Lima beans have often gotten a bad rap historically. In fact, in many markets, they are now being rebranded as butter beans!

But trust me: even if you had a bad lima bean experience as a child (I know I did), you need to give them another try. These beans are creamy, flavorful, healthy, and so, so nourishing.

Jump to:

• Appetizers & Breads
• Side/Main Dishes
• Veggies & Salads
• Desserts
• Drinks
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

If you’re still unsure, why not soften the blow by serving lima beans with one of your favorite dishes that just so happens to go perfectly with them?

When it comes to what to eat with lima beans, I’ve compiled all my go-to foods in the list below.

So if you’re wondering what to serve lima beans, why not try one out and see how you go? Ready to reevaluate your stance on these versatile legumes? Let’s go!

Appetizers & Breads

1. Garlic Crostini

Crostini is essentially Italian toast! You take a fresh, crusty bread, and cook it in the oven topped with butter or olive oil until it’s perfectly crunchy.

Usually, it’s even a little charred on the edges – but if you aren’t a fan you can always slightly lessen the cooking time or cover in tin foil.

This garlic crostini recipe is super simple and easy. It takes under ten minutes from start to finish and only uses five ingredients: a nice loaf of sourdough, olive oil, a clove of garlic, kosher salt, and oregano (though you can leave this off if you prefer!) I enjoy making crostini instead of classic garlic bread when serving lima beans, as I generally prepare my beans with a generous (and I mean really generous) helping of butter.

However, if you’re going easier on the fat in your beans, you can substitute the olive oil for butter instead!

2. Stuffed Mini Peppers

These peppers are sweet, spicy, and deliciously cheesy! I love serving them as an appetizer to protein-heavy meals like lima beans or meat dishes as they’re a light and zesty starter in comparison.

These stuffed peppers are nothing fancy – and honestly, that’s probably why they are my go-to!

When I’m hosting, I always run out of time no matter how early I get to the kitchen. Luckily, these peppers use only three ingredients (peppers, cream cheese, and everything bagel seasoning) and are served raw – it really couldn’t be easier.

If you’re more prepared than I normally am, you can fix these up however you like; grill them until the peppers are tender and the cream cheese is gooey, or add any toppings you desire.

Just make sure you scrape them out well, no matter what you decide– there’s nothing worse than crunching down or a surprise raw pepper seed.

3. Cornbread

If you’re making your lima beans southern style, you have to serve them with this cornbread!

It’s a copycat recipe of the store-bought version from Trader Joe's, which was 100% my go-to until I found this version. Somehow, it’s even tastier than the original, in addition to being a whole lot cheaper.

If you want some extra texture and freshness to your cornbread, try mixing in corn kernels (frozen is fine, and even preferred). I like serving this cornbread with a generous pat of butter, and a large glass of sweet tea!

4. Indian Flatbread - Parotta Bread

Want to mix things up? Try out this parotta recipe! This Indian flatbread is flaky, crispy, and chewy all at the same time.

It’s also an unleavened variety of flatbread, meaning you save a lot of rising time. It is super easy to make, and only uses a handful of pantry staples: flour, salt, butter (or ghee), and water!

I like serving this flatbread with lima beans or other legumes as it is great for scooping! It can be a little messy, but it’s a great option for getting all of the flavors in one amazing bite.

5. Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

When deciding what to eat with lima beans, my final go-to bread has got to be this rosemary olive oil bread!

It’s a little more involved than the other recipes because you make this bread from scratch – but that’s also what makes it so incredibly special.

And really, it’s not that difficult either; all you need to do is bloom your yeast (mix it with warm water and leave it alone for five to ten minutes) then add in olive oil, salt, sugar, bread flour, and rosemary (fresh is best, but dried and ground is perfectly okay as well!), knead and let rise.

Then you work the dough, place it in its pan, allow it to rise for a little longer, bake for twenty-five to thirty minutes – and you’re good to go!

If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can brush the tops of the loaves with egg wash before baking, for a perfect glossy and golden brown crust.

Side/Main Dishes

(Considering Lima Beans as a Side Dish)

1. Cloud Eggs

If you’re wanting to keep your meal vegetarian but still want to go all out, try your hand at these cloud eggs!

They have perfect fluffy, light-as-air, and evenly cooked whites with a perfectly gooey, just-set yolk in the middle!

This recipe does take a lot of time and work – for an egg recipe, at least! It only takes fifteen minutes to make, and the most challenging part is separating the eggs.

Once prepared, they cook in only three minutes – meaning they are easy to time with the rest of your meal.

These eggs are great on their own with just a little salt and pepper, but if you want more, you can try some add-ins too.

Recommended combos include ham and Swiss cheese, garlic and parmesan, bacon and cheddar cheese, or Gruyere and chives – but feel free to experiment!

2. Honey Mustard & Rosemary Chicken

Who doesn’t love honey mustard on chicken? It has got to be one of the best combos out there; my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

This recipe doubles down on those amazing flavors with a mustard rub on the chicken as well as a decadent homemade honey mustard sauce. The rosemary in the rub adds a layer of complex flavor that brings it all together beautifully.

Usually, if I’m serving this dish alongside lima beans, they’re the side dish – but the portions are up to you! Try adding a little rosemary, pepper, and garlic to your beans to meld the flavors perfectly.

3. Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

If you’re looking for a gourmet meat main that looks (and tastes) like it came from a restaurant, you should check out this salmon recipe!

It pairs so many perfect textures and flavors; hearty, tender, and springy salmon, crusted with crunchy, savory bread crumbs, and topped with tangy, creamy, and rich dill sauce.

