a pure delight. This easy-to-follow recipe transforms simple, pantry-friendly ingredients into a rich, flavorful soup that tastes far more complex than its humble origins suggest. It’s the perfect blend of healthy, hearty, and incredibly comforting, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.
Why This Lima Bean Soup Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
- Economical & Family-Friendly: In an era where grocery bills seem to constantly climb, this cozy Lima Bean Soup offers a brilliantly affordable solution for feeding your entire family. Utilizing budget-friendly ingredients like dried beans and leftover ham, it’s a smart way to enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal without breaking the bank.
- Rich & Complex Flavors: Despite its straightforward ingredient list, this soup boasts an incredibly deep and satisfying flavor profile. The slow simmering process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day long.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: This soup is a dream for those who love to plan ahead. It freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for batch cooking. Prepare a large pot on the weekend, and you’ll have wholesome, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week, saving you time and effort.
- One-Pot Wonder: Simplify your kitchen routine with this one-pot meal. Minimal cleanup means more time to relax and enjoy your delicious creation.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. It’s naturally hearty but can be bulked up further with various sides.
Unlocking the Best Flavor: Essential Chef’s Tips for Perfect Lima Bean Soup
Achieving the perfect bowl of lima bean soup is easier than you think, especially with a few insider tricks. These tips will help you maximize flavor and texture, ensuring a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
- The Secret to Creaminess: Soaking Lima Beans: While it requires a bit of foresight, soaking your dried lima beans (also known as butter beans) overnight or for several hours before cooking is highly recommended. This crucial step not only significantly reduces cooking time but also contributes to the irresistibly creamy texture that home-cooked beans offer, a quality often missing when using canned varieties. If you’re short on time, the quick-soak method (boiling for a minute, then letting them stand for an hour) works too.
- Achieving Your Desired Thickness: For those who prefer a heartier, thicker soup, a simple trick can be employed towards the end of the cooking process. Carefully remove about a cup or two of the cooked beans, mash them with a fork or an immersion blender, and then stir them back into the broth. The starch from the mashed beans will naturally thicken the soup, adding a wonderful body without the need for flour or cornstarch.
- Making it Vegan-Friendly: This soup is wonderfully adaptable. To transform it into a delicious vegan meal, simply substitute chicken stock with a high-quality vegetable stock or broth. Additionally, omit the diced ham. To ensure the soup doesn’t lack in flavor or savory depth, be sure to generously season with extra salt, pepper, herbs, and perhaps a dash of smoked paprika to mimic some of the smoky notes typically provided by the ham.
- Don’t Skimp on Sautéing Aromatics: The foundation of any great soup lies in its aromatics. Take your time to properly sauté the celery, onion, and carrots until they are soft and translucent. This process, often called “sweating” the vegetables, caramelizes their natural sugars, building a deep, rich flavor base for your soup.
- Quality Stock Makes a Difference: While water can be used, a good quality chicken stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option) will elevate the flavor of your soup dramatically. Look for low-sodium options to control the saltiness yourself.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. The flavors will concentrate as the soup simmers, so a final seasoning check is crucial for a perfectly balanced taste.
More Soul-Warming Soup Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of comforting bowls of goodness, explore some of our other favorite soup recipes designed to warm you up:
- Smoked Turkey Soup with White Beans
- Creamy Pumpkin Bisque Soup Recipe
- Hearty Kale and White Bean Soup
- Loaded Gluten Free Potato Soup
- Vibrant Chinese Vegetable Soup with Bok Choi
- Classic Creamy Irish Potato Soup Recipe
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For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.
Classic Lima Bean and Ham Soup
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 45 minutes
2 hours 55 minutes
By Cheryl Malik
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Ingredients
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6 cups chicken stock or water, plus more if needed -
1 pound dried lima beans -
1 tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil -
3 stalks celery diced -
1 large onion diced -
3 medium carrots peeled and sliced -
4 cloves garlic minced or pressed -
8 ounces cooked ham diced, (e.g., leftover ham, ham hock, or pancetta) -
1 ½ teaspoons salt -
1 teaspoon ground black pepper -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional) -
Optional additions: a bay leaf, pinch of dried thyme, or a dash of smoked paprika for extra depth.
Instructions
- Prepare the Lima Beans: Begin by thoroughly rinsing the dried lima beans under cold water. Place them in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Pour in enough cold water to cover the beans by at least two inches. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately remove the pot from the heat, cover it tightly with a lid, and let the beans stand for a full hour. This quick-soak method helps to soften the beans and significantly reduces their overall cooking time. After an hour, drain the beans completely and rinse them again. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same large pot or Dutch oven, heat the avocado or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced celery, onion, and sliced carrots to the hot oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the vegetables start to soften. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base for your soup. Add the minced or pressed garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine & Simmer: Stir in the diced cooked ham and the rinsed lima beans into the pot with the sautéed vegetables and garlic. Pour in 6 cups of chicken stock or water. If you’re adding optional herbs like a bay leaf or dried thyme, now is the time to do so. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Cook for approximately 90 minutes, or until the lima beans are very tender and the soup has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add additional water or stock if the soup becomes too thick during simmering.
