Easy Southern Succotash
Servings 6 servings
Calories 327kcal
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz bag frozen Lima beans
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 medium sweet Vidalia onion diced
- 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 medium cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups fresh or frozen corn thawed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 tsp seasoned salt More or less to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Cook the Lima beans in salted water per the package directions. Drain and set aside. (Reserve 1 cup cooking liquid)
- In a large skillet cook the bacon slices over medium-high until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain then chop. Reserve 3 Tbsp drippings freeze the rest.
- In the drippings cook the onion and red pepper over medium-high for 2 minutes or until translucent and beginning to brown. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute longer.
- To the skillet add the Lima beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, vinegar, tarragon, seasoned salt, black pepper, and reserved cooking liquid. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the corn is tender.
- Add butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
- Mix-in chopped bacon and chives, serve immediately.
Notes
- Easy Succotash Variations: It's not unusual here in the South for there to be variations of succotash using other shelled beans or the addition of different types of bell pepper and vegetables such as fresh okra. Every recipe has slight adaptations based on the cook's preference or what you have on hand.
- Add Okra: Should you like to add okra to the mix, you can use 1 cup of frozen or fresh okra.
- Seasonings: To add a little heat to the flavor you can add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. You can also serve hot sauce on the side so each person can adapt the mount of spice to their taste.
- Bacon: You could use salt pork or pancetta in place of bacon.
- Garlic: You can use garlic powder or granulated garlic in place of minced garlic.
- Fresh Herbs: If you prefer, fresh dill could be used in place of tarragon or you could use only chives. You may like to use fresh basil leaves or even rosemary change the flavor profile. I personally love the flavor tarragon gives, but it's simple to adapt using your favorite herbs.
- Vegetarian Option: You can omit the bacon and bacon drippings and sauté the veggies in 1-2 tablespoon of olive oil, instead.
- Vegetable Options: You can make succotash to your taste using green bell pepper, zucchini or green beans.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 801mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1031IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg