How to Prepare Fresh Limas

Fresh lima beans become tender and tasty after simmering.

Fresh, green lima beans can add a nutritious and enjoyable side dish to a meal. According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, lima beans provide significant amounts of Vitamin B, fiber, potassium and magnesium. Prepare fresh limas simply to enable the taste of the beans to shine through. After shelling the lima beans from the outer pods, they will be ready to prepare.

Things You'll Need

• 3 lbs. unshelled lima beans
• Colander
• Paring knife
• 2-quart saucepan
• Butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Place the unshelled lima beans into the colander and wash them under cool water. Shake off the excess water after you finish washing them.

2. Insert the tip of the paring knife into the inside seam of a bean and slice open the seam from one end to the other. Separate the pod and pop out the beans. Collect all of the lima beans in the saucepan using this technique.

3. Add enough water to cover the lima beans and place them onto the stovetop. Set the burner to medium-high and simmer the beans for about five minutes uncovered. Cover the beans and simmer them for another 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Taste a bean after 15 minutes. If the bean feels tender, remove the beans from the heat. If the bean does not taste completely tender, cook the beans for five more minutes.

5. Remove the beans from the heat and drain off the water. Add 1 tbsp. of butter or olive oil to the hot beans and stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir the beans a final time.

6. Serve the beans while they are hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Store unshelled lima beans in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Do not shell lima beans until immediately before cooking.

• This recipe serves four.

References

• Kentucky Cooperative Extension; Kentucky Lima Beans; Phoebe Alexander
• Ohio State University Extension; Selecting, Storing, and Serving Ohio Beans; Barbara A. Brahm