Paul Newman's Iconic Lima Beans Only Need 2 Extra Ingredients

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Actor Paul Newman was known as a leading man on the silver screen and a true foodie in the kitchen. Thanks to help from celebrity chef Martha Stewart, Newman's philanthropic food brand got its start. In his 1998 cookbook, "Newman's Own Cookbook," the actor shares a recipe for a simple side dish, citing his housekeeper, Caroline Murphy, as its originator. The three ingredients called for are lima beans, smoked ham hocks, and a significant amount of freshly ground black pepper.

Newman has been quoted as saying, in jest, that he would "kill for" the side dish and it's easy to see why. Though the recipe calls for minimal ingredients, the beauty lies in the way all three complement each other. The smokiness of the ham hocks combined with the pleasing texture of the lima beans and the heat from the fresh black pepper comes together to create a satisfying food.

The recent push for more protein- and fiber-rich dishes sheds new light on this easy and delicious recipe. If you want to make your own meal inspired by Newman, start with frozen lima beans, steering clear of raw ones, which would require thorough and proper cooking to remove the naturally occurring element of cyanide. Newman also notes the importance of sourcing good-quality ham hocks that contain a significant amount of meat. From there, it's a matter of stewing everything together, seasoning with fresh black pepper, and dressing up the dish with more ingredients or enjoying it as-is.

Beans and smoked meats are a classic combination, particularly when accented by a generous portion of black pepper. While the recipe shared by Newman requires ham, you can easily adjust this to suit your own dietary needs. For example, use smoked turkey necks, wings, or drumsticks in lieu of ham hocks for a poultry-based version of the side dish that will still be filled with animal protein and smoky flavor.

Similarly, you can swap in butter beans instead of lima beans, as the two are of the same species, with lima beans being the younger, green version and butter beans being more mature and naturally creamy. If you want more than just black pepper to elevate the smoky meat and vegetable flavors, turn up the heat with some red cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or a Louisiana-style hot sauce.

For a vegetarian-friendly spin inspired by Caroline Murphy's dish, take a cue from a simple classic succotash. This recipe calls for solely vegetable ingredients, including corn, onions, green beans, and tomatoes, along with a hearty amount of lima beans. Dress this up with a dash of liquid smoke to get an approximation of a smoky lima bean dish that's loaded with lots of nutritious vegetables. However you get inspired by Paul Newman's housekeeper's recipe for lima beans, it will surely spark plenty of creativity in the kitchen.