The Difference Between Lima Beans and Butter Beans (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Lima Beans and Butter Beans? ›

There is no difference between lima beans and butter beans, though you can find them for sale at different stages of maturity. The younger green-hued beans, usually identified as baby lima beans, have a starchy texture similar to raw fava beans (which some describe as mealy). You can consume them fresh or cooked.

Lima Beans vs. Butter Beans. Well, rest assured; the two are actually one in the same. There's no difference between lima beans and butter beans, though sometimes they're sold at different stages of maturity.

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

Cannellini beans are a great substitute for butter beans due to their similar size and texture. They have a mild, nutty flavor that can complement a wide range of dishes, making them a versatile option for soups, stews, and salads.

Meanwhile, the rest of the bean-eating world labels them limas. They're flat and chewy, with a mild flavor and a coloring that ranges from pea-green to off-white.”

With lima beans, I have noticed they still cook tender if you skip soaking. Soaking limas can sometimes break down the beans, resulting in lots of small broken pieces. If you prefer to soak your lima beans, place them in a large bowl of water for at least 4 to 8 hours.

Lima Beans. While they're all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they're typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they're known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean's point of origin).

Some people may find that eating lima beans gives them gas and makes them feel bloated. This is because of their high fiber content. They also contain a particular type of fiber that, although helpful for gut health, is tough for your digestive system to break down. You can cut down on the gas by cooking them well.

Expert Response. You should not eat limas if they are bitter because they are probably high in cyanogenic glucosides. Normally this is only a problem in wild limas, but can occur in cultivated varieties even though lima bean breeders do have to measure cyanide content before they release a new variety.

Lima beans are super nutritious. They're a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, folate, zinc, copper, potassium, thiamine, and more. Plus, studies show that eating beans may promote fat loss and that peeps who eat lots of beans tend to have less body fat than folks who don't.

Are butter beans good for diabetics? ›

Diabetic people indeed need food like beans because they are high in insoluble fiber. Lima beans are one of those meals that are healthy and would cause any spike in blood sugar. Lima beans also known as butter beans have a buttery texture and a great flavor that compliments most meals.

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

The only noticeable difference is that butter beans contain a small amount of fat while cannellini beans have none. Now that you know the main differences between these two popular beans, how do choose the right variety for your next main course?

You'll see them labeled in different ways in the store, after all: frozen lima beans, canned butter beans, dried large limas—or is it dried large butter beans? Turns out, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing. Both terms refer to the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

Why Is It Dangerous to Eat Raw Lima Beans? Raw lima beans contain a compound called linamarin, which turns into cyanide when consumed. Though you're likely not sitting around eating raw lima beans, it's important to keep them away from children and to make sure that, when you are cooking them, you're doing it properly.

Lima beans are a vegetable that is part of the legume family. The proper name for the lima bean plant is “lunatus” which means “half-moon” and refers to the shape of the bean. The small white seeds are the legumes, and the green shell is the pod. The pod should be removed before eating.

Folks in the American South and the United Kingdom typically call them butter beans (Southerners do love their butter). In the rest of the U.S., they're known as lima beans, after their origin in the city of Lima, Peru.

Butter beans are rich in vitamins and minerals, which are important for overall health. A source of potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and zinc, they also contain calcium and protein. Both plant-based foodies and meat-lovers can really benefit from adding butter beans to their diet.

The butter bean is a moon-shaped, beige-colored bean that is often lumped in with other white beans of similar shape and size. It specifically comes from a plant called Phaseolus lunatus which, for all those non-Latin speakers out there, means “moon-shaped bean.”

Lima Beans

Lima beans are also commonly called butter beans for their buttery, rich flavor, and velvety texture. Popular in Southern American dishes, lima beans are the main ingredient in a classic succotash and are common to add to casseroles, soups, or simmered with pork to serve as a savory side dish.