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Tarragon Lima Beans with Stewed Tomatoes

Prep
15 min
Cook
50 min
Level
medium
Tarragon Lima Beans with Stewed Tomatoes

Frozen lima beans simmered with pancetta, stewed tomatoes, and fresh tarragon in a simple stovetop braise. Yellow onion and garlic build a savory base while extra virgin olive oil and ground black pepper finish the dish. A light, herbaceous side that pairs well with roasted meats or grilled fish.

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Ingredients

  • 16 oz frozen lima beans, thawed
  • ¼ cup pancetta, minced
    bacon1:1porkcured

    similar smoke and salt

    Full guide →
  • 14 ½ oz canned stewed tomatoes, undrained
    San Marzano canned tomatoes1:1tomatocanned

    slightly different flavor profile

  • cup yellow onion, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, minced
    dried tarragon1:3herb

    reduce to 1/3 teaspoon

    Full guide →
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
    vegetable oil1:1oilneutral

    removes olive flavor

    Full guide →
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Method

7 steps
  1. 1

    Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot.

  2. 2

    Add pancetta and cook until lightly browned and slightly crisp.

  3. 3

    Add onion and cook until golden brown and softened.

  4. 4

    Add garlic and cook until aromatic.

  5. 5

    Add undrained tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally.

  6. 6

    Stir in lima beans and simmer until hot.

  7. 7

    Stir in remaining oil, tarragon, and pepper.

Tips

Tip 1

Stir occasionally during the tomato simmer to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Tip 2

Add tarragon at the end to preserve its delicate flavor and aroma.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Make Ahead

Prepare through step 5; reheat gently before serving.

Serve With

Serve warm as a side dish alongside roasted poultry or grilled fish.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not skip the initial pancetta browning to avoid a bland, flat flavor base.

Watch

Do not add tarragon early to avoid bitter, diminished herbal notes.

Watch

Do not skip the final oil and pepper to avoid a dull, one-dimensional finish.

Substitutions

pancetta
bacon1:1porkcured

similar smoke and salt

Full guide →
fresh tarragon
dried tarragon1:3herb

reduce to 1/3 teaspoon

Full guide →
Hunt's Stewed Tomatoes
San Marzano canned tomatoes1:1tomatocanned

slightly different flavor profile

extra virgin olive oil
vegetable oil1:1oilneutral

removes olive flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →