In Southern and Appalachian speech, butter beans means large lima beans used as a staple vegetable side dish. The term is deeply rooted in rural food culture where "butter beans" evoke home-cooking, garden harvests, and communal Sunday meals.
synonyms: lima beans, large shell beans, green-pod limas
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We all loved 'butter beans' growin' up - but it was the baby ones.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We all loved 'butter beans' growin' up - but it was the baby ones.
Pronunciation
[BUH-ter BEANS]
/ˈbʌtər biːnz/
Meaning & Usage
- A large lima bean used in Southern cooking (noun)
Food-and-family talk
Earl:
I’ll fix you a plate of those butter beans and some of Mamaw’s cornbread.
Jess:
That sounds fine - don’t forget the watermelon after.
variations: lima beans (in other regions), large lima beans
★ If someone around here says "butter beans," don’t assume they mean the small grocery-store limas. They mean the big ones - slow-cooked, seasoned, and done right. ★
Origin and Etymology
The term "butter beans" appears in Southern and Appalachian English by the mid-20th century (and likely earlier). It refers to the buttery texture and flavor of matured large lima beans, particularly in Southern gardens and kitchens. Because these beans were a common garden crop in the rural South, the term became part of regional food vocabulary. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Usage Notes
"Butter beans" remains a beloved phrase in the Southern and Appalachian U.S., especially among older generations and garden-rooted households. While the beans may be called "lima beans" elsewhere, in the South the phrase carries nostalgic weight. It can also evoke shared culture: "pass the butter beans" means a familiar comfort food more than just a vegetable.
What’s the difference between "butter beans" and "lima beans"?
In the South, "butter beans" usually means the large, flat, matured lima bean used in traditional cooking; "lima beans" is the broader term used elsewhere. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Are butter beans still used today?
Yes - though garden-growing is less common, many Southern cooks still serve them fresh, frozen, or canned. They’re often paired with cornbread, fatback, or greens. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Why the name "butter bean"?
Because of the creamy texture and buttery flavor the mature beans have when cooked; historically the name became standard in Southern kitchens. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 25). Butter Beans. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/butter-beans
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Butter Beans." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/butter-beans.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Butter Beans." HillbillySlang.com. October 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/butter-beans.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
We all loved 'butter beans' growin' up - but it was the baby ones.