- Season & Serve: Once the beans are tender and the soup has reached your preferred thickness, remove any bay leaves. Stir in the salt and ground black pepper. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as necessary; you may need a little more salt depending on your stock and ham. If using, stir in the fresh chopped parsley just before serving. Ladle the hearty Lima Bean Soup into bowls and serve hot.
Notes & Variations
- Planning Ahead with Soaking: To streamline your cooking day, you can soak the lima beans (also called butter beans) the day before you intend to make the soup. Simply follow step 1, then refrigerate the drained, rinsed beans until you’re ready to cook.
- Speeding Up with Canned Beans: For a significantly faster cooking time, substitute dried lima beans with two (15-ounce) cans of drained and rinsed lima beans. If using canned beans, you won’t need to perform the initial soaking and boiling step. Reduce the simmering time in step 3 to about 30-45 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender and flavors are well combined. Keep in mind that canned beans may not yield the same creamy texture as freshly cooked dried beans.
- Thicker Soup Preference: As mentioned in our Chef’s Tips, for a truly thick and substantial soup, scoop out about 1-2 cups of the cooked beans (and some broth) towards the end of the simmering time. Mash them with a fork or use an immersion blender directly in the pot, then return them to the soup. This creates a wonderful, creamy body naturally.
- Vegan & Vegetarian Adaptations: Easily convert this into a delightful vegan or vegetarian soup by using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and omitting the ham. To compensate for the savory depth of the ham, consider adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke (for a smoky flavor), or a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy umami boost. Ensure you season well with salt and pepper.
- Add More Greens: For an extra boost of nutrients, stir in a handful of fresh spinach, chopped kale, or Swiss chard during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can introduce a pleasant warmth and subtle kick.
- Different Proteins: Instead of ham, you can use smoked sausage (sliced), shredded cooked chicken or turkey, or even omit meat entirely for a lighter version.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per Serving)
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Protein: 23g
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Fat: 7g
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Saturated Fat: 1g
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Total Carbs: 46g
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Fiber: 12g
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Sugar: 9g
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Net Carbs: 34g
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Vitamin C: 10mg
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Cholesterol: 26mg
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Sodium: 1049mg
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Potassium: 1353mg
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Calcium: 68mg
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Iron: 5mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Cheryl Malik
Serving Suggestions for Your Lima Bean Soup
While this Lima Bean Soup is a meal in itself, pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate your dining experience. Here are some fantastic suggestions:
- Crusty Bread or Rolls: A classic choice! The texture of a warm, crusty loaf of focaccia bread or a simple baguette is perfect for dipping into the rich broth.
- Homemade Cornbread: For a truly comforting, Southern-inspired meal, serve your soup with warm, fluffy homemade cornbread. The slight sweetness of the cornbread complements the savory notes of the soup beautifully.
- Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A timeless combination! A gooey grilled cheese sandwich makes for a delightful and satisfying pairing.
- Rice or Quinoa: For an even more substantial meal, serve the soup over a bed of fluffy white rice or nutritious quinoa.
Storage & Freezing Tips
This Lima Bean Soup is fantastic for meal prepping and makes delicious leftovers. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, or gently warm it directly from frozen on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of extra broth or water to reach your desired consistency. For refrigerated soup, simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly warm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lima Bean Soup
Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you master this delightful soup!
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What are lima beans also known as?
Lima beans are often referred to as butter beans, especially in the Southern United States and parts of the UK. This name comes from their creamy, buttery texture when cooked.
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Do I have to soak dried lima beans?
While you can cook dried lima beans without soaking, it is highly recommended. Soaking significantly reduces cooking time, helps the beans cook more evenly, and improves their texture, making them incredibly creamy. You can do a traditional overnight soak or a quick-soak method as outlined in the recipe.
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Can I use canned lima beans instead of dried?
Yes, absolutely! If you’re looking to save time, you can use two 15-ounce cans of drained and rinsed canned lima beans. Just skip the soaking step and reduce the simmering time for the soup to about 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.
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How can I make this soup thicker?
To thicken the soup naturally, you can mash a portion of the cooked lima beans (about 1-2 cups) and stir them back into the pot. The starch from the mashed beans will create a richer, creamier consistency. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender to blend a small portion of the soup directly in the pot.
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Is lima bean soup healthy?
Yes, this lima bean soup is incredibly healthy! Lima beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. Combined with fresh vegetables and a lean protein like ham, it makes for a nutrient-dense and satisfying meal.
Embrace the Warmth of Homemade Lima Bean Soup
This Hearty Lima Bean Soup with Ham is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the simple pleasures of home cooking. With its rich flavors, comforting texture, and wholesome ingredients, it’s a dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table. Whether you’re feeding a bustling family or enjoying a quiet evening in, this frugal and flavorful soup promises to be a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire. So gather your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and prepare to delight in a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort. Happy cooking!