Southern Succotash Recipe (2024)

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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 Recipe (3)

Southern Succotash

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.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keyword: Southern Succotash, Succotash

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 201kcal

Author: Michelle

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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

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Southern Succotash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is succotash made of? ›

Succotash is a North American vegetable dish consisting primarily of sweet corn with lima beans or other shell beans. The name succotash is derived from the Narragansett word sahquttahhash, which means "broken corn kernels".

What Southern Living suggests for your succotash? ›

Fresh corn, tomatoes, lima beans, and okra are the perfect quartet of complementary Southern summer veggies, and the stars of this dish. Sautéed sweet onions bring all the flavors together, and butter and bacon drippings add richness.

What is the root of succotash? ›

The name is a somewhat Anglicized spelling of the Narragansett Indian word “msickquatash,” which referred to a simmering pot of corn to which other ingredients were added. Most often, it contained corn, beans and squash, the Three Sisters, which the natives cultivated together in distinct mounds.

What is a combination of beans and corn called? ›

Beans and corn pottage also known as adalu is a popular Nigerian dish. It's a delicious fusion of stewed beans and corn. It's nutritious especially when you don't add too much palm oil. The secret is to buy fresh and soft corn for it to be as soft as the beans when eating it. So, let's cook adalu!

What's in triple succotash? ›

Tomato Products • Triple Succotash. Our Triple Succotash is a flavor-packed combination of corn, butter beans and tomatoes prepared with the perfect blend of seasoning. An excellent side dish or as an ingredient to soups and salads, Margaret Holmes Triple Succotash is a Southern favorite.

What is triple succotash? ›

Triple Succotash is a classic Southern dish, combining three beloved vegetables: sweet corn, buttery lima beans, and crisp okra. The medley of vibrant colors and textures creates a visually appealing and mouthwatering experience.

Why do they call succotash succotash? ›

Succotash is a corn and lima bean dish that often includes tomatoes, peppers, and okra. Its name comes from the Narragansett (a Native American language that was once spoken in the area that is now Rhode Island) word “sohquttahhash,” which roughly translates to "broken corn kernels."

What is succotash served with? ›

Succotash is usually served as a side dish, but it can definitely become the centerpiece of the meal when served over a piece of warm cornbread or rice—making this a hearty and budget-friendly dish.

When should I eat succotash? ›

Sweet Succotash

Luckily, Succotash is a great late spring to a summer dish. It fits perfectly on our sultry night, don't get me wrong, now that good fresh corn is a year-round thing, it is a great dish in winter too. Especially when you really need a taste of summer. It is also really easy.

What is a suffering succotash? ›

"Suffering succotash" is a humorous exclamation or minced oath used to express surprise, frustration, or annoyance. It is often used in place of stronger language or as a way to avoid using profanity. The phrase itself does not have a direct or specific meaning, but it is used for humorous effect.

Who came up with succotash? ›

Historic sources and oral tradition indicate that Wampanoag cooks, and later the English cooks who learned from them, made many types of succotash depending on the season, the harvest, and the hunt, as well as on the cultural origin of the cook.

What is a succotash bean called? ›

The lima bean was a member of the "three sisters" of American Native cuisine and eventually became known as a prime ingredient of the dish called succotash. Succotash, that savory mélange of corn and beans, is a noble dish with a long history.

What is rice and beans together called? ›

Gallopinto, the rice-and-beans combination, is known by many names across Latin America, some charming like casamiento (wedding) others rather dated and decidedly politically incorrect like moros y cristianos (Moors and Christians).

What are the three sisters of beans? ›

In modern-day gardens, the Three Sisters consists of these three vegetables:
  1. Pole beans (not bush beans). Common pole beans such as Scarlet Runner or Italian Snap should work. ...
  2. Corn such as sweet corn, dent corn, popcorn, or a combination. ...
  3. Small-leafed squash such as summer squash (zucchini) or winter squash (Hubbard).
Mar 29, 2024

Is succotash Native American? ›

This easy and nutritious bean and corn stew is initially a Native American dish. Succotash comes from an Indian word meaning corn. Now it is a staple in many parts of North America and is also popular in South America. The original dish is made with lima beans but it can be also made with dried beans.

Why do they call it succotash? ›

Succotash is a corn and lima bean dish that often includes tomatoes, peppers, and okra. Its name comes from the Narragansett (a Native American language that was once spoken in the area that is now Rhode Island) word “sohquttahhash,” which roughly translates to "broken corn kernels."

What defines a succotash? ›

a cooked dish of kernels of corn mixed with shell beans, especially lima beans, and, often, with green and sweet red peppers.

What's the difference between succotash and ratatouille? ›

When corn and fresh shell beans are in the bag, it's succotash. And when eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers converge, ratatouille is on the menu.

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