2 pounds russet or yellow potatoes, peeled (if desired) and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cans (15–16 ounces each) butter beans (lima beans), drained and rinsed
4 tablespoons bacon grease, lard, or unsalted butter
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, optional
Directions
Add the potato chunks to the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them into an even layer so they cook evenly.
Raw potatoes layered in a slow cooker
Raw potatoes layered in a slow cooker
Scatter the drained and rinsed butter beans over the potatoes.
Dot the top with the bacon grease, lard, or butter, tucking small pieces down between the potatoes and beans so the fat can melt through the whole pot.
Butter beans and butter added to potatoes in the slow cooker
Butter beans and butter added to potatoes in the slow cooker
Pour in the water, then sprinkle in the salt and black pepper (if using). Gently nudge the potatoes and beans with a spoon to settle everything, but do not stir too hard or you’ll break up the potatoes.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the butter beans are soft and creamy. The broth should look starchy and slightly thickened, with some of the potato edges melting into the liquid.
Finished potato and butter beans inside the slow cooker
Finished potato and butter beans inside the slow cooker
Once everything is tender, taste the broth and add a little more salt if needed. Give the pot a gentle stir, just enough to mix the beans and potatoes without mashing them completely.
Ladle the potatoes, butter beans, and plenty of the broth into bowls and serve hot, right from the slow cooker.
Variations & Tips
To stay true to the spirit of a three-ingredient poor man’s meal, the base of this recipe is just potatoes, butter beans, and cooking fat, with water and basic seasoning to help them along. If you have a bit more in the pantry, you can dress it up without losing its character. Stir in a chopped onion or a minced clove of garlic at the start for extra flavor, or add a bay leaf while it cooks and remove it before serving. A pinch of dried thyme or smoked paprika can add depth without changing the simple nature of the dish.
Small pantry ingredients beside the slow cooker
Small pantry ingredients beside the slow cooker
If you don’t keep bacon grease or lard, plain butter works fine; for a dairy-free version, use a neutral oil, though the flavor will be a bit lighter. You can also swap one cup of the water for chicken or vegetable broth if you have it, but water alone is how many farm families made it. For a thicker, stew-like bowl, gently mash a few potato pieces against the side of the crock near the end of cooking and stir them back in to cloud and thicken the broth.
Food safety tips: Always start with clean, scrubbed potatoes and rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium and starch. Keep the slow cooker covered during cooking so it reaches and maintains a safe temperature; do not leave it on the “warm” setting for the full cook time. If you use animal fats like bacon grease or lard, make sure they were stored properly and smell fresh before using. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, in shallow containers so they cool quickly, and use within 3 to 4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving.
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