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Wooden bowl of lima bean dip with bacon sprinkled on top and pita chips in background.
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5 from 6 votes

Southern Lima Bean Dip (with Shortcuts)

Flavorful baby lima beans (butterbeans) are blended and served with pita chips or corn chips as a Southern party dip. Perfect use of leftover Christmas lima beans for a New Years Eve party.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 50kcal
Cost: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 16-oz package frozen baby lima beans (2 cups fresh or frozen) No need to thaw first
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water (or Vegetable broth)
  • 3 cloves garlic halved or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 slices uncooked bacon
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or bacon drippings

Instructions

  • Combine lima beans, chicken broth (or water), garlic, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan or small Dutch oven.
  • Stack the bacon and slice into 1/4-inch wide pieces. Add about one-third of the pieces to the lima bean mixture.
  • Cover; bring up to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer the lima beans 20 to 25 minutes or until very soft.
  • Meanwhile, cook the remaining sliced pieces of bacon in a small skillet over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and browned; drain on a paper towel. Reserve the bacon drippings.
  • Drain the lima beans, keeping the bacon and garlic with them. Pour into a food processor or a large blender.
  • Process the lima bean mixture until smooth. Add enough olive oil to the reserved bacon drippings to make 2 tablespoons. (Or, just use 2 tablespoons olive oil.)
    Slowly pour the bacon drippings or oil through the food chute, while the processor is running
  • Spoon into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cooked, crisp bacon. Best when served warm.

Notes

Use leftover cooked lima beans: If you have 2 cups seasoned leftover lima beans cooked in ham hock or bacon, can you simply blend them in a food processor and serve.
Instant Pot Method: Cook lima beans in just 1 1/2 cups liquid along with uncooked bacon and seasonings. Cook frozen limas on High Pressure for 10 minutes. Quick Release pressure; drain.
Storage: This dip can be stored in the refrigerator up to 6 days and actually increases in flavor.
Shortcut: If using frozen, seasoned lima beans it adds extra flavor of onion and sometimes red or green bell pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 50kcal