Curried Butter Beans Recipe
Imagine a dish that’s hearty, vibrant, and utterly comforting, while also being quick and easy enough for a weeknight dinner—that’s the magic of Curried Butter Beans. This Indian-inspired meal brings together rich, creamy butter beans simmered in a savory coconut-curry sauce, perfectly balancing tangy tomatoes, warming spices, and a hint of heat. Every bite is a celebration of flavor and texture, designed to brighten your table and win over absolutely everyone who tries it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Curried Butter Beans requires just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, each adding its own unique personality to the pot. These simple staples work in harmony to create a meal that’s deeply flavorful, colorful, and satisfying from the very first spoonful.
- Butter Beans: These creamy legumes form the heart of the dish, lending body, protein, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture to every bite.
- Olive Oil: A splash of olive oil adds richness and helps gently sauté the aromatic base.
- Onion: Freshly chopped onion brings sweetness and depth, forming the flavorful backbone of the curry.
- Garlic: Minced garlic gives the sauce its irresistible aroma and classic savoriness.
- Fresh Ginger: Grated ginger offers a warm, zesty pop that brightens up the entire dish.
- Curry Powder: This blend of spices sets the tone, infusing the beans with a golden color and bold flavor.
- Ground Cumin: Earthy cumin rounds out the spice profile and adds a subtle complexity.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who love a little kick, cayenne brings gentle heat—add as much or as little as you like.
- Diced Tomatoes: Juicy, tangy tomatoes create a lively sauce base and help marry the flavors together.
- Vegetable Broth: Broth provides depth and keeps the sauce luscious without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk lends creaminess and a hint of sweetness, transforming the sauce into something utterly craveable.
- Salt: Just enough salt enhances all the natural flavors and ties the dish together.
- Black Pepper: A dash of pepper awakens the spices and gives extra warmth.
- Fresh Cilantro: Chopped cilantro is the finishing touch, adding vibrant color and herbal freshness right before serving.
- Cooked Rice or Flatbread: You’ll want a pile of fluffy rice or warm flatbread to soak up every last drop of this glorious curry.
How to Make Curried Butter Beans
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by warming olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. As soon as the oil glistens, add your finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until it softens and starts to turn golden. Next, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger—just a minute or two is enough to release their gorgeous fragrances and deepen the base of your curry.
Step 2: Toast the Spices
Pour in the curry powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper (if you love a bit of spice). Let the spices toast in the pan for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. This quick “blooming” step unlocks their full flavor and makes the sauce sing with warmth and complexity.
Step 3: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Now, it’s time to introduce your diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and creamy coconut milk to the mix. Pour them in and give everything a good stir, allowing the ingredients to meld into a rich, fragrant sauce that’s already begging to be tasted.
Step 4: Simmer with the Butter Beans
Gently fold in the drained, rinsed butter beans, along with a bit of salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken and the beans to absorb all those wonderful flavors. For a creamier consistency, mash a few beans against the side of the pan as you go.
Step 5: Taste and Finish
Before serving, taste your Curried Butter Beans and adjust seasoning if needed. Tuck in some fresh greens like spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering if you’re in the mood. Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro for a touch of color and herbal brightness, then pile into bowls alongside rice or flatbread. This is comfort food at its very best!
How to Serve Curried Butter Beans
Garnishes
A rainfall of chopped fresh cilantro is classic, but you can take your Curried Butter Beans over the top with toasted coconut flakes, thinly sliced red chili, or a dollop of vegan yogurt for an extra pop of color and contrast. The right garnish not only looks stunning, but adds a fresh, vibrant finish that elevates every spoonful.
Side Dishes
Curried Butter Beans simply beg to be paired with fluffy, steaming basmati rice or a basket of warm naan or roti. For a full meal, add a crisp cucumber-tomato salad, roasted vegetables, or a tangy mango chutney on the side. Each accompaniment soaks up the flavorful sauce and turns an already satisfying dish into a dazzling feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving Curried Butter Beans stuffing baked sweet potatoes, spooned onto sourdough toast, or swirled atop creamy polenta. These creative vessels soak up all that luscious curry sauce and make dinnertime feel brand new. Or serve as part of an Indian-inspired mezze spread with other small plates for a colorful crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Curried Butter Beans taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to mingle! Let leftovers cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. This curry stays creamy, satisfying, and ready to reheat whenever hunger strikes.
Freezing
For longer storage, pack cooled Curried Butter Beans into freezer-friendly containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge, and you’ll have a vibrant, warming meal waiting in your freezer whenever you need it most.
Reheating
To reheat, simply spoon your Curried Butter Beans into a saucepan and gently warm over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in a covered bowl until hot. Finish with fresh cilantro for that just-made magic.
FAQs
Can I use dried butter beans instead of canned?
Absolutely! If you have dried butter beans, soak them overnight and cook until tender before using in the recipe. You’ll need about 3 cups cooked beans to replace the two cans. This adds a little prep time, but the result is just as delicious.
Is this recipe spicy?
Curried Butter Beans are mild by default, but you’re in charge of the heat! The cayenne pepper adds a gentle kick, so feel free to increase, decrease, or omit it based on your spice preference. You can always serve extra chili on the side for heat seekers.
How can I make the sauce creamier?
For extra creaminess, simply mash a portion of the butter beans in the pan while simmering, or add an extra splash of coconut milk toward the end. This trick transforms the sauce into a velvety, scoopable dream!
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely. Curried Butter Beans are wonderfully versatile—try stirring in a couple handfuls of baby spinach, kale, diced bell peppers, or even peas during the last few minutes of cooking. The extra color and nutrition make the dish even more irresistible.
Is this meal suitable for meal prep?
Yes! Curried Butter Beans keep beautifully in the fridge and freezer, making them a fantastic choice for meal prepping your lunches or dinners. Pack into individual containers with rice or flatbread for ready-to-reheat meals all week long.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to imagine a dish more satisfying, flexible, or downright cozy than Curried Butter Beans. Whether you’re cooking for guests or just craving some weeknight comfort, this recipe is bound to become a cherished favorite. Give it a try—your taste buds are in for a treat!
Print
Curried Butter Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
A delicious and aromatic vegan curry recipe featuring butter beans cooked in a rich and flavorful coconut milk-based sauce with a blend of spices. This Indian-inspired dish is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice or flatbread.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- cooked rice or flatbread for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion: Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add aromatics: Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Spice it up: Add curry powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper if using, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add liquids: Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and coconut milk, stirring to combine.
- Simmer with beans: Add butter beans, salt, and pepper, and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice or flatbread.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, mash some of the butter beans in the sauce before serving.
- You can add spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired, Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 ¼ cups
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
