f you’re looking for a pot of beans that tastes like it’s been simmering in somebody’s Southern kitchen all afternoon, these Southern Lima Beans with Smoked Turkey are it. They’re creamy, smoky, savory, and packed with flavor from tender smoked turkey wings, the Creole trinity, garlic, chicken stock, butter, and plenty of seasoning.

This is the kind of Southern comfort food that doesn’t need much convincing. Give me a big bowl of these lima beans with some hot cornbread on the side, and I’m good.

If you love this recipe, check out my other favorites Creamy Chicken Spaghetti & Red Beans and Rice

Moreover, Instead of using ham hocks or other pork products, we’re making these lima beans with smoked turkey wings. The turkey gives you that same deep, smoky flavor while also adding plenty of tender meat to the finished dish.

And we’re not just throwing everything in the pot at once. We’re going to sear our smoked turkey first, cook down our trinity and garlic in all that flavor, and then let the turkey simmer in chicken stock until it starts getting tender. That’s how we build a pot of lima beans that tastes like it has been cooking all day.

Are Lima Beans and Butter Beans the Same Thing?

Let’s clear this up because depending on where you’re from, you’ve probably heard both names.

Lima beans and butter beans generally refer to the same type of bean, although the terminology can vary by region and by the size or maturity of the bean.

In the South, you’ll often hear large, mature lima beans called butter beans because of their creamy texture and buttery flavor once cooked.

For this recipe, I’m using dried large lima beans. Once they slowly simmer in that smoky chicken stock, they become tender and creamy while still having enough structure to hold up to the smoked turkey.

So whether you found this recipe searching for Southern lima beans, Southern butter beans, or soul food butter beans with smoked turkey, you’re in the right place.

Why You’ll Love These Southern Lima Beans

There is a whole lot of flavor happening in one pot.

Smoky and savory. Smoked turkey wings season the broth as they cook and give these beans that deep, slow-cooked Southern flavor.

Creamy without adding cream. As the lima beans cook, they release starch into the broth. Simmering them uncovered toward the end turns that broth thick and creamy without needing heavy cream.

Made without pork. Smoked turkey gives you plenty of smoky flavor without using bacon or ham hocks.

Perfect for leftovers. Like gumbo and red beans, these lima beans might taste even better after sitting overnight.

Easy enough for Sunday dinner. Most of the cooking time is hands-off. Once everything gets into the pot, you just have to give it time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Large Lima Beans

Dried large lima beans are the star of the recipe. As they slowly cook, they become incredibly tender and develop that signature creamy, buttery texture.

Smoked Turkey Wings

This is where we’re getting a lot of our flavor. The smoked turkey seasons the broth while it cooks and eventually becomes tender enough to pull right off the bone.

The Trinity

If you’ve cooked with me before, you already know where we’re going.

Onion, bell pepper, and celery.

The trinity creates the aromatic base for the entire pot. Cooking the vegetables in the same pot where we seared the smoked turkey means we’re picking up even more flavor.

Garlic

Because the trinity needed a friend. Fresh garlic adds another layer of savory flavor to the beans.

Chicken Stock

Instead of cooking our lima beans in plain water, we’re using chicken stock to build flavor from the beginning.

You’ll want roughly 8–10 cups total, but keep some extra nearby. Dried beans can absorb a surprising amount of liquid.

Butter

It’s only one tablespoon, but that little bit of butter gives the broth some extra richness and complements the naturally buttery texture of the lima beans.

Vinegar

Don’t skip this.

A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end isn’t going to make your beans taste like vinegar. The acidity cuts through the richness of the beans and smoked turkey and helps brighten up the entire pot.

Seasonings

This is where you can really make the pot your own.

I use Bayou City All Purpose Seasoning and Bayou City Garlic Pepper Seasoning along with smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaves, and a little cayenne when I want some heat.

Just remember that smoked turkey, chicken stock, and seasoning blends can already contain salt, so taste before adding additional salt.

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How to Make Southern Lima Beans with Smoked Turkey

Step 1: Sear the Smoked Turkey Wings

We’re starting with flavor.

Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and sear the smoked turkey wings until you get some nice browning on the outside.

We’re not trying to cook the turkey through. We just want to develop some color and leave those flavorful browned bits behind in the bottom of our pot.

Remove the turkey and set it aside.

Step 2: Cook Down the Trinity

Add your diced onion, bell pepper, and celery directly into the same pot.

Let the vegetables cook until they soften, then add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.

Your kitchen should already be smelling right at this point.

Step 3: Build the Smoked Turkey Broth

Return the smoked turkey wings to the pot and add about 6 cups of chicken stock along with the bay leaves.

Bring everything up to a simmer, cover the pot, and let the smoked turkey cook until it begins getting nice and tender.

This step is important.

Instead of adding our beans immediately, we’re giving the smoked turkey a head start. As it simmers, all that smoky flavor works its way into the chicken stock and creates the broth our lima beans are eventually going to absorb.

