Instant Pot Lima Beans

Name: Instant Pot Lima Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lima beans; 4 1/2 cups chicken stock; 1 ham hock; 1/2 onion (diced); 1 garlic clove (minced); 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 sprig fresh Thyme; 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; 1 bay leaf; 1 lemon (to serve)

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These Instant Pot Lima Beans are tender and creamy with meaty ham hock and Cajun seasoning. They take just 25 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, and make a quick and easy side dish or comforting meal!

You guys, this is quick and easy comfort food at its best! Normally, cooking beans is a lengthy process, from soaking to long cooking times.

Overhead view of cooked lima beans in a bowl.

But, thanks to the Instant Pot, lima beans take just 25 minutes to cook on high pressure and there’s no soaking required!

In my opinion, the Instant Pot is the best way to cook legumes. This Instant Pot bean soup and Instant Pot split pea soup are both hearty, delicious and super simple to make in the Instant Pot!

And we are also huge fans of this instant pot red beans and rice and instant pot black beans and rice!

This is an easy dump and go recipe, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Just add the ingredients to the Instant Pot, seal the valve and let it work its magic.

Once cooked, you can drain the beans and enjoy them as a side dish, or ladle them up and serve as a hearty soup with some crusty bread or Instant Pot cornbread!

Check out the Instant Pot lima beans story!

Lima beans and ham hock served up in a white bowl.

What are lima beans?

Lima beans, also called butter beans, are white beans that have a creamy and buttery texture once cooked. You can get baby or large lima beans, and they’re available dried, frozen or canned.

Why this recipe works

It’s a dump and go recipe, so you don’t need to tend to the beans while they cook in a pot on the stove.
It’s also a time saving recipe as you don’t need to soak the beans and the Instant Pot cooks the beans much quicker than on the stovetop.
Lima beans are a good source of fiber and plant-based protein.
If you have a leftover ham bone in the freezer from the holidays, you can use it in place of the ham hock in the recipe!

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

You’ll need 1 pound of lima beans for this recipe. Make sure you’re using dried and not canned or frozen.

The beans require a lot of liquid for cooking, so we’re using 4 ½ cups of chicken stock. As the ham hock is salty, I like to use low sodium chicken stock or even homemade like this Instant Pot chicken bone broth.

Speaking of ham hock, it’s also called pork knuckle and comes from the lower leg of the pig. If you can’t find ham hock, you can also use a leftover ham bone.

The seasoning for these beans includes onion, garlic, black pepper, fresh thyme, bay leaf and Cajun seasoning. (Here’s an easy recipe for homemade Cajun seasoning).

Don’t forget the fresh lemon for serving!

Step by step instructions

Combine all the ingredients (except lemon) in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 25 minutes.

Overhead view of the ingredients for lima beans in the Instant Pot.

Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.

Expert tips

Make sure you’re using enough broth to cover the beans so they cook properly.
With that said, don’t overfill the Instant Pot as the cooking liquid may foam up as the beans cook.
The ham hock is plenty salty, so the recipe doesn’t call for additional salt. Taste the beans before serving and add more salt if you need to.
You can substitute a ham bone for the ham hock.
The recipe results in soft and creamy butter beans. If you prefer them a little firmer, cook them for a few minutes less.
Be sure to let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes as the beans will continue to cook during this time.
While the cook time is 25 minutes on high in the Instant Pot, you’ll also need to factor in time for pressure to build and release.

Close up view of lima beans in a bowl with pieces of ham hock.

Common questions

Do you need to soak lima beans before cooking them in the Instant Pot?

No need to soak the beans first! If you end up soaking them, you will need to reduce the cooking time and liquid in the Instant Pot. I do recommend picking them over before cooking and even giving them a rinse to remove any dirt or debris.

Can you cook frozen lima beans in the Instant Pot?

This recipe has been tested with dried lima beans. If you use frozen, you will need to adjust the cooking time.

Can you make these beans in advance?

Yes, they’re great for meal prep and I think they taste even better the next day! Just store the cooked beans in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to enjoy.

Can you make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Just replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and leave out the ham hock. As the ham adds a lot of flavor, you’ll need to add more seasonings and salt to the beans as they cook.

My lima beans are still hard, what should I do?

After the pressure releases, if your lima beans are still too firm for you, just seal the valve again and pressure cook for another 5 minutes.

How do you serve lima beans?

These beans are hearty enough to enjoy on their own. Just serve them in their broth with a side of crusty bread or air fryer biscuits. If you’re enjoying them as a side dish, they pair nicely with sous vide brisket or crispy sous vide fried chicken!

Side view of Instant Pot lima beans in a white bowl.

Storage, freezing and reheating

Store leftover cooked lima beans in the cooking liquid in the fridge for 4-5 days.

You can also freeze cooked lima beans. Just let them cool completely in the fridge. Then, divide them into freezer safe containers or bags and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To reheat, warm the beans in their cooking liquid on the stovetop or in the microwave. They may thicken a bit in the fridge, so feel free to add a little more broth. If the beans have been frozen, let them defrost first before reheating.

Other Instant Pot recipes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!