16 Complete Protein Pairings with Lima Beans

Summary:

  • Lima bean contains a moderate amount of protein - about 10.7 grams per cup.
  • However, lima bean provides only 8 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on methionine.[1]
  • Lima bean pairs well with brazil nut, pili nut, chia seeds, sesame seeds or wild rice to create a complete protein profile. [2] More lima bean pairings and detailed analysis below.

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

World Health Organization [2], National Academy Press [3]

We analyzed the amino acid composition of lima beans, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with lima beans that creates a complete protein profile. Read on to discover new combinations of foods to enjoy!

Details on how we calculate complete protein profiles.

image of lima beans source

Amount of Protein in Lima Beans

A decent source of supplementary protein, a single cup of lima beans contains 10.7 grams of protein, or about 21% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with lima beans alone, you will need 4.7 cups of lima beans (730 grams) for an average female, or 5.6 cups of lima beans for males. [4] That's about 826 calories.

Full nutritional profile for lima beans
USDA Source: Lima beans, immature seeds, raw

Macronutrients in 1 cup (156g) of lima beans:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
8.8% 176 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
2.1% 1.3 grams
Protein
21.3% 10.7 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Lima Beans

Proportionally, lima bean does contain abundant amounts of 8 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, lima bean is a little short on methionine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with lima bean alone, you will have to eat 8.1 cups of lima beans (1265 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 73% more lima bean to compensate for the lack of methionine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 cup (156g) of lima beans:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
21.3% 10.67g
Histidine
57.4% 0.362g
Isoleucine
79.8% 0.686g
Leucine
44.4% 0.839g
Lysine
41.2% 0.705g
Methionine
12.3% 0.106g
Phenylalanine
35.3% 0.526g
Threonine
50.3% 0.452g
Tryptophan
54% 0.14g
Valine
61.7% 0.666g

More Complete Protein with Lima Beans

Top vegan pairings with lima beans include:
  1. Brazil Nut
  2. Pili Nut
  3. Chia Seeds
  4. Sesame Seeds
  5. Wild Rice
  6. Hemp Seeds
  7. Poppy Seeds
  8. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  9. Nori
  10. Chestnut
  11. White Rice
  12. Cornmeal
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with lima beans. These include:
  1. Mayonnaise
  2. Sour Cream
  3. Caramel
  4. Egg

Vegan 1. Brazil Nut and Lima Beans


image of brazil nut
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, brazil nut is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.6 cup of lima beans (92g) and 1.5 teaspoons of brazil nut (4g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.05 to 1:0.09 for lima bean to brazil nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for brazil nut
USDA Source: Nuts, brazilnuts, dried, unblanched

Table of amino acids of 0.6 cup lima beans and 1.5 tsp brazil nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13.8% 6.9g
Histidine
36.6% 0.23g
Isoleucine
49.5% 0.43g
Leucine
28.8% 0.54g
Lysine
25.5% 0.44g
Methionine
12.9% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
22.6% 0.34g
Threonine
31.3% 0.28g
Tryptophan
34% 0.09g
Valine
39.3% 0.42g

Vegan 2. Pili Nut and Lima Beans


image of pili nut
image of lima beans

Pili nut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.5 cup of lima beans (78g) and 2 tablespoons of pili nut (15g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.19 to 1:0.6 for lima bean to pili nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pili nut
USDA Source: Nuts, pilinuts, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 2 tbsp pili nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13.8% 6.9g
Histidine
34.7% 0.22g
Isoleucine
48.1% 0.41g
Leucine
29.1% 0.55g
Lysine
23.8% 0.41g
Methionine
12.9% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
22.5% 0.34g
Threonine
31.8% 0.29g
Tryptophan
37.7% 0.1g
Valine
40.4% 0.44g

Vegan 3. Chia Seeds and Lima Beans


image of chia seeds
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, chia seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.5 cup of lima beans (78g) and 0.4 ounce of chia seeds (10g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.13:1 of chia seed to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 0.4 oz chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14% 7g
Histidine
37.2% 0.23g
Isoleucine
49.3% 0.42g
Leucine
29.5% 0.56g
Lysine
26.3% 0.45g
Methionine
13.1% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
24.5% 0.37g
Threonine
33.1% 0.3g
Tryptophan
43.9% 0.11g
Valine
39.7% 0.43g

