Fitness / May 18, 2023

Classic Succotash Recipe

A quintessential American dish that’s chock-full of vegetables — onion, corn, pepper, and tomatoes — with just a bit of bacon for taste. Serve this succotash as a side or load it up with more goodies for a savory entrée.

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Admit it, your exposure to succotash begins and ends with Looney Tunes.

It’s okay. I am the same way. Heck, I didn’t even know it was something you ate!

In any case, it wasn’t until I got older that I saw it on a menu at a restaurant that featured traditional American cuisine. Yes, pork chops, apple pie… the whole nine yards. Also on that menu was succotash, which sounded amazing. I didn’t order it (hey, I was young and unadventurous!) but someone else at my table did and, let me tell you, it looked and smelled so good. The scent of the spices had me overlooking my own meal for theirs, while the oodles of veggies (with just a bit of bacon) had me salivating (yes, onto my own plate… I definitely disrespected that burger I ordered).

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Get the ‘tash whenever possible.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

The combination of smoked bacon, vegetables, and fresh herbs is really delicious.
It is easy to make and perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
The lima beans are a great source of plant-based protein.

What Is Succotash?

Succotash is an American dish with Native-American roots. It typically consists of corn kernels and lima beans (also known as butter beans) that are cooked together with other vegetables, then seasoned with herbs and spices (think salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley).

Them’s the basics. Of course, you can add more vegetables if you like. Most people reach for bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, or okra to complement the corn and beans. But, like most recipes that have been around a long time, there are so many variations, including some that feature meat, like bacon or ham.

Take all those ingredients and do them up in butter or oil until the desired tenderness has been achieved. Whether you want to eat it as an entrée, side dish, or stuffed inside a wrap is entirely up to you.

Is This Succotash Recipe Healthy?

Succotash is by and large a vegetable dish, so it can be very nutritious, packed full of vitamins and minerals. While this particular version calls for bacon, there really isn’t much in there, as I use it more for flavor than a primary ingredient. Butter and olive oil are used but not much, and, as oils go, olive is considered a healthy one. The herbs and spices are also good for you, being rich in antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS

A lot of ingredients, sure, but if you have a semi-respectable spice rack, you will already have most of these items.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup smoked bacon, diced
½ brown onion, finely diced
2 cups lima beans
2 cups corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 red pepper, diced
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 basil leaves
1 tbsp salted butter
salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Fry

Pour olive oil into a large pan. Over MEDIUM heat, fry the bacon and onion for 6-8 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the bacon is a little crispy.

Add

Add the lima beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, and fry for another 5 minutes.

Add

Add the fresh herbs, butter, salt, and pepper, and serve warm.

DEVOUR!

Variations

Substitute edamame or chickpeas for the lima beans.
A vegetable that’s not usually considered for succotash is zucchini (despite both featuring double C’s!). Zucchini tastes great and is high in fiber AND, because of its high water content, will keep you hydrated.
If you like things garlicy, use fresh garlic instead of the powder for a stronger flavor.

What To Serve With Succotash

Presuming you intend on serving this succotash as a side, I have listed here a bunch of different entrees that will taste fab. Most are meat, so feel free to leave out the bacon from the succotash if that’s too much for you.

Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast: Why, crispy air fryer breaded chicken breast is as American as succotash!

Crispy Air-Fried Fish: Yes, there is a trend here. Succotash just tastes really good with breaded meat! Plus, this is fish that has been air-fried, so, when paired with a vegetable-heavy dish, you’ve got one healthy menu.

Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak: For those out there who want a hearty meal that features veggies AND a slab of meat.

Egg-White Wraps: This one’s a bit different. Remember when I mentioned earlier that you can use succotash as a filling for wraps and such? Well, here is a recipe for a wrap. Just replace the filling in this recipe card with the succotash. Oh, and learn how to make wraps made out of egg whites!

Sweet Vegan Cornbread with Applesauce: All these recipes have put the succotash on the side (it’s like putting Baby in the corner — and NO ONE puts Baby in the corner!). Instead, move the ‘tash to the middle of your plate and make some cornbread to go with IT.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular paprika for smoked paprika?

Yes, but it will change the flavor quite a lot; the smoked paprika makes the dish taste a bit like chorizo, yum!

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can leave out the bacon and butter. The dish will still taste delicious and there is enough plant-based protein in there with all the lima beans.

Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones?

Yes, but fresh vegetables will provide a better texture and flavor.

How to Store Succotash

Let the succotash cool completely. Store it in an airtight container and then put it in the fridge where it should keep for up to 4 days. You can also freeze succotash. Before doing so, I recommend dividing it up into smaller portions; this will make life easier when you want to reheat only some of the succotash. Put the portions into freezer-safe containers (heavy-duty freezer bags work). Squeeze out any excess air before sealing the ‘tash up. It should last in the freezer for up to 4 months.

When you’re ready to eat the frozen succotash, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. You can then warm it up on the stove or in the microwave. Taste it before serving, as you may want to add additional herbs and spices.