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–+ servings
Close-up of creamy Southern lima beans (butter beans) in a white bowl with a spoon.

Creamy Southern Lima Beans (Butter Beans) with Turkey Wing Tips

By Cree
Creamy Southern Lima Beans (Butter Beans) with Turkey Wing Tips
These creamy Southern lima beans or butter beans, as we sometimes call them, is my way of keeping my family's tradition. They're tender, creamy, and a little smoky.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Soak Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Calories: 448kcal
Creamy Southern Lima Beans (Butter Beans) with Turkey Wing Tips

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Cutting board
  • measuring cup
  • Measuring spoon
  • Paper towels to pat dry the turkey wing tips

Ingredients 

Turkey Wing Tips

  • 1 lbs turkey wing tips (cut from turkey wings)
  • ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning (to season the turkey wing tips)
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt (to season the turkey wing tips)
  • 3 tablespoon avocado oil (or other neutral cooking oil: vegetable or canola oil)

Dried Lima Beans (Butter Beans)

  • 2 lbs large lima beans (2- 1lb bag of dried lima beans)
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 yellow onion (or sweet onion - diced)
  • 5 whole garlic cloves (minced)
  • 9 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base (Reduced Sodium)
  • 9 cups water
  • ½ tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Wash the bell peppers, pat them dry with a paper towel, and dice them. Set aside. Peel the outer skin from the onion and garlic. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  • Place dried beans in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for a few hours. During soaking, the skins may soften and pull away from the beans—if you see loose skins floating, go ahead and discard them. This step shortens cooking time.
  • After soaking, rinse the lima beans, remove debris or any oddly shaped beans, and drain well.
  • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey wing tips (seasoned with Cajun seasoning and kosher salt) and brown them until golden - about 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip them over and continue searing. This builds that flavorful foundation.
  • To a measuring cup, add the beef-flavored 'Better Than Bouillon' and the water and mix. You will use this as the braising liquid.
  • Add the cleaned lima beans, pour in the braising liquid, and toss in the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Then, your seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper). Bring everything to a gentle boil.
  • Lower the heat to a low simmer. Place the lid on the pot in a slightly tilted position. Simmer for 1-½ hours until the beans are tender; more time may be needed. If the beans are not tender, continue to simmer on low until they are. Try a few beans to check the texture.
  • Finish with seasoning - add salt, onion, and garlic powder, and pepper, or other spices until the flavor is exactly how you want it to be. Add a little at a time, especially kosher salt, and serve.

Notes

    • Soaking beans in hot water for a few hours helps them cook more evenly and reduces overall simmering time.
    • During soaking, some skins may loosen and float to the top. Just scoop those out and discard them.
    • Sear the turkey wing tips for maximum flavor in your broth.
    • Gentle simmering gives you that creamy, velvety broth without needing cream.
    • The best way to know your beans are done is by tasting. Cook until they’re as tender as you like.
    • Add your final seasoning after the beans are tender. This way, you can add salt and spices to your taste.
    • Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days. The flavors meld overnight, making them even more delicious.
    • Reheat on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1064mg | Potassium: 2070mg | Fiber: 23g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 9mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

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