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These Slow Cooker Lima Beans takes dried lima beans and mixes them with diced ham and onions, a few pantry-favorite seasonings all combined in delicious chicken broth. Enjoy a small bowl as is or pair them alongside your favorite main course dish.
Pair these beans with my Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs or Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken for a hearty and healthy meal.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Cook Lima Beans in a Crock Pot
Long before the slow cooker came into the scene, beans were primarily cooked in stock pots on the stovetop.
We now have our handy crock pots to help us cook food much more easily, especially beans. I also love that you don’t have to soak these beans overnight, and you only need a few ingredients to add the perfect amount of flavor.
This lima beans and ham recipe is sure to become a family favorite and your favorite way of cooking beans from here on out! Also, try my slow cooker pinto beans.
Recipe Ingredients
- Dried Lima Beans: No need to soak overnight. I use large lima beans for this recipe.
- Yellow Onion: A small one, diced, will do.
- Diced Ham: You’ll only need a couple of cups. You can use a ham hock for even more flavor (if you can find one).
- Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. (There will plenty of salt from the broth and ham.)
- Chicken Broth: Helps flavor the beans. Chicken stock, beef broth (or beef stock) and vegetable broth will do if you have those on hand.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add the dry beans, chopped onions, and all other dry ingredients to the slow cooker.
Step Two – Pour over the chicken broth and stir.
Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours. Stir and serve. Enjoy!
How to Serve
- Serve slow cooker lima beans as a side dish with barbecue ribs, fried chicken, or grilled chicken.
- Pair with coleslaw and hot water corn bread (try my crockpot cornbread) or alongside a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- As for toppings, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, crispy fried onions or chopped green onions.
- These hearty beans are also absolutely delicious enough to serve as a main dish.
Recipe FAQs
Allow them to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Yes, slow cooker lima beans can be frozen. Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, you can add various ingredients for extra flavor. Some popular additions include bacon, smoked sausage, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, celery, herbs like thyme or rosemary, and spices such as paprika, cumin, or a creole seasoning.
You can still make yummy beans by using smoked turkey wings (or smoked turkey necks) or any other meat that will yield a smoky flavor. It’s a great recipe regardless.
More Slow Cooker Beans Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham
- Slow Cooker Black Beans
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
- Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
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Slow Cooker Lima Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried lima beans, no need to soak
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 6 cups chicken broth
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
For serving:
Instructions
- Add the dried lima beans to the slow cooker.
- Add the ham, onion, and seasonings.
- Pour over the chicken broth and stir.
- Cook on HIGH for 5 hours. Stir and serve!
Sarah’s Notes
- Lima beans can be frozen. Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Allow them to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Want to use something other than ham? You can still make yummy beans by using a ham hock, smoked turkey wings (or smoked turkey necks) or any other meat that will yield a smoky flavor. It’s a great recipe regardless.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Hi I read your recipe a couple of times no answer where do you put the ham the directions dosen’t say?
thanks
Greg
All of the ingredients, including the ham, go into the slow cooker at the very beginning. Just add the chicken broth last (so you won’t be splashing it out as you add the other ingredients), then stir it all up and cook it as directed.