This succotash recipe is a combination of bacon, corn, tomatoes and lima beans, all cooked together to make a colorful and delicious side dish . Succotash pairs perfectly with grilled meats and seafood, and can even be served as a lighter main course option.

I’m always looking for quick and easy side dish options. Some of my favorites include fried corn , tomato salad and this easy and flavorful succotash.

A skillet of succotash topped with bacon and herbs. - 1

You can never go wrong with a colorful assortment of veggies, especially when you add bacon to the mix. This succotash is a celebration of summer produce, and it takes just minutes to put together!

This recipe is fantastic with dinners like grilled chicken thighs , beef brisket and Mississippi pot roast . If you want another side dish , why not make a little honey cornbread ?

Succotash Ingredients

To make this succotash recipe you will need bacon, onion, garlic, frozen lima beans, corn kernels, green beans, butter, cherry tomatoes, salt, black pepper and herbs like fresh parsley, fresh chives, fresh dill or fresh basil.

Cooked bacon in a pan. - 2

How Do You Make Succotash?

When you make this succotash recipe, start by cooking diced bacon in a pan until it gets crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, then reserve it for later use. Add your diced onion to the pan with a little bacon grease, then cook the onion until it softens. Place minced garlic in the pan and cook it with the onion for 30 seconds. Stir in diced green beans, corn and cooked lima beans, then cook everything together until the green beans become tender. Finally, add cherry tomato halves and your reserved bacon. Season the veggies with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fresh herbs over the top and enjoy.

Corn, lima beans and green beans in a skillet. - 3

Tips For The Perfect Side Dish

  • This succotash recipe works with fresh, frozen and canned corn kernels. That being said, I think this dish tastes best with the sweetness of fresh corn.
  • I typically use yellow onions for this dish. Sweet onions also work well.
  • You get an amazing flavor when you cook your onion in bacon drippings . Make sure to remove all but a tablespoon of the drippings so the succotash doesn’t become greasy.
  • You can blanch your green beans before adding them into the dish if you want them to stay bright green.
  • This dish is fantastic in the summer months or you could enjoy it as a Thanksgiving side dish!

Quick Tip

I recommend using frozen lima beans for this recipe as they’re readily available and inexpensive. Cook the frozen beans according to package directions before proceeding with the recipe.

A pile of cherry tomatoes on top of a mixture of corn and beans. - 4

Succotash originates from a Native American recipe of corn and beans. It gets its name from an English spelling of a Native American word that refers to a cooked pot of corn. The dish has gone through many changes over the years, but always includes some type of corn and beans, along with other vegetables. It also often contains a pork product such as bacon.

This side dish is a great accompaniment to many different main course options. I often serve succotash during the summer months, so I pair it with grilled chicken tenders or marinated steak . Baked salmon or grilled shrimp skewers also go well with succotash. You can even turn this recipe into a main course option by increasing the amount of bacon, then serving it over a grain such as steamed rice.

Succotash will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the tomatoes will be watery and have an less appealing texture when thawed.

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Succotash served on a plate with fish and couscous. - 5

Flavor Variations

While this succotash recipe is fabulous as-is, you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize it to your taste.

  • Vegetables: Stir in other veggies such as zucchini, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, summer squash or sliced okra.
  • Herbs: Feel free to use any herbs you have on hand. I typically add parsley and chives, but basil and dill are also great choices.
  • Beans: No lima beans on hand? Try using frozen edamame or a can of white beans instead.
  • Vegetarian: To make this dish vegetarian omit the bacon and use a tablespoon of olive oil to cook the onions.
  • Spicy: To bring the heat, add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to your succotash.
  • Tangy: For a tangy version of this dish add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.

Once you try this dish, you’ll find it yourself making it all summer long! It’s the perfect blend of flavors and textures and this one always receives rave reviews.

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Succotash Video

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 6 slices bacon chopped
  • ▢ 1/2 cup onion diced
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • ▢ 16 ounce bag frozen lima beans cooked according to package directions
  • ▢ 2 cups corn kernels
  • ▢ 1 cup green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
  • ▢ 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • ▢ salt and pepper to taste
  • ▢ 3 tablespoons fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, dill or basil

Instructions

  • Place the bacon in a pan over medium high heat. Cook the bacon for 5-6 minutes or until browned and crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the pan. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
  • Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the lima beans, corn, green beans and butter to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until green beans are tender.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cherry tomatoes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sprinkle the reserved bacon and herbs over the succotash, then serve.

Notes

  1. I recommend using frozen lima beans for this recipe as they’re readily available and inexpensive. Cook the frozen beans according to package directions before proceeding with the recipe.
  2. This recipe works with fresh, frozen and canned corn kernels. That being said, I think this dish tastes best with the sweetness of fresh corn.
  3. I typically use yellow onions for this dish. Sweet onions also work well.

Nutrition

A pan with succotash including corn, green beans, lima beans, cherry tomatoes and bacon. - 11 A skillet of succotash topped with bacon and herbs. - 12

Succotash

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 16 ounce bag frozen lima beans cooked according to package directions
  • 2 cups corn kernels
  • 1 cup green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, dill or basil

Instructions

  • Place the bacon in a pan over medium high heat. Cook the bacon for 5-6 minutes or until browned and crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the pan. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
  • Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the lima beans, corn, green beans and butter to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until green beans are tender.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cherry tomatoes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Sprinkle the reserved bacon and herbs over the succotash, then serve.

Video

Notes

  1. I recommend using frozen lima beans for this recipe as they’re readily available and inexpensive. Cook the frozen beans according to package directions before proceeding with the recipe.
  2. This recipe works with fresh, frozen and canned corn kernels. That being said, I think this dish tastes best with the sweetness of fresh corn.
  3. I typically use yellow onions for this dish. Sweet onions also work well.

Nutrition