Description
This Zesty Butter Beans recipe is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines creamy butter beans with a spicy tomato-based sauce seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Perfect for a quick vegetarian meal, it’s cooked on the stovetop in under 30 minutes and served garnished with fresh parsley and a splash of lemon for brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Base
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Spices
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Additional
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili flakes if using, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Cook while stirring until the mixture becomes fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Simmer Tomato Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add Butter Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed butter beans. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
- Season: Taste and season the mixture with salt and black pepper according to your preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of chili flakes or add fresh chopped chili.
- You can substitute butter beans with cannellini or great northern beans if preferred.
- Serve this dish with crusty bread or over cooked rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well on the stovetop.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by ensuring no animal-based broth is used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
