Lima beans, immature seeds, frozen, fordhook, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
These are the tender, young seeds of the Fordhook lima bean, harvested before full maturity and frozen at their peak. When cooked, they offer a creamy, starchy texture with a mild, slightly sweet, and buttery flavor. Nutritionally, they are a standout source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, with very little fat.
💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their comforting, velvety texture and ability to absorb flavors from broths and seasonings. They are a beloved, versatile staple in Southern U.S. cuisine and home cooking, often evoking a sense of tradition and comfort.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The added salt in this frozen preparation can contribute to excessive sodium intake. To counteract this, rinse the beans after boiling or choose a no-salt-added version. Their high fiber and resistant starch content can cause digestive discomfort (gas, bloating) in some individuals, especially if not accustomed to legumes; starting with smaller portions and increasing gradually helps.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of plant-based protein (6g per 100g).
- High in dietary fiber (5.3g per 100g) for digestive health.
- Rich in complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.
- Very low in fat and naturally cholesterol-free.
- Provides essential minerals like iron and potassium.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Fordhook variety, developed in the early 1900s, was specifically bred for its large, flat, tender seeds and ability to thrive in cooler climates, making it a commercial success for freezing.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 73.0 g |
| Energy | 103 kcal |
| Energy | 429 kj |
| Protein | 6.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.34 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.3 g |
| Sucrose | 1.1 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.21 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 30.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 42.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 97.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 304 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 289 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.74 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.17 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.65 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 12.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 1.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.16 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 21.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 21.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 21.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 36.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 114 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 190 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.08 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.16 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.26 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.39 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.40 g |
| Methionine | 0.06 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.30 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.20 g |
| Valine | 0.38 g |
| Arginine | 0.41 g |
| Histidine | 0.21 g |
| Alanine | 0.23 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.65 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.78 g |
| Glycine | 0.24 g |
| Proline | 0.09 g |
| Serine | 0.38 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between Fordhook and baby lima beans?
Fordhook limas are a specific large, flat variety (also called 'butter beans'), while 'baby limas' is a general term for smaller, paler, and often starchier lima bean varieties. Both are immature seeds.
Why are my boiled lima beans tough?
They may be older or not properly frozen at peak freshness. Ensure they are fully thawed before cooking, and simmer gently until tender; boiling too hard can toughen the skins.
Are they good for a low-carb diet?
While nutritious, they are relatively high in carbohydrates (19g per 100g). They are better suited for balanced or high-fiber diets than strict low-carb plans.