What Is the Difference Between Lima Beans & Butter Beans?

Identification

• Lima and butter beans both come from a seeded annual plant. Sometimes called baby lima beans, butter beans are usually of the Dixie or Henderson variety.

Features

• Lima beans are slightly larger than butter beans, and are green, curved and flat. Butter beans are smaller and have a tan, speckled appearance when they are raw. Butter beans are typically referred to as the Sieva type of the Phaseolus lunatus species.

Benefits

• Both the lima and butter bean are healthy choices, but their nutritional content differs slightly. A ¼-cup serving of lima beans contains 150 calories, while a ¼-cup serving of butter beans contains 170 calories, according to the University of Florida. Butter beans have a small amount of fat and a higher iron content than lima beans.