Butter Beans with Garlic, Lemon and Herbs Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Butter Beans recipe infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon finish. This dish combines aromatic spices toasted in olive oil with tender butter beans simmered in vegetable broth, making for a warm, vibrant, and healthy side or main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Urfa pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Main Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 green onions, trimmed and chopped (both white and green parts)
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped parsley
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped dill
Instructions
- Toast the seasonings: Set a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the red pepper flakes, Urfa pepper (if using), cumin, smoked paprika, minced garlic, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Stir continuously just until the garlic becomes fragrant, approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to let the garlic brown to avoid bitterness.
- Simmer the beans: Add the drained butter beans to the skillet along with the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently until the beans are warmed through and the broth slightly thickens, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice, chopped green onions, parsley, and dill. Mix well to combine all the flavors. Serve the dish warm, accompanied with crusty bread, cooked rice, or tossed with plain pasta for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Urfa pepper is optional but adds a unique smoky heat; it can be substituted with regular crushed red pepper flakes if unavailable.
- To make the dish vegan and vegetarian-friendly, ensure the vegetable broth used is plant-based.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, lightly mash some of the butter beans during simmering.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste for desired acidity and brightness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: butter beans, garlic beans, lemon butter beans, herb butter beans, vegetarian side dish, Mediterranean recipes, easy stovetop recipe
