Corn Succotash with Bacon
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Contrary to popular belief, this fresh corn side dish doesn’t get its origins in the South, but we sure like to claim it as our own. Corn succotash combines all the goodness of summer — sweet corn, lima beans, and cherry tomatoes — into one colorful dish that’s equally tasty served hot or at room temperature, as a side, or even as a light meal.
Why you’ll love this Southern Succotash Recipe!
Cooking diced onion and fresh cut-off corn kernels in bacon drippings infuses this easy succotash recipe with amazing flavor. At the end of cooking, top it all off with chopped basil for even more freshness. My family loves this Summer succotash so much, I can’t make it often enough!
Key ingredients and substitutions
- Sweet corn — The fresher, the better! Look for corn on the cob with fresh, green husks and tender white or yellow silks. Dark brown silks and brown spots on the tip of the husk indicate the corn is not as fresh and could be drying out.
- Lima beans — Use either fresh or frozen, cooked until al dente.
- Tomatoes — Add small cherry or grape tomatoes near the end of cooking so that they don’t break down too much. They should be warmed through and soft, but not like stewed tomatoes.
- Bacon — Fried until crisp, use a small amount of the rendered fat to cook the onions and corn.
How to make Corn and Lima Beans
I like to serve my sweet corn succotash Southern-style with bacon, but you can certainly leave it out completely to make it a vegan dish. Both variations are fresh and delicious!
STEP 1 | Prep the vegetables
Use a sharp knife or corn tool to slice off the fresh corn kernels into a bowl, dice the onion, and slice the tomatoes in half.
Cook the frozen lima beans in the microwave per the package instructions, but reduce the time by about half. They will finish cooking in the skillet with the corn.
STEP 2 | Fry the bacon
Choose a large, deep non-stick skillet or a cast iron pan so you have plenty of room to stir the food during cooking.
Pan fry 3 to 4 slices of bacon until it is crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the rendered fat in the frying pan.
Save the rest of the bacon drippings in your refrigerator for up to 3 months to use in other recipes.
STEP 2 | Sauté the onions and corn
In the same pan, cook the onion and and cut off corn over medium hight heat until the onions are translucent and the corn is tender. You should be able to easily pierce the kernels with the tip of a paring knife.
As the corn heats up, sugars will release and the kernels should get slightly caramelized. Stir often so that it does not burn.
STEP 3 | Add lima beans and tomatoes
Lower the heat and add the lima beans and tomatoes. Cook and stir for about 1 minute, until the beans are tender and the tomatoes are warmed through.
STEP 4 | Garnish and serve
Crumble up the bacon slices and stir it into the succotash. Taste and adjust the seasoning. If your bacon is particularly salty, you may not need to add much more. A few grinds of black pepper is always nice, though.
Serve directly from the skillet or transfer the succotash to a bowl. Just before serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves cut into a chiffonade.
tip
- Basil flavor is most vibrant just after it has been torn or cut. Once it hits the heat of the dish, its flavor will slowly start to fade. When reheating and eating leftovers, snip some new basil leaves and add them again to the dish to brighten it up.
Variations and substitutions
- Load Up the Veggies. Many succotash recipes also incorporate chopped zucchini, red bell pepper, or edamame.
- Make it Vegan. Leave out the bacon, and substitute a couple tablespoons of either extra virgin olive oil (for vegan) or unsalted butter.
- Fresh Herbs. Herbs add a touch of fresh flavor to finish off a dish. Here, I prefer basil cut into a chiffonade, but you could also use fresh oregano or tarragon.
Storage and reheating tips
- Leftover succotash may be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, although the fresh basil will turn a darker color. If you know you’ll have leftovers, don’t add the basil until you are plating.
- To reheat leftovers, place them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and the bacon bits begin to sizzle. Top with more fresh basil to serve.
Frequently asked questions
You could use frozen corn, but I don’t recommend doing so. You definitely should not substitute canned corn.
Cooked succotash will keep for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To reheat leftovers, place them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and the bacon bits begin to sizzle. Top with more fresh basil to serve.
Looking for more farmer’s market recipes?
My roasted okra is topped with a fantastic honey-mustard-bacon dressing — YUM! Or, I have a cheesy casserole that’s a great way to use up an abundance of Summer squash.
Serving suggestions
My Southern version is a simple recipe you can make in just 30 minutes. I especially like to serve it alongside oven BBQ chicken breast or catfish.
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Corn Succotash
Ingredients
- 3 – 4 slices bacon
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 ears fresh corn 3 cups kernels
- 1 ½ cups frozen lima beans cooked al dente
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves sliced in chiffonade
- Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet over medium heat cook the bacon until it is crisp, about 8 – 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Increase the heat to medium high. Add the onions, corn, and garlic to the skillet, and cook 5 10 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and the corn is slightly caramelized.
- Lower the heat to medium, and stir in the lima beans and tomatoes. Cook for another minute, until the beans are tender but still crisp.
- Crumble the cooked bacon and add to the succotash. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Top with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Cooked succotash will keep for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat leftovers, place them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and the bacon bits begin to sizzle. Top with more fresh basil to serve.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
