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A close-up of a hearty Christmas lima bean recipe in a white bowl, topped with fluffy rice, crumbled feta, and fresh dill.

Delicious Christmas Lima Bean Recipe with Lemon & Dill

This festive Christmas lima bean recipe combines creamy beans, fluffy rice, zesty lemon, and aromatic dill for a vibrant, nutritious side or main dish perfect for holiday tables.
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Course: Main, Side Dish
Cuisine: Christmas, Vegetarian
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh or dried Christmas lima beans
  • 1 cup Basmati rice (US grown)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fresh marjoram, chopped
  • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • sea salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven For cooking beans and rice.
  • Sauté pan To brown the aromatics and beans.
  • Cutting Board For chopping vegetables and herbs.
  • Chef's knife Sharp knife for clean cuts.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons To measure all ingredients accurately.

Method
 

  1. Soak dried lima beans overnight if using dried beans. Drain and rinse before cooking. Skip this step if using fresh beans.
  2. Cook soaked or fresh beans in a large pot with water covering by 2 inches. Simmer 30–40 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare Basmati rice according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  5. Add cooked lima beans to the pan. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Gently mix in cooked rice, lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped dill, and marjoram. Stir to combine.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, lemon, or herbs as needed.
  8. Fold in crumbled feta cheese just before serving. Garnish with fresh dill. Serve warm.

Notes

For best results, soak dried beans overnight before cooking. This dish is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by omitting the feta or replacing it with nutritional yeast.