8 Plant-Based Butter Bean Recipes

Butter beans, or lima beans, are rich in nutrients and work well in a variety of recipes. They have a consistency that is similar to butter and have a mild, sweet, and almost grassy flavor. They also soak up other flavors well and shine in soups, dips, salads, and spreads. Enjoy!

1. Basil Butter Bean Hummus

Source: Basil Butter Bean Hummus

This Basil Butter Bean Hummus by Robin Browne is loaded with the yummy basil flavors of pesto and packed with the tahini, beans, garlic, and lemon flavors that make hummus the king of snack time. It’s pretty divine.

2. Jamaican Brown Stew Mushrooms with Butter Beans

Source: Jamaican Brown Stew Mushrooms with Butter Beans

This Jamaican Brown Stew Mushrooms with Butter Beans by Trudy Geneus is packed with flavor and spices and starts with browning crimini mushrooms!

3. Creamy Dumpling and Butter Bean Stew

Source: Creamy Dumpling and Butter Bean Stew

This warming Creamy Dumpling and Butter Bean Stew by Maria Gureeva has an incredible amount of flavor, texture, and richness. The soft and fluffy dumplings are a unique twist and practically melt in your mouth. Garnish the finished stew with a fresh herb of your choice, such as dill or basil, and you certainly will not be disappointed.

Reprinted with permission from Earthy Vegan Eats by Maria Gureeva, Page Street Publishing, Co. 2021. Photo credit: Maria Gureeva.

4. Butter Bean Salad

Source: Butter Bean Salad

This Butter Bean Salad by Dominique Ebra is spectacular!

5. Sweet Potato and Quinoa Patties With a Butter Bean Tahini Sauce

Source: Sweet Potato and Quinoa Patties With a Butter Bean Tahini Sauce

This is a simple, nourishing meal that tastes amazing! These Sweet Potato and Quinoa Patties With a Butter Bean Tahini Sauce by Tiana Haines can be enjoyed as a burger or as a salad with plenty of fresh greens. For the sauce, creamy tahini and butter beans make the perfect dressing.

6. Wheat Berries, Kale, and Butter Beans Stew

Source: Wheat Berries, Kale, and Butter Beans Stew

This Wheat Berries, Kale, and Butter Beans Stew by Elsa Brobbey is a simple, flavor-packed hearty meal sautéed in a little bit of olive oil with kale, onions, and spices. It’s filling on its own for lunch, you can bring it to a picnic or potluck, or make it a part of a nice evening meal. Butter beans bring heft to the dish; they add a boost of protein and fiber, making it a complete meal.

7. Butter Bean and Root Veggie Stew With Herby Dumplings

Source: Butter Bean and Root Veggie Stew With Herby Dumplings

This Butter Bean and Root Veggie Stew With Herby Dumplings by Emily Wilkinson makes the most of root vegetables, cooking potato, carrot, and parsnip, as well as butter beans, into a thick, savory stew. Top that with plump, golden, herb-stuffed vegetable suet dumplings, and there’s nothing better.

8. Superfood Butter Bean Burgers

Source: Superfood Butter Bean Burgers

These Superfood Butter Bean Burgers by Natalie Tamara are exactly how they sound — full of superfoods and full of butter beans! These dense, meaty burgers are packed with chia seeds, quinoa flakes, whole grains, and, of course, beans! Enjoy them with a side of salsa and sweet potato fries. Whether or not you serve it on a bun is entirely up to you.

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