This lima bean bake includes dried lima beans, bacon, and a flavorful seasoned tomato sauce. The sauce is a tangy mixture of tomatoes, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s an excellent way to enjoy dried lima beans, and makes a tasty budget meal.
Recipe Variations
- Spices: Incorporate a dash or two of cumin and some chili powder for spicy flavor.
- Cheese: Just before serving, sprinkle the lima beans with Parmesan cheese. Or melt some cheddar or mozzarella cheese on them.
- Vegetables: Add diced carrots, celery, bell peppers for additional flavor and nutrients.
- Meat: Replace the bacon with diced sautéed ham or add browned ground beef or sausage for a heartier dish.
Lima Bean Bake With Bacon
This lima bean bake with bacon is full of flavor and easy on the budget. Allow an overnight soak or plan to do a quick soak following the package directions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Overnight Soak: 8 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beans
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried lima beans
- 8 ounces bacon, diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-ounce can tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup water or stock
Instructions
Prepare the Beans
- Rinse the beans and pick them over. Discard any malformed beans or pebbles.
- Soak the beans overnight following the package directions or do a “quick soak” if it’s an option.
- Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a Dutch oven or large oven-safe saucepan. Add enough water to cover the beans. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender. Drain the beans and place them back in the pan.
Prepare and Combine the Remaining Ingredients
- Arrange the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain.
- Add the onion and continue cooking until softened and translucent. Transfer the cooked onion and bacon to the pot with the beans. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, brown sugar, salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and water or broth. Stir gently until combined. If the pot is not oven-safe, turn everything into a baking dish.
Bake
- Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Cover the pot and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 20 minutes longer or until the liquids have reduced.
