Smoky Garlic Butter Beans
On November 01, 2024
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Creamy butter beans slow smoked with garlic and butter, seasoned with fresh parsley and my savory Chicken Rub, for the perfect comfort food dish.
Smoky Garlic Butter Beans
I’ve transformed humble butter beans into something extraordinary with this recipe. These creamy, tender beans are slowly smoked with fresh garlic and rich butter, then finished with bright parsley and a hit of lemon juice. The result is pure comfort food that’s equally as delicious as a supporting side for your BBQ spread, or as a hearty main dish. The slow smoking process allows these beans to absorb subtle smoky flavor while getting infused with garlic and herbs. They’re perfect for Sunday dinner, potlucks, or any time you want to wow with this irresistible dish. Grab a skillet, fire up your smoker, and let’s make some Butter Beans!
What are butter beans?
Butter beans are actually mature lima beans, and they get their name from their rich, buttery texture when cooked. These large, cream-colored beans are different from smaller, green lima bean or great northern beans. Lima beans are harvested when young and tender, butter beans are allowed to fully ripen. This gives them a creamier texture and deeper flavor. They’re especially popular in Southern cuisine as a side or a main dish. This smoked version gives an already rich, creamy dish a layer of smoky flavor you just can’t beat.
Dried Beans vs Canned Beans
You’ve got a few different options when it comes to the beans you use for your butter beans. I used canned beans for this recipe so I just had to drain and rinse them. If you go with dried beans, you’ll want to soak them to rehydrate. I’ve tried that method in the past, but I don’t think the finished product is worth the effort. You’ll still get totally creamy butter beans with canned beans, but do whatever works best for you here.
Soaking Butter Beans
If you do decide to go the dried bean route, it’s a pretty simple process. All you need to do is place your beans in an aluminum pan or baking dish, then add in 4 cups of water per pound of beans (8 cups for this recipe). Next, place your beans in the refrigerator and allow your beans to soak for at least 8 hours. You can go up to 24 hours, but I highly recommend letting them soak for at least 8 hours. After that, you can drain and rinse them just as you would with canned beans, and you’re ready to go.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Beans
After you get a taste of these indulgent Butter Beans, you won’t believe how simple the recipe is. Once you’ve made your bean choice, you just need this handful of common ingredients you likely have on hand already:
- 2 pound butter beans or large white lima beans
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup white onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub (or your favorite seasoning)
- ¼ cup fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
How Long to Smoke Butter Beans
This recipe uses a slow smoking method to give your beans time to take on all the rich smoke and allow the flavors to marry. You want to set your smoker for 225 degrees F, or you can do this recipe on your stovetop. You want to smoke your beans for 2 hours, giving them time to simmer and develop the layers of flavor. You’re looking for tender but firm beans that hold their shape. After a couple hours bathing in smoke, your beans are ready to top off and enjoy.
Susie’s Butter Beans Pro Tip
You can stir your beans 1-2 times in the first hour of smoking if you like, but let them simmer after that. If you stir too much or too late in the process, you’ll end up with mushy beans. For the best beans, let them be.
How to Make Butter Beans on the Smoker
These butter beans come together with just a few simple steps. The key is taking your time to let the flavors develop and give the beans time to become perfectly tender. If you’re using dried beans, make sure you soak them first, then follow these easy steps:
- Drain and rinse beans. A thorough rinse ensures your beans are clean and ready to absorb all those wonderful smoky flavors. Set them aside until you’re ready to add them in.
- Preheat smoker. Set your smoker to 225 degrees F for slow smoking and preheat a large cast iron skillet. You can also do this on your stovetop if you don’t have a smoker.
- Make beans. First melt your butter to give those beans an extra layer of richness, then add your diced onion until fragrant and translucent. Do the same with your garlic, and cook 1-2 minutes. After that, pour in your chicken stock, then stir in your beans. You want to stir well, ensuring all your beans get a buttery coating.
- Smoke beans. Next up, close the lid and allow your beans to cook for around 2 hours. The slow smoking process allows the beans to become tender while soaking up subtle wood smoke and garlic. You can stir them gently 1-2 times the first hour, but leave them to smoke the second hour. If you over-stir, you’ll end up with mushy beans.
- Season and serve. Once your beans are perfectly smoked, pull your skillet and garnish with some fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley and lemon juice to brighten up these rich, smoky beans. Serve warm as a hearty side or comforting main dish.
Storing and Using Leftovers
A great thing about these Butter Beans is how easily they store and reheat if you have leftovers. Once you’re done enjoying your beans, allow them to cool to room temperature and then place in an airtight container and store in your fridge. Your beans will still taste great for 3-4 more days. After that, your beans may become mushy and you’ll want to make a fresh batch. When you’re ready to enjoy your beans again, you can place them in your skillet over medium heat until warm again.
More Bean Recipes
If you love this Butter Beans recipe, there’s plenty more where that came from. I’ve got over 600 awesome BBQ recipes available in the Hey Grill Hey App, including more beautiful beans. For now, here are a few of my favorites to try next:
Smoked Butter Bean Recipe
Butter your family up with this delicious Butter Beans recipe, then butter me up by giving it a 5-star rating. Make sure you tag @heygrillhey on Facebook and Instagram with some photos, so we can all get inspired to fire up the smoker.
If you’re looking for more recipes to round out your BBQ menu, make sure to check out my YouTube channel. I’ve got how-to recipes for all my most popular recipes, plus grill care, BBQ tips and tricks, and a whole lot more to help you become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Smoky Garlic Butter Beans
Ingredients
- 2 pound butter beans or large white lima beans
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub
- 6 cups chicken stock
- ¼ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Drain and rinse beans. Drain and rinse your beans, then set them aside until ready to add.2 pound butter beans or large white lima beans
- Preheat smoker. Set your smoker to 225. You can do this on the stovetop as well with a lid.
- Prepare beans. Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Melt your butter, then add diced onion and stir until translucent. Add garlic cloves, cook 1-2 more minutes until fragrant. Pour in chicken stock and Chicken Rub, then stir in the beans, making sure all are coated evenly.2 Tablespoons salted butter, ½ cup white onion, 4 cloves garlic, 6 cups chicken stock, 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Chicken Rub
- Smoke beans. Place skillet directly on smoker grates, close lid, and allow to smoke for around 2 hours. Avoid stirring after the first hour.
- Season and serve. Pull from smoker and add lemon juice, parsley. You don’t want to cook these, but you do want to add them warm. Allow to cool a moment, then serve and enjoy.¼ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
When you say 2 lbs of butter beans does that refer to 2 cans of beans? (Goya 15.5 oz cans)
Great question! Yes, and we’ll note that for the next update.
This looks really good and I would like to try it out. What flavor wood pellets did you use?
I used maple for this recipe, but you could also use alder or pecan. I’d stick to something mild unless you really love a certain wood, because the beans take on a lot of smoky flavor.