This Southern Succotash is a bright and fresh combination of corn and lima beans with sweet cherry tomatoes, okra, and jalapenos for a little spicy kick. Add some salty, savory bacon and some fresh herbs, and you have a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Southern Succotash
This Southern Succotash recipe has it all, with fresh, sweet corn, traditional lima beans, and bright cherry tomatoes. Plus some extras including jalapenos for a little spice, bacon for a little extra salty and savory, lime juice, and fresh basil.
Many succotash recipes call for cream for richness, but will turn the vegetables dull or gray as a result.. In this recipe cream is replaced with butter, which adds the same richness while keeping the vegetables bright and colorful.
It is a beautiful summer side dish that can (and should!) be made all year round (with the help of some frozen veggies, of course!).
What IS Succotash?
Succotash is an American dish that was originally introduced to us by the indigenous people of northeast America in the 17th century. It has since been anglicized, into different popular versions known today.
What's In Southern Succotash?
The two main ingredients found in succotash are corn and lima beans. Other vegetables such as bell pepper and tomtaoes, as well as meats such as corned beef or salted pork are often added depending on region.
In the southern succotash recipe I'm sharing today, there are the traditional corn and lima beans as well as jalapeno, cherry tomatoes, and okra. You can also add in your own fresh or frozen vegetables to this recipe that you'd like to use up such as bell peppers or zucchini.
Fresh vs. Frozen Okra
In all honesty, this recipe is better with fresh okra. However, here in the Midwest, I have a very difficult time finding fresh okra for most of the year. If you can find fresh okra, absolutely use it! I'll include directions in the recipe notes as well, but you'll want to use 1-2 young okra, sliced. Then add it with the onion and garlic, which will allow for a longer cook time. When the succotash is done, the okra should be soft, but not mushy.
Otherwise, you can use frozen okra (which, fair warning, can often have a slimy texture), or omit it. For frozen okra, add with the corn and lima beans for a shorter cook time.
What to Serve with Southern Succotash
Serve this southern succotash as a side dish to your favorite protein such as grilled or baked chicken or pork. Some of our favorites are this oven fried chicken or some smoked sausage or kielbasa.
You can also serve this succotash as the focal point of your meal over buttered southern cornbread.
More Southern Favorite Recipes You'll Love
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw - creamy simple southern classic made with fresh cabbage and carrots and creamy, sweet and zesty dressing.
- Best Southern Potato Salad - the best potato salad ever with all of the fixings.
- Southern Buttermilk Biscuits - soft, buttery, flaky, and mile high.
- Southern Deviled Eggs - classic deviled egg with just a hint of sweet tanginess
- Southern Oven Fried Chicken - a great main dish to go with this delicious side!
Southern Succotash Video
Southern Succotash
Ingredients
- ¼ pound sliced bacon
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 1-2 okra sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 ears corn kernels cut off and cobs discarded (about 2-3 cups)
- 1 large fresh jalapeno seeded and finely chopped
- 1 package frozen lima beans (10 ounces)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Juice from 1 lime about 2 tablespoons
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon in hot skillet until crisp, turning once. Transfer bacon to paper towels, leaving drippings in the pan. When cool enough to handle, crumble bacon and set aside.
- To the large skillet with drippings, add onion, okra, and garlic. Cook until onions are tender, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in corn, lima beans, jalapeno, and cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring often until heated through, and corn is tender and bright yellow.
- Add butter and lime juice. Stir until butter is melted. Remove from heat.
- Stir in basil and salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and chives. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally gluten free. To make dairy free, use olive oil instead of butter.
- Corn: This recipe calls for fresh corn (my preference when it’s in season). You can also use frozen or canned corn.
- Lima Beans: If you can get fresh lima beans from the farmer’s market, that’s great, but I’ve used frozen before and they work well too. Just be sure they’re already cooked for use in this succotash recipe. You can also substitute butter beans instead of lima beans.
- Okra: You can use fresh or frozen okra (although fresh is preferred. See notes in article). You can also omit if you have difficulty finding it.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerators for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave.
- Freezer Directions: To freeze, allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze for up to 3-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet. The texture may be slightly softer upon thawing.
Nutrition
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Claudia Lamascolo says
Wow this sounds so delicious and healthy never had this one cant wait to try it
Pam says
This recipe definitely brings back memories. Mama used to make it very simply with just lima beans and corn. Yours sound much more interesting.
Dannii says
I have never heard of this before, but I love Okra so this sounds delicious to me.
Sharmila Kingsly says
Looks perfect and a quick summer meal... Definitely trying this soon.
Erika says
This succotash is so bright and colorful! It's the perfect summer side dish! I love the recommendation of serving it with grilled chicken too.
Michelle says
This is what I need for a hot summer day! Love all the veggies in it, and it's filling on its own. Great recipe!
Catherine says
I love succotash! Yours looks so colorful and sounds so delicious! I love the variety of fresh veggies in there...summer in a bowl!
Leslie says
This is a great succotash recipe! So fresh, great flavors, and overall just perfect! YUM!!
Jessica Formicola says
This looks like the perfect summer dish! So bright and colorful. I will definitely be trying it for 4th of July weekend!
Keri says
Great Recipe!! Thanks for sharing. Everyone loved this!
Anaiah says
I loved all of the flavors in this southern succotash recipe! It was my first time making it and everything turned out delicious! It was the perfect side dish to our summer bbq. Definitely a keeper!
saif says
I haven't tried this succotash recipe, but I can tell it looks absolutely delicious and nutritious too. Definitely going to make one.
Alex says
Okay this looks soooo good and it has all the best things - jalapeños, corn, okra, lime beans, I mean YUM! I don't think I've ever had succotash and didn't know what it was, but you've sold me on it!
Lindsey says
This is one of my favorite succotash recipes. It’s best with fresh vegetables but I often use frozen peas or Lima beans when I can’t get any fresh ones. Don’t skip in the basil- it’s what makes this recipe truly special!