Step 4: Add the Lima Beans

Once the turkey has started getting tender, add your rinsed large lima beans.

Pour in enough additional chicken stock to cover the beans by about an inch.

Now add your butter, seasonings, and splash of vinegar.

Give everything a good stir, bring it back to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and let those beans cook.

Step 5: Let Them Get Tender

Cook the lima beans over low to medium-low heat until they’re completely tender.

Check on them periodically and give everything a stir.

More importantly, watch your liquid level.

Dried lima beans will continue absorbing that flavorful broth as they cook. If the liquid gets too low before the beans are tender, add another splash of chicken stock.

Step 6: Get That Turkey Off the Bone

Once the smoked turkey is fall-apart tender, remove the wings from the pot.

Let them cool enough to handle, then pull the meat from the bones. Discard the bones, skin, and any tough pieces and return that tender smoked turkey meat to the pot.

Now every scoop gets beans AND turkey.

Exactly how it should be.

Step 7: Thicken the Beans

This is where we take them from good to GOOD.

Once your lima beans are tender, remove the lid and continue cooking them uncovered.

As some of the liquid evaporates, the starch from the beans naturally thickens the broth and gives you that creamy Southern-style consistency.

If you want them even creamier, take the back of your spoon and mash a few lima beans against the side of the pot. Stir those mashed beans back into the broth and let everything simmer for a few more minutes.

That’s all you need.

Tips for the Best Southern Lima Beans

Give the smoked turkey time. You want that meat tender enough to easily pull away from the bone. Giving it a head start before adding the beans also creates a much more flavorful broth.

Keep your heat under control. A gentle simmer is what we’re looking for. Boiling the beans aggressively can cause them to break apart before they’re evenly tender.

Don’t let your pot dry out. Keep extra chicken stock nearby. If your beans need more cooking time but most of the broth has been absorbed, add more stock.

Wait for the beans to thicken naturally. Your beans might look a little soupy when they’re first tender. That’s okay. Simmer them uncovered and watch how quickly that broth starts coming together.

Taste before adding salt. Smoked turkey and chicken stock can bring quite a bit of sodium on their own.

Don’t forget the acid. That splash of vinegar might seem small, but it makes a difference. Acidity wakes up a long-simmered dish and balances all that savory richness.

Do I Need to Soak Lima Beans Before Cooking?

Not necessarily.

You can cook dried lima beans without soaking them, but they’ll usually take longer.

For a more predictable cooking time, soak your dried lima beans overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the recipe.

If you forgot to soak them, don’t let that stop you from making dinner. Just plan for additional simmering time and keep extra chicken stock handy.

What to Serve with Southern Lima Beans

These beans can easily be a meal on their own because you’ve got plenty of tender smoked turkey throughout the pot.

But if we’re putting together a real Southern spread, you’ve got options.

Serve your Southern lima beans with:

• Southern Cornbread
• Fried Chicken
• Southern Fried Cabbage
• Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
• Southern Collard Greens
• Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Easy Roasted Chicken

Personally, give me a bowl of lima beans with smoked turkey, a piece of hot cornbread, and some hot sauce nearby and I’m not asking for much else.

Frequently Asked Questions

What meat goes best with lima beans?

Smoked meats work especially well with Southern-style lima beans because they add flavor to the cooking liquid. Smoked turkey wings are one of my favorites because you get both a rich, smoky broth and tender pieces of turkey throughout the finished dish.

Can I use smoked turkey instead of ham hocks in lima beans?

Yes. Smoked turkey wings are an excellent substitute for ham hocks in Southern lima beans. They provide plenty of smoky flavor and tender meat without using pork.

Are large lima beans the same as butter beans?

The terms are commonly used interchangeably, particularly in Southern cooking. Large, mature lima beans are often called butter beans because of their creamy texture and buttery flavor when cooked.

Why are my lima beans not getting tender?

Older dried beans can take considerably longer to soften. Acidic ingredients can also affect softening, which is one reason you can reserve the vinegar until the beans are mostly tender if your beans tend to take a long time. Keep the beans at a gentle simmer with enough cooking liquid and give them time.

How do you thicken Southern lima beans?

Once your lima beans are tender, remove the lid and simmer them uncovered. The cooking liquid will reduce while starch from the beans helps create a thicker broth. You can also mash a few beans against the side of the pot and stir them back into the broth.

Can I make lima beans without soaking them overnight?

Yes. Unsoaked dried lima beans can be cooked successfully, but they’ll generally require more time and potentially more chicken stock.

Also, Make sure to tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook when you make this recipe! I want to see your creation and give you a shoutout!

There are some recipes where you don’t need to reinvent anything. You just need to cook them right.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing with these Southern Lima Beans with Smoked Turkey.

For added flavor, try my Bayou City Seasonings. Hand crafted for a full experience and taste of what’s cooking in my kitchen, you have to try my seasonings! Guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.