Vegan 4. Sesame Seeds and Lima Beans


image of sesame seeds
image of lima beans

Sesame seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.5 cup of lima beans (78g) and 1.2 tablespoons of sesame seeds (11g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.15 to 1:3 for lima bean to sesame seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sesame seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sesame seeds, whole, roasted and toasted

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 1.2 tbsp sesame seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14.5% 7.3g
Histidine
37.7% 0.24g
Isoleucine
49.5% 0.43g
Leucine
30% 0.57g
Lysine
24.2% 0.41g
Methionine
13.5% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
24.5% 0.36g
Threonine
34% 0.31g
Tryptophan
43.2% 0.11g
Valine
40.8% 0.44g

Vegan 5. Wild Rice and Lima Beans


image of wild rice
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, wild rice is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.5 cup of lima beans (74g) and 0.3 cup of wild rice (56g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.8 to 1:23 for lima bean to wild rice by weight.

Full nutritional profile for wild rice
USDA Source: Wild rice, cooked

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 0.3 cup wild rice :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14.7% 7.3g
Histidine
36.7% 0.23g
Isoleucine
49% 0.42g
Leucine
29.4% 0.56g
Lysine
25.2% 0.43g
Methionine
13.7% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
24.2% 0.36g
Threonine
31.9% 0.29g
Tryptophan
36.4% 0.09g
Valine
41.5% 0.45g

Vegan 6. Hemp Seeds and Lima Beans


image of hemp seeds
image of lima beans

Hemp seed is a great source of protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.5 cup of lima beans (74g) and 0.7 tablespoon of hemp seeds (7g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.1 to 1:3 for lima bean to hemp seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hemp seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, hemp seed, hulled

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 0.7 tbsp hemp seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14.7% 7.4g
Histidine
38.5% 0.24g
Isoleucine
48.8% 0.42g
Leucine
29.4% 0.56g
Lysine
25% 0.43g
Methionine
13.7% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
23.8% 0.36g
Threonine
34.1% 0.31g
Tryptophan
36% 0.09g
Valine
41.3% 0.45g

Vegan 7. Poppy Seeds and Lima Beans


image of poppy seeds
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, poppy seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.5 cup of lima beans (71g) and 5 teaspoons of poppy seeds (14g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.2:1 of poppy seed to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for poppy seeds
USDA Source: Spices, poppy seed

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 5 tsp poppy seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14.7% 7.3g
Histidine
36.5% 0.23g
Isoleucine
49.5% 0.43g
Leucine
29.9% 0.56g
Lysine
26.5% 0.45g
Methionine
13.7% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
23.1% 0.34g
Threonine
33.4% 0.3g
Tryptophan
34.3% 0.09g
Valine
42.1% 0.45g

Vegan 8. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Lima Beans


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of lima beans

Hedge mustard seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.4 cup of lima beans (62g) and 0.3 cup of hedge mustard seeds (22g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.36:1 of hedge mustard seed to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.3 cup hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14% 7g
Histidine
34.6% 0.22g
Isoleucine
48.8% 0.42g
Leucine
32.4% 0.61g
Lysine
27.1% 0.46g
Methionine
13% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
22.9% 0.34g
Threonine
37.3% 0.34g
Tryptophan
44.5% 0.12g
Valine
39.3% 0.42g

Vegan 9. Nori and Lima Beans


image of nori
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, nori is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.4 cup of lima beans (65g) and 20 sheets of nori (52g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.8:1 of nori to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for nori
USDA Source: Seaweed, laver, raw

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 20 sheet nori :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
14.9% 7.5g
Histidine
35.5% 0.22g
Isoleucine
48.9% 0.42g
Leucine
32.3% 0.61g
Lysine
23.9% 0.41g
Methionine
13.9% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
24.2% 0.36g
Threonine
34.3% 0.31g
Tryptophan
31.1% 0.08g
Valine
45.1% 0.49g

Vegan 10. Chestnut and Lima Beans


image of chestnut
image of lima beans

Chestnut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.4 cup of lima beans (65g) and 0.8 cup of chestnut (111g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.7:1 of chestnut to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chestnut
USDA Source: Nuts, chestnuts, european, roasted

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.8 cup chestnut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
16% 8g
Histidine
39.5% 0.25g
Isoleucine
49.4% 0.43g
Leucine
29.6% 0.56g
Lysine
29.4% 0.5g
Methionine
14.9% 0.13g
Phenylalanine
24.7% 0.37g
Threonine
34.9% 0.31g
Tryptophan
37.4% 0.1g
Valine
44.1% 0.48g

Vegan 11. White Rice and Lima Beans


image of white rice
image of lima beans

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, white rice is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.4 cup of lima beans (62g) and 0.8 cup of white rice (146g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:2.3 to 1:33 for lima bean to white rice by weight.

Full nutritional profile for white rice
USDA Source: Rice, white, medium-grain, enriched, cooked

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.8 cup white rice :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
15.5% 7.8g
Histidine
36% 0.23g
Isoleucine
49.5% 0.43g
Leucine
33% 0.62g
Lysine
23.8% 0.41g
Methionine
14.4% 0.12g
Phenylalanine
26.6% 0.4g
Threonine
33.9% 0.31g
Tryptophan
37.4% 0.1g
Valine
44.3% 0.48g

Vegan 12. Cornmeal and Lima Beans


image of cornmeal
image of lima beans

Cornmeal is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.4 cup of lima beans (65g) and 0.3 cup of cornmeal (37g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.6 to 1:1.8 for lima bean to cornmeal by weight.

Full nutritional profile for cornmeal
USDA Source: Cornmeal, yellow (Navajo)

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.3 cup cornmeal :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
16.2% 8.1g
Histidine
39.6% 0.25g
Isoleucine
49.3% 0.42g
Leucine
43.7% 0.83g
Lysine
23.8% 0.41g
Methionine
15.1% 0.13g
Phenylalanine
27.2% 0.41g
Threonine
33.7% 0.3g
Tryptophan
29.7% 0.08g
Valine
42.8% 0.46g

Vegetarian 13. Mayonnaise and Lima Beans


image of mayonnaise
image of lima beans

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.5 cup of lima beans (74g) and 0.7 cup of mayonnaise (158g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.1:1 of mayonnaise to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 0.7 cup mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13.2% 6.6g
Histidine
33.9% 0.21g
Isoleucine
49.9% 0.43g
Leucine
29.1% 0.55g
Lysine
26.3% 0.45g
Methionine
12.3% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
22.8% 0.34g
Threonine
33.6% 0.3g
Tryptophan
36% 0.09g
Valine
40.2% 0.43g

Vegetarian 14. Sour Cream and Lima Beans


image of sour cream
image of lima beans

Sour cream is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.4 cup of lima beans (68g) and 0.4 cup of sour cream (73g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.1:1 of sour cream to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.4 cup sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
12.8% 6.4g
Histidine
35.6% 0.22g
Isoleucine
48.5% 0.42g
Leucine
31.7% 0.6g
Lysine
29.6% 0.51g
Methionine
12% 0.1g
Phenylalanine
23% 0.34g
Threonine
33.3% 0.3g
Tryptophan
35.2% 0.09g
Valine
39.9% 0.43g

Vegetarian 15. Caramel and Lima Beans


image of caramel
image of lima beans

Low in protein, caramel is high in methionine, which is complementary to lima bean.

A ratio of 0.4 cup of lima beans (65g) and 0.5 cup of caramel (154g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:2.4 to 1:18 for lima bean to caramel by weight.

Full nutritional profile for caramel
USDA Source: Toppings, butterscotch or caramel

Table of amino acids of 0.4 cup lima beans and 0.5 cup caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
12.6% 6.3g
Histidine
33.7% 0.21g
Isoleucine
49.2% 0.42g
Leucine
30.2% 0.57g
Lysine
27.7% 0.47g
Methionine
11.8% 0.1g
Phenylalanine
22% 0.33g
Threonine
32.2% 0.29g
Tryptophan
22.5% 0.06g
Valine
39.7% 0.43g

Vegetarian 16. Egg and Lima Beans


image of egg
image of lima beans

Egg is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of lima bean.

For example, 0.5 cup of lima beans (71g) and 0.3 egg (17g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.23:1 of egg to lima bean will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for egg
USDA Source: Egg, whole, raw, fresh

Table of amino acids of 0.5 cup lima beans and 0.3 large egg :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [20] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
13.9% 6.9g
Histidine
34.2% 0.22g
Isoleucine
49.2% 0.42g
Leucine
29.7% 0.56g
Lysine
27.6% 0.47g
Methionine
12.9% 0.11g
Phenylalanine
23.6% 0.35g
Threonine
33.1% 0.3g
Tryptophan
35.2% 0.09g
Valine
41.2% 0.44g


Complete Protein Pairings

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