Mouthwatering Southern-style Succotash for a Hearty Meal!
As a proud chef from the Southern United States, there’s no secret that I love nothing more than the comfort and flavor of a classic Southern-style dish. So, today, I am excited to share with you my recipe for Southern Style Succotash.
This savory dish is a colorful and mouthwatering combination of sweet corn, lima beans, butter beans, onions, and bell peppers. It’s got everything you need: salty country ham, creamy heavy cream, fresh ground black pepper, and unsalted butter to make it richer and smoother than ever before.
I must warn you – this is not your average succotash recipe. It’s a unique blend of flavors that will transport you back to the unforgettable tastes of the South.
Whether you’re looking for an easy side dish to complement your summer BBQ or an indulgent soul food experience to enjoy year-round, this Southern Style Succotash is sure to satisfy your cravings. So get ready to cook up some down-home magic and let your taste buds dance with delight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture this: it’s a hot summer day, and you’re sitting on the porch of a Southern-style home surrounded by lush greenery. You’ve got a plate of crispy fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, and a generous portion of Southern-style Succotash on the side. Now, imagine every bite of this delicious side dish is packed with sweet corn kernels, lima beans, bell peppers, and country ham – all simmering in heavy cream and butter. Sounds like heaven? That’s because it is!
Here’s why you’re going to love this succotash recipe. First of all, it’s super easy to make. I know we all lead busy lives, but that shouldn’t stop us from whipping up some soulful food. With just a handful of readily available ingredients, you can recreate the magic of Southern cuisine in your own kitchen. Plus, this recipe is so versatile that it can be easily adapted to suit vegan preferences too!
Secondly, this recipe is a colorful and flavorful indulgence for all your senses. The sweet corn adds an unmatched essence of freshness while the creaminess from the heavy cream and butter brings out the textures in the beans and peppers. The chunky bits of country ham add a nice salty dimension to the dish that truly brings everything together.
Last but not least, Southern-style Succotash is an incredibly healthy side dish. It’s high in fiber and filled with fresh vegetables – making it perfect for those looking for healthy meal options without sacrificing taste or flavor.
All in all, there really isn’t any reason not to try out this succotash recipe! It’s easy to make, delicious to eat and healthy all at once – what more could we ask for? So let’s get cookin’, y’all!
Ingredient List
Let’s talk ingredients! To create a tasty Southern Style Succotash, we need to have the right components that provide flavor, texture and make it hearty. In this section, I will walk you through a complete ingredient list so you can have all items on hand before starting the recipe.
Vegetables
- Corn: 4 ears corn or 3 cups fresh corn kernels
- Lima beans and butter beans: 1 1/2 cups frozen lima beans and 1 1/2 cups frozen butter beans or if preferred just use 3 cups of either
- Red bell pepper: 1 small chopped (1 cup)
- Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (1 cup)
- Garlic: 1 large garlic clove, diced
- Green bell pepper: 1 small (1 cup), diced
- Okra: 2 cups sliced okra
Tip: Use fresh produce in the summer for the ultimate Southern summer succotash.
Meat and Dairy
- Slices bacon: 3 slices of bacon, cut in half
- Country ham: 2 oz diced country ham (optional)
- Heavy cream: 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- Unsalted butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Note: This dish can also be made vegan by omitting the bacon and dairy.
Seasonings
Make sure to have these seasonings on hand:
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Olive oil
Now that you know what you need let’s start cooking!
The Recipe How-To
Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients, it’s time to start cooking up a storm. In this section, I will guide you through each step to ensure you make a delicious Southern Style Succotash.
Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, ensure that all of your ingredients are ready for use. Thaw your lima beans and corn if they were previously frozen. Cut the country ham and bell peppers into small cubes, dice the onions and bell pepper, and slice the garlic clove. Having everything prepared in advance will make the cooking process run smoothly.
Cooking the bacon
Firstly, cook the sliced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it is crispy. Once cooked, remove from skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess fat.
Vegetables mix-in
The next step is to cook your mixture of vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same large skillet used for cooking the bacon. Once hot, add the diced onions, sliced okra and cubed bell peppers. Cook it over medium heat until everything is tender -around 7-8 minutes- while stirring occasionally.
Beans addition
Afterward, add your thawed lima beans and butter beans together with fresh or frozen kernels of corn to the skillet with vegetables mixture. Stir in 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to give it a rich flavor, then continue heating until everything is fully cooked through-around 5 minutes– stirring gently from time to time.
Creamy texture addition
Lastly, pour ½ cup of heavy cream over the top and stir well even though some vegetables might have softened at this point. One addition that you could do is seasoning withfresh ground black pepper so as to make it more tasty! After seasoning it up a bit leave it on low heat until u see the creamy texture coming through, stirring occasionally, then take off heat.
Final Touch
At this point, your Southern Style Succotash recipe is ready to be served. Dish it out on a big platter and add a little bit of thinly sliced green onion over the top alongside crispy bacon crumbles.
Hope this easy side dish will give you a full stomach with the perfect southern style succotash for a wholesome, hearty satisfaction at any time of the year!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to cooking, sometimes you just don’t have all the ingredients a recipe calls for or maybe you want to put your own spin on things. Don’t worry, with this succotash recipe, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can make without sacrificing flavor.
Firstly, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you can easily make this succotash stew without bacon. You can add a bit of smoked paprika or liquid smoke to give it that savory flavor. You can also substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk to keep it dairy-free.
If lima beans aren’t your thing, you can swap them out with other types of beans like black beans or kidney beans. You can also add in some okra or diced tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
For a spicier kick, you can add in some diced jalapeño peppers or even fresh chili peppers. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding in some curry powder or cumin to give it an Indian twist.
