Although canned lima beans are convenient, learning how to cook frozen lima beans gives you more options. As a result, you can create more diverse recipes.
Cooking frozen lima beans is one of the simplest ways to get more plant-based, healthy protein in your diet. But where do you start? This guide will give you a quick rundown on how to cook frozen lima beans.
What Are Lima Beans?
Tasty and healthy, lima beans are a secret weapon. Lima beans are pale beige or light green-colored beans commonly produced in the United States. These beans come from the plant Phaseolus Lunatus and are available in different varieties.
Fresh lima beans have a smooth texture and a rich flavor with a touch of sweetness. Therefore, they complement various flavors and dishes. On the other hand, dry lima beans have a slightly grassy, earthier flavor than fresh lima beans. But, when they are cooked, they are buttery and creamy.
Lima beans can be considered medium-sized beans and are oval-shaped. They tend to retain their shape after the cooking process. And this makes them more versatile and easy to pair with other ingredients.
How To Cook Frozen Lima Beans
Frozen lima beans require less preparation time than dried lima beans. And you don’t have to defrost them before cooking.
If you thaw them before cooking, they might become soggy. But sticking with the following cooking method is best when determining how to cook frozen lima beans.
- In a pot, combine vegetable oil or butter with a dash of salt, brown sugar, and garlic powder. And add 1 ½ cups chicken broth for flavor and enough water to cover.
- Let the water boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer for two minutes or until the brown sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add one bag of frozen lima beans, turn the heat down, and cover the pot.
- Let the beans simmer until the lima beans are perfectly tender. You can also sprinkle additional seasonings in for extra flavor.
- Remove the pot from the stove and leave the beans to soak in the liquid for 10 minutes.
- Drain the lima beans from the pot and garnish with crispy bacon pieces or black pepper.
- Serve with a delicious chicken or even a vegetable dish. Alternatively, you can store the leftovers in the fridge for later.
Conclusion
Lima beans are versatile and easy to prepare. Even if you’ve never cooked frozen lima beans before, it’s an incredibly straightforward process to follow. And our above step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen lima beans is simple enough for any beginner to follow.