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My easy butter beans recipe makes a healthy and flavorful side dish. Everything is made in just one skillet and comes together in under 30 minutes!
Love legume-filled recipes? Try my great northern beans, Tuscan white bean soup, Instant Pot white chicken chili, and Mexican soup next.
I like to change up my family’s veggie side dishes to keep things interesting and also nutritious (hello, gut health). As a way to incorporate more legumes into our diet, I’ve been making my classic butter beans recipe quite frequently!
Now, these aren’t your boring and bland butter beans here. It ALL comes down to the preparation, and my recipe doesn’t skimp on flavor at all! I simmer the beans in a flavorful broth that is so delicious that I’ve often eaten it as a meal on its own (with some crusty sourdough for dunking!).
What are butter beans?
Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are a type of legume known for their creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. They can be used in a variety of dishes (I LOVE them in stews and soups!) and are rich in fiber, protein, and essential nutrients like iron and magnesium (source).
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Simple yet flavorful. I love that everything cooks in one pot, and it needs very little hands-on time.
- Nourishing. These beans are naturally packed with protein and fiber, and the vegetables in the broth keep you full for hours!
- Budget-friendly. I purposely kept the ingredients in my butter bean recipe budget-friendly to give you a break! Best of all, it makes enough for your weekly meal prep or to feed the whole family.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These are the best warm butter beans ever. I love to amp up my dinners with them” – Elaine
Ingredients needed
- Butter beans. For this recipe, I used fresh butter beans, which are a variety of lima beans. Dried lima beans also work well, but they need to be soaked overnight. You technically can use canned butter beans, but only add them at the end of the cooking process, or else they will disintegrate into the broth.
- Olive oil. To sauté the aromatics.
- Aromatics. A blend of onion, carrot, green bell pepper, and garlic cloves takes this simple dish from good to great!
- Italian seasoning. I used store-bought Italian seasoning to keep this recipe easy. Feel free to make your own with dried oregano, basil, rosemary, marjoram, and thyme.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Vegetable broth. The beans simmer in the broth, helping them soften and absorb flavor.
How to cook butter beans
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Sauté the aromatics. Sauté the onions in a hot oiled skillet until translucent. Next, add the carrots and green bell pepper and cook until they start to soften. Finally, add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Step 2 – Add beans and spices. Stir the beans, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the skillet.
Step 3 – Simmer. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer until the beans are fork-tender.
Step 4 – Season to taste, then serve. Give the beans a taste, adjust the seasonings if needed, and enjoy!
What to serve with this dish
The mild and creamy nature of butter beans makes them super versatile. I like to serve them alongside crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth or as a side dish for meat dishes, such as my grilled chicken thighs, 3-2-1 ribs, or sirloin tip roast. You can also serve these beans with basmati rice or quinoa, or in a pre-made Mediterranean bowl to absorb their delicious flavors.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Fresh vs. dried beans. I tested this recipe with young, fresh butter beans, which, in my opinion, have the best taste and texture. You can use dried butter beans as well but they need to be soaked overnight.
- Rinse them well. Regardless of whether you use fresh or dried beans, rinse them under cold water to remove any debris before cooking.
- Don’t overcook the beans. Beans become mushy when they’re overcooked, so keep an eye on your skillet! You’re aiming for a tender yet slightly firm texture.
- Play with the flavors. I like to give this bean dish a refreshing hit of acidity with a splash of lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or white wine.
- Meat is welcome. Swap the vegetable broth for chicken broth or add pre-cooked smoked meat, like my pastrami, turkey pastrami, bacon, pancetta, prosciutto, or smoked ham, during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Finish with fresh herbs. Take this dish up a notch with a garnish of freshly chopped parsley or chives!
Storage instructions
To store: Let the leftover butter beans cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze: Once cool, transfer the beans to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3 to 4 months.
Reheating: Gently reheat the beans in the microwave or a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of vegetable broth.
Frequently asked questions
No, you don’t have to soak fresh butter beans before cooking. However, briefly blanching them in boiling water can tenderize the beans while maintaining their vibrant color.
Any type of bean with a similar texture and flavor will work here, like great Northern beans, cannellini beans, or navy beans. Chickpeas also work well, despite their slightly nuttier taste.
More vegetable side dishes to try
- Sauteed spinach
- Roasted potatoes and carrots
- Microwave baked potato
- Microwave sweet potato
- Or any of my veggie side recipes
Warm Butter Beans
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups butter beans fresh
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large carrot chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt or more
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent. Add the diced carrot and green bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the butter beans, followed by the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine the ingredients. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the fresh butter beans are tender.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published December 2023, updated and republished October 2024
These butter beans are PACKED with flavor and made such a yummy side dish for our roast.
Perfect dinner for now winter time. Beans are actually so nutritios.
I have never tried beans in this type of dish. I must try it and let you know how it was.