If you’re looking for a summer twist, try using fresh corn instead of frozen. Sweet corn pairs well with the bell peppers and lima beans in this recipe. You can also add in some sliced squash or zucchini for a colorful southern summer succotash.
When it comes to cooking, don’t be afraid to make substitutions and variations to suit your personal taste. This succotash recipe is easy to modify and adapt to your own liking while still maintaining its soulful southern flavor.
Serving and Pairing
If you’re wondering what to serve with your Southern Style Succotash, look no further. This hearty and filling side dish is perfect for pairing with a wide variety of main courses.
For meat lovers, I recommend serving the succotash alongside grilled or roasted meats such as pork chops, steak, or chicken. The sweet and salty flavors of the succotash complement the rich taste of country ham or grilled bacon perfectly.
If you prefer plant-based options, this vegan-friendly succotash stew pairs well with a variety of vegetable-centric dishes such as roasted vegetables or sautéed green beans.
The colorful combination of fresh corn, lima beans, and bell peppers in this Southern Style Succotash also offers a perfect pairing for seafood. Serve this dish alongside grilled shrimp, scallops or seafood stews and soups for a deliciously Southern summer meal.
For a truly traditional take on this soul food classic, pair your succotash with other classic Southern dishes like sweet cornbread or crispy fried okra.
Regardless of what you choose to pair this succotash with, the rich and bold flavors of this Southern Style Succotash recipe are sure to take your taste buds on a journey to the heart and soul of Southern cooking.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Y’all, I know that sometimes time is tight and you need to plan ahead. That’s why I’m excited to tell you that this southern-style succotash recipe is perfect for making ahead of time! Once the recipe is complete, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
When it’s time to reheat, you’ll want to do so slowly on low-medium heat. A gradual reheat will ensure that the flavors remain intact and nothing gets burnt or overcooked. You can reheat on the stovetop, but if you’re really pressed for time, then you can use the microwave too. Just make sure to stir every 30 seconds and check the temperature between each round of heating.
If you want to keep your succotash fresh even longer than 2 days, I suggest freezing it using an airtight freezer-safe container or a zip-lock bag. Properly stored, it will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Just be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
I want y’all to enjoy this dish at its best – sweet corn, creamy lima beans, flavorful country ham and bacon bits mixed with freshly chopped bell peppers and onions – so be sure not to overwork it during reheating. And remember, if y’all ever have any leftovers, they are perfect as a side dish for lunch or dinner any day of the week!
Tips for Perfect Results
Southern-style succotash is a classic side dish that can add a flavorful touch to any meal. Here are some tips for making the perfect succotash that will leave your guests craving for more.
First and foremost, when preparing the ingredients, it is important to ensure that the lima beans and corn are cooked just enough to retain their crispiness. If you are using frozen lima beans, make sure to thaw them beforehand and pat them dry. Similarly, if you are using fresh corn, be sure to slice the kernels off the cob and avoid overcooking them.
The next step is to ensure that your pan is hot enough before adding the vegetables. Use a heavy bottom pan or skillet over medium-high heat for better heat distribution across the surface of the pan. Add a tablespoon of olive oil or unsalted butter and let it melt before adding the vegetables.
To achieve the best flavor for your succotash, consider using country ham slices or bacon as an additional ingredient. Fry them in a separate skillet before adding them to the vegetables.
When adding spices such as kosher salt or fresh ground black pepper, make sure not to add too much of them at once. Instead, start with a small amount and taste as you go to adjust according to your preference.
Additionally, if you want your succotash recipe to have some delicious creamy texture, you can add heavy cream after cooking the vegetables. This will also give it a rich flavor and add some depth to every bite.
Finally, keep in mind that different recipes may call for variations in terms of ingredients and cooking time. Always trust your instincts when creating southern-style succotash and do not be afraid to try new ingredients or techniques to achieve your desired outcome!
By following these tips for perfect results, you can create a delicious dish that has all of the flavors of Southern home-cooking!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this southern style succotash recipe is a soulful and delicious dish that can be served as a hearty side or a light main course. The combination of sweet corn, lima beans, and vibrant bell peppers perfectly balanced with salty country ham and savory bacon. The addition of heavy cream and unsalted butter takes the flavor profile to another level.
Whether you are a vegan or not, this recipe is versatile enough to be adapted to suit everyone’s taste buds. You can substitute the meat components with some smoked paprika or add some sliced okra for an even more Southern feel.
This easy-to-follow recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a colorful Southern summer gathering. Make sure to follow the tips outlined in our article for perfect results, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavor combinations.
This succotash recipe is the perfect example of comfort food that brings people together. It is about food that conjures up memories of good times with family, friends and loved ones. So gather around the table and savor the flavor of this tasty succotash stew. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Southern Style Succotash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh shelled lima beans or 2 cups butter beans
- kosher salt
- 2 large ears of corn or 2 cups corn
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup minced country ham (optional)
Instructions
- Place beans in large saucepan. Cover with water; add about 1 tsp salt. Bring to boiling. Skim surface till clear. Cook, partially covered, 30 to 40 minute till tender. Strain beans into sieve. Set aside.
- Shuck corn: using clean kitchen towel, gently rub corn to remove silks. Using sharp knife, cut corn kernels from cobs.
- In large skillet, heat butter over medium high heat till melted and foaming. Add corn. Lightly season with salt and pepper, stirring to coat corn in butter. Cook 1 to 2 minute Add beans. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook 1 minute more, taking care not to overcook the corn and beans.
- Add cream (and ham). Cook just till heated through and slightly reduced. Season to taste.
- Note: OK to use frozen veggies when fresh not in season.