This bright and colorful southern succotash recipe is a delicious summer salad that is so quick and easy to make. With a healthy array of beans and vegetables, it is the perfect side dish for all your grilling.
If you are from my generation, you will clearly remember Sylvester the cat saying, “Sufferin’ succotash.” Trust me when I tell you that you will not prepare this dish without saying that half a dozen times.
This succotash recipe combines lima beans, black-eyed peas, sun-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, onions, garlic, okra, and crisp smoked bacon into a delectable side dish or light meal. I love to serve it with grilled marinated chicken, pork steaks, and t-bone steaks.
What is Succotash?
Succotash is a dish of stewed corn, lima beans, and other vegetables such as onions. tomatoes, okra. It is popular in the northeast and the south. It is generally served in the summer when corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables are plentiful.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Bacon: Preferably smoked and nitrate-free.
- Okra: Fresh is best, but it is not always available.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium broth is best. You can substitute vegetable broth.
- Tomatoes: Cherry, grape, or sun-ripened diced tomatoes.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is my go-to, but you can substitute white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or champagne vinegar.
- Fresh herbs: Parsley, thyme, dill, and chives.
How Do You Make Succotash
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Fry the bacon in a large skillet, reserving the bacon grease. Add the onions and cook until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for a minute. Stir in the lima beans, corn, black-eyed peas, okra, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender and heated through.
Reduce the heat to low, stir in the tomatoes, bacon, cider vinegar, and chopped parsley or thyme. Then, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If using fresh okra, add it to the skillet with the onions.
- Though not traditional, you can add a little Cajun or Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, or Old Bay seasoning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Serving Suggestions
Some of my favorites are grilled shrimp, dry-rub grilled pork tenderloin, and blackened mahi-mahi. Or make succotash the main entree and serve zucchini fritters, corn muffins, or cheddar bay biscuits.
More Summer Salads
Summer Succotash Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen lima beans
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen corn 15 ounces black eyed peas drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen black eyed peas
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen cut okra
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ tablespoon cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or thyme
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain. Coarsely chop. Reserve 1 tablespoon of fat.
- Add the onions and cook until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the lima beans, corn, black-eyed peas, okra, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender and heated through; about 10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, stir in the tomatoes, bacon, cider vinegar, and chopped parsley or thyme.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- If using fresh okra, add it to the skillet with the onions.
- Though not traditional, you can add a little Cajun or Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, or Old Bay seasoning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Nutrition
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Karen
This succotash was delicious, easy, and so flavorful. Thanks so much for the recipe. My family enjoyed it.
Melinda
What a great succotash recipe. We loved it including the addition of the okra. What a delicious summer side for all our burgers, brats, and ribs. Thank you
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Melinda!
Marie
I would love to try this succotash recipe. You have the best recipes. This looks good and easy to prepare.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marie! Enjoy!
Lavanda Michelle
This succotash was so vibrant and delicious! I love how you included okra. I had to use frozen but this summer I will use fresh okra and it will be even more delicious!
Beth Pierce
Yes it will!
Sammie D
I do love colorful and tasty food and this certainly delivers that. Thank you for the great recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Sammie!
Janelle C
I’d never had this dish before so I was intrigued to try it out. I love the combination of the beans, corn, garlic, tomatoes and bacon. It was such a tasty side dish. Thanks, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcom, Janelle!