Often eschewed in favor of their popular bean counterparts, like green beans or favas, lima beans, aka butter beans, are a great source of protein and fiber and absolutely delicious in this heart-healthy soup.
Bursting with flavor and wholesome goodness, this one-pot soup is perfect for chilly evenings or as a light meal any time of the year. We also love it with shredded chicken or ham, with a sprinkling of cheese or all by itself with a crusty loaf of bread.
With only 10 minutes of prep time, this lima bean soup recipe goes from pot to bowl in 30 minutes and can be made with canned, pantry-friendly ingredients whenever you’re in the mood for a chunky chowder.
Ingredients for Lima Bean Soup
- Chicken broth: The warming base for this soup is three cans of chicken broth, although you could use stock or bone broth. You could even turn leftover chicken bones into homemade chicken broth, which will increase the flavors of your soup tenfold.
- Lima beans: You’ll need two cans of lima beans for this soup. Looking to cut down on excess sodium? Use frozen or fresh beans.
- Carrots: A mirepoix mix of onions, celery and carrots imparts deep flavors and a richer taste to your soup.
- Potatoes: Potatoes give this soup a chunky, toothsome texture. Any medium-size potatoes will do, such as red or Yukon golds.
- Red peppers: The sweet red peppers in this recipe complement the mild veggies with their juicy texture and grassy taste once cooked. Want to go one step further? Try caramelizing the peppers before adding them to the pot, or opt for a jar of roasted or fire-roasted red peppers for heat.
- Onions: A white or yellow onion is best here. You’ll need two small onions for this recipe.
- Celery: Celery is the third holy grail ingredient in a mirepoix and a chowder staple that’s high in fiber and antioxidants, but low in calories.
- Butter: Butter and butter beans go hand in hand, upping the creamy, silky nature of this soup.
- Dried herbs: Dried marjoram and oregano lend spicy, minty, earthy notes to this soup and help season the veggies.
- Half-and-half: A cup of half-and-half cream at the end gives a velvety finish.
- Bacon: Crisped-to-perfection and crumbled bits of bacon are the perfect garnish.
Directions
Step 1: Prep your veggies
Peel and dice the potatoes, thinly slice the carrots and celery, and chop the peppers and onions.
Step 2: Combine and cook the soup ingredients
In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine all the ingredients except the half-and-half and bacon, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 25 to 35 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 3: Finish with cream and bacon
Finally, add the cream and heat through, but don’t boil. Sprinkle the soup with bacon just before serving.
Lima Bean Soup Variations
- Get cheesy: In addition to bacon, a smattering of grated Parmesan cheese would be delicious in this bean soup.
- Go ham: Add a ham bone to your pot as your soup simmers away for a richer, homemade flavor.
- Try a vegan version: For a completely dairy and meat-free version of this soup, swap the half-and-half for coconut cream and the chicken broth for veggie broth. Instead of crumbled bacon bits, opt for crispy tempeh as a garnish.
How to Store Lima Bean Soup
Leftovers are why we make soup in the first place! Divvy up any extra lima bean soup into sealed, airtight containers, then place some in the refrigerator and some in the freezer. Cooked soup can stay fresh in the fridge for three to five days, while frozen soup will be good for two to three months.
Lima Bean Soup Tips
How can I reheat lima bean soup?
Let your soup thaw overnight or for a few hours in the refrigerator before reheating it in a saucepan over medium heat. If it’s looking a little too thick, you can add more broth or a bit of cream. Just don’t let the cream reach a boiling point while you’re reheating the soup.
Are lima beans and butter beans the same thing?
Indeed they are. Identifiable by their greenish color and double bean shape, limas and butter beans are one and the same.
Are lima beans good for you?
This is a big yes! They are known to help lower cholesterol, aid with weight loss and improve digestion, thanks to all the protein and fiber these beans pack.
How do I make lima bean soup less bland?
You can easily add more oomph to this recipe for lima bean soup. If the dried herbs don’t do it for you in the flavor department, try adding fresh herbs like dill, rosemary or thyme. You could even give it a Cajun kick with some Creole seasoning.
How do I make my soup creamier?
Try adding a little creme fraiche, Dijon mustard or a combination of the two.
