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Oh, baby! This recipe uses delicious Butter Beans (who in my opinion are having a MOMENT) to create a creamy, tomato-based bean recipe that’ll knock your socks off. It’s warming, comforting, and the perfect main dish when paired with a salad and crusty bread, or as a side dish. I promise you, you’re going to love this.
Why You’ll Love These Butter Beans
- Creamy: What I love so much about this recipe is how creamy it is. The creaminess comes from tahini and it’s the perfect sidekick to the tomato-base
- Comforting: Butter beans are so buttery and delicious. They make the perfect comfort food, and this creamy masterpiece will warm you from the inside
- Versatile: Meal prep these for lunches, eat them as a main course or a side, or make them your own by adding in other veggies
Ingredients
Butter Beans – Also known as lima beans, butter beans are a small bean that has a creamy and buttery flavor. They are so versatile and can be added to things like salads, soups, or stews. Bonus points for it being a healthy, plant-based protein
Maria Koutsogiannia
Maria is the creator of FoodByMaria and your go-to Greek food expert for cozy, flavor-packed recipes. Inspired by her Mediterranean roots, she brings traditional Greek flavors, feel-good ingredients, and a whole lot of joy to everyday cooking.
Tahini – Tahini is made with hulled sesame seeds, oil, and salt. It makes a creamy, smooth seed butter that can be added to sauces, and dressing, and is one of the key ingredients in hummus. Tahini is also a source of healthy fats, calcium, and magnesium
How to Make Butter Beans
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a large high-sided frying pan or pot. Heat to medium heat and add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and pinch of chili flakes. Cook for 4-5 minutes to soften, stirring often. Add the butter beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes on medium-low with the lid mostly on, until most of the liquid has evaporated and you’re left with creamy beans. Make sure to stir occasionally.
- After 20-25 minutes, in a small bowl whisk together tahini, pressed garlic, and lemon juice until combined. Then add the water and whisk again until smooth. Add the tahini mixture to the beans, stir, and cook for 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
- Enjoy topped with a drizzle of olive oil, and garnish with fresh oregano, parsley, and lemon zest. Serve with a side of our Pita Bread or another bread of choice.
Variations
There are so many fantastic recipes you can make with butter beans, here are some that I love to make:
Substitutions
Here are some easy substitutes you can make in this recipe to make it your own or use what you have on hand:
- Chili Flakes: You can totally add more than a pinch if you prefer your butter beans to be spicy
- Veggies: Add in some of your fav veggies to this dish like zucchini or mushrooms
- Toppings: Top this recipe with your favorite fresh herbs or even some cheese like feta
Best served with
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers of this recipe in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This dish is so good even leftover.
Common Questions
Yes! These are exactly the same thing and can be called either or when looking for them in the grocery store.
They are rich in vitamins and minerals, and a great source of potassium, magnesium, among other things. These can be a great addition to your diet by adding them in curries, soups, stews, salads, or dishes like this recipe.
Totally! Some good substitutes are cannellini beans, northern beans, navy beans, or chickpeas. You can also use a combination of whatever you like best.
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Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- pinch chili flakes
- 3 14oz cans of butter beans, drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup vegetable broth (can use chicken broth if not vegan or veggie)
- 1 ¾ cups diced tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed
- juice of one lemon
- ¼ cup water
- garnishes: fresh oregano, fresh parsley and lemon zest
Instructions
Start Cooking- Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a large high-sided frying pan or pot. Heat to medium heat and add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper and pinch of chili flakes. Cook for 4-5 minutes to soften, stirring often. Add the butter beans, diced tomatoes and broth of choice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes on medium-low with the lid mostly on, until most of the liquid has evaporated and you’re left with creamy beans. Make sure to stir occasionally.
- After 20-25 minutes, in a small bowl whisk together tahini, pressed garlic and lemon juice until combined. Then add the water and whisk again until smooth.
- Add the tahini mixture to the beans, stir and cook for 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
- Enjoy topped with a drizzle of olive oil, garnish with fresh oregano and parsley and lemon zest. Serve with a side of our Pita Bread or another bread of choice.
Notes
- Delicious served with our Fluffy Greek Pita Bread Recipe and/or our Maroulosalata aka my Mama’s Salad
- If you like this recipe you’re sure to enjoy our other butter beans recipes like Butter Beans Curry Bake or Spring Butter Bean Stew
17 people are discussing this recipe. Join in
Those were the best beans I have ever had. Adding the Tahini and the lemon made such a difference! I will keep making these! I added a fresh Chili instead of chilli flakes as we like it spicy and it was soo good!
This makes me so happy, Jessica!! Thank you so much!
Those were the best beans I have ever had. Adding the Tahini and the lemon made such a difference! I will keep making these! I added a fresh Chili instead of chilli flakes as we like it spicy and it was soo good!
I have 2 little boys and everyone including the husband (who can be just as picky!) gave this a thumbs up! My 5 yr old said he could eat it everyday 😂. Super simple, made along side your Greek marinaded chicken thighs and homemade bread. Delicious! Will be a staple around here.
this makes me so happy, thank you so much, stephanie!
I dont have tahini on hand?
Hi, if you can’t access tahini use greek yogurt or something else that you have that is creamy.
This recipe was so easy, quick, and delicious! It’s going on our regular rotation.
Thank you so much hun!
I have made this like 4 times now & got my mom hooked on this recipe too!!
I love this dish so much! So glad you and your mom love it too hun!
Tahini! Who knew? So great!! Another amazing recipe!
This makes me so happy!!!! Thank you hun!!!
Fabulous! I’ve never made them with tahini. They may be trendy now, but they’ve been popular for a long time. I only know that cause I’m old! I actually prefer butter beans and great Northern beans for making dips, way more than garbanzo beans.
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So glad you loved this hun!!!!!
Delicious! Saw the post and stood right up to make it. Absolutely fabulous and a perfect addition to my dinner tonight (and probably lunch tomorrow, on its own…)!
YES!!! I love this so much!!!