I prefer to serve bright green lima beans with this recipe rather than the richer light brown beans, as the freshness pairs well with this decadent fish.

4. Herbed Quinoa Pilaf

If you’re wondering about what goes with lima beans for dinner in terms of a vegan option, this herbed quinoa pilaf is an excellent contender!

Unlike traditional pilaf (which is still amazing of course), this recipe is packed with protein as well as being subtly sweet, hearty, and flavorful.

If you’re not keeping things dairy-free, try adding some crumbly feta or goat cheese to this recipe for added fat, salt, and flavor!

Alternatively, adding some nutritional yeast and vegan butter to your lima beans gives you all of the satisfaction of a cheesy bean dish without any animal products or lactose.

5. Sous Vide Pork Chops with apple chutney

These pork chops are some of the most tender, juicy, and flavorful chops I have ever made!

While it’s easiest to create with tailored sous vide equipment, you don’t need it for this recipe; you can achieve it with just freezer or vacuum seal plastic bags and a digital thermometer.

You’ll need to get the water to 130-135F for “ pinkish-red, soft, moist, juicy”, °140F-142F for “slightly pink, tender, moist”, or °145-150F for “ firmer, no pink.”

The homemade apple chutney makes this recipe shine in my opinion, but if you’re short on time you can always sub for store-bought or apple sauce!

Veggies & Salads

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Brussels sprouts used to make the kids in my family grimace, and it took a lot of experimenting just to get them to try this veggie.

Well, pairing roasted sprouts with lima beans did the trick for them – and it might do the same for you too!

Roasted sprouts have that unique charred taste that barbecued meats and treats are known for.

And when you pair them with a pan full of rich lima beans and chicken, the kids (and young at heart) are sure to go crazy for it.

Lima beans are an excellent accompaniment for convincing people to give Brussels sprouts another chance!

2. Kale Salad with Cranberries

Do you want a vegan treat to go crazy for? I have just the recipe for you: kale salad with cranberries!

And with tender lima beans on top, you’re in for the most flavorful and nutritious salad possible.

Kale salad is fresh, sweet, and healthy – not to mention being so quick and easy to prepare. This salad will have you enjoying leftover lima beans in no time!

For this recipe, all you need are kale, cranberries, pecan, and white cheddar (if your diet lets you sneak in this cheesy guilty pleasure). Throw in a perfectly tangy and zesty dressing, and you’re good to go!

3. Oven Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest

Asparagus is one of my all-time favorites, and oven-roasting them with lemon zest? It blew me away the first time I tried it. I’m sure you’ll be hooked from the first stalk, just like I was!

Your oven will do all the heavy lifting for you with this recipe. Just trim the asparagus and lay it flat inside your oven coated in olive oil and lemon juice, then let it cook until tender. For the finishing touch (and extra flavor!), rain lemon zest on top.

Lima beans with tasty asparagus? Everyone will be lining up for seconds!

4. Cinnamon Brown Sugar Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Potatoes might overshadow their incredibly versatile cousins, but that doesn’t mean sweet potatoes can’t steal the spotlight from time to time!

And what better way to serve sweet potatoes than mashed and swimming in sweet cinnamon?

If you’ve known me for any period of time, you’ll know this is something I can’t resist!

These sweet potatoes are boiled to perfection, mashed, and combined with sugar, milk, cinnamon, and butter. The result is a mouthwatering bowl of mashed potatoes that tastes worlds better than regular ones!

And with the trusty flavor of lima beans as the base? It’s culinary perfection.

5. Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

If you’re having a garden-themed, all-vegetable dinner, make your lima beans shine with this beet and goat cheese salad.

It’s a perfect mix of creamy, salty, sweet, and colorful, so it’s good both for the eyes and the stomach.

Roasted beets, mixed greens, pistachios, oranges, and crumbled goat cheese are the stars of this show. Just from these ingredients, you know you’re in for a treat filled with healthy flavors and textures!

Just know that this salad takes about half an hour to prepare, give or take. While your beans are stewing, have fun whipping it up(and sneaking in a bite!).

Desserts

1. Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey Poached Pears

If I’m feeling fancy and have plenty of time in my hand, this panna cotta recipe is my perfect choice to show off and impress dinner guests!

I really love this dessert because it’s so exquisite and eye-catching. Each bite catches me off-guard with how sweet it is without being overpowering.

The honey-poached pears are the crown jewel and give extra presentation points to the dessert. This panna cotta is packed full of complex flavor notes, so don’t be surprised if it becomes everyone’s favorite after-lima bean treat!

2. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart

If you want a rich treat for warm summer afternoons with friends and family, you can’t go wrong with this dark chocolate raspberry tart!

Raspberry harvest is in full swing during the season, so it’s the perfect time to flex your baking skills and wow everyone.

This decadent tart looks like it’s made by a master chef, but once you learn the ropes, it’s actually pretty simple to prepare.

Prep and cooking time takes an hour tops, but for the best results, chill the tart for at least three hours before serving. All that effort is worth it; you’ll understand once you’ve had your first bite!

Drinks

1. Mint and Rosemary Lemonade with Vanilla

Trust me, there’s no better way to down lima beans than with a subtle lemonade drink that even the kids will love. It’s refreshing and tingles your taste buds without being overwhelming, so expect guests to gulp glass after glass!

The drink itself isn’t rocket science to prepare, and you only need 10 minutes to mix a batch. All you need are large lemons, fresh mint and rosemary, vanilla beans, and granulated sugar – and you’re all set!

This lemonade grows on people very quickly – so if you’re hanging out with loved ones the whole day, make sure to keep the tap flowing!

📖 Recipe