Lima Bean (butter beans)

Lima beans are more than just related to butter beans, they are the same thing! In the South, lima beans are often called butter beans and in the UK they almost exclusively refer to them as butter beans. It seems like a lot of people don’t like lima beans. I blame those unpleasant school lunch vegetable medleys, although I admit that lima beans can have a sort of starchy flavor that tastes sort of uncooked. Lima beans can be consumed in both their immature stage (fresh and green) as well as their mature (dried and beige). Americans tend to eat them in the immature stage mostly, but if you aren’t a lima lover, you might want to try them cooked from the dry stage, rather than the fresh. You can cook them yourself, which like all dried beans can take a long time of soaking and simmering, or you can get them canned. I find that the texture is creamier and the flavor is rich and buttery. Lima beans and butter beans add a protein-packing punch to soups, stews and even summer salads. Although slightly bland in taste, there is nothing unremarkable about the beans’ linguistic impact. This humble legume is not only called lima or butter bean depending on the region, but also assumes a slew of other identities.


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Sometimes called "butter beans" because of their starchy yet buttery texture, lima beans have a delicate flavor that complements a wide variety of dishes. Although fresh lima beans are often difficult to find, they are worth looking for in the summer and fall when they are in season. Dried and canned lima beans are available throughout the year.

The pod of the lima bean is flat, oblong and slightly curved, averaging about three inches in length. Within the pod are the two to four flat kidney-shaped seeds that we call lima beans. The seeds are generally cream or green in color, although certain varieties feature colors such as white, red, purple, brown or black.

H2 Butter bean’s nutrition profile

Butter beans contain a wealth of nutrients to keep your body in check, including but not limited to:

  • Fibre: helps you feel fuller for longer, and supports digestive health
  • Protein: are butter beans a good source of protein? They sure are! Each serving of butter beans contains more than five grams of protein. Your body can use butter bean’s protein content to help support tissues
  • Folate: one of the B-Vitamins that’s needed to make red and white blood cells as well as convert carbohydrates into energy
  • Iron: helps with general energy and cognitive function, as well as supporting the immune system
  • Starch: good for providing the body with quick energy

Health benefits

Butter bean’s benefits make them a great addition to any diet/ find out what the creamy beans can do for you!

But first, what are butter beans?

Let’s get one thing straight, butter beans have nothing to do with butter. They are a white-coloured pulse that develop a creamy texture when cooked.

  • They’re low in fat and calories
  • They contain antioxidants
  • They’re packed full of vitamins