butter bean
noun
1
chiefly Southern US and Midland US
a
: lima bean sense 2
Note: The name butter bean is used chiefly for either a small white or pale green lima bean or a large white to tannish lima bean.
For heartier appetites, a pair of succulent spring lamb chops cozy up to baby herbed lima beans (sometimes known as butter beans).—
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens… we sampled big, silk-textured butter beans shimmering in their juices …—Jane and Michael Stern
Jane and Michael Stern
b
: a plant (Phaseolus lunatus) that bears butter beans
2
: wax bean
3
: a green shell bean especially as opposed to a snap bean
Examples of butter bean in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vegetables were never cemented, but most recipes call for lima or butter beans, potatoes, corn, and okra.
—Craig Ruff, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025
Dishes include fresh tuna steak in olive oil and codfish filet with butter beans.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Dietary options: Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian Meal examples: Italian butter bean stew with croutons and Parmesan kale; creamy peanut noodles with gingered green beans and lime; green veggie burgers with tzatziki and garlic fries.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Lima Beans Lima beans, also known as butter beans, contain 13.41 grams of protein per cup.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024
Yes, butter beans and lima beans are the same thing.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024
The menu, just a dozen dishes long, is deceptively simple: chicory salad, butter beans, winter panzanella, roast chicken.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
That may seem like a profane addition to this Southern stew typically made with chicken, rabbit or squirrel plus tomatoes, butter beans, corn, potatoes and onions.
—Andrea Weigl, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Chicken Bog used to be a traditional meal in fish camps, cooked on the riverbanks in big black iron pots and served with butter beans and other local vegetables.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2022
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Craig Ruff, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025
Dishes include fresh tuna steak in olive oil and codfish filet with butter beans.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Dietary options: Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian Meal examples: Italian butter bean stew with croutons and Parmesan kale; creamy peanut noodles with gingered green beans and lime; green veggie burgers with tzatziki and garlic fries.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Lima Beans Lima beans, also known as butter beans, contain 13.41 grams of protein per cup.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024
Yes, butter beans and lima beans are the same thing.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024
The menu, just a dozen dishes long, is deceptively simple: chicory salad, butter beans, winter panzanella, roast chicken.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
That may seem like a profane addition to this Southern stew typically made with chicken, rabbit or squirrel plus tomatoes, butter beans, corn, potatoes and onions.
—Andrea Weigl, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Chicken Bog used to be a traditional meal in fish camps, cooked on the riverbanks in big black iron pots and served with butter beans and other local vegetables.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near butter bean
Cite this Entry
“Butter bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butter%20bean. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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