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Butter Beans and Ham

Butter Beans and Ham recipe

Butter beans and ham is a classic, hearty dish that combines tender, creamy butter beans with savory ham.

Ingredients

Units Scale
1 pound large butter beans or baby lima beans 1 large smoked ham hock or leftover baked ham 1 medium size yellow onion, quartered 3 cloves garlic, peeled 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon butter 1 medium size yellow onion, finely chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and stir in the beans, ham hock, quartered onion, garlic and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
  2. Drain the beans, reserving all of the liquid and discarding the onions, garlic and bay leaves.
  3. Transfer the beans to a bowl and the ham hock to a cutting board. Cut the meat into small pieces. Discard the bone.
  4. In the same saucepan, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until tender.
  5. Stir in the ham and enough reserved bean liquid to make the beans soupy; bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in the beans, red pepper sauce, salt and black pepper. Heat for 3 minutes.

Notes

Photo credit: jeffreyw on Flickr / CC BY