Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans Recipe
If comfort and sunshine could be served in a bowl, it would taste exactly like these Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans. This gorgeously silky, zesty bean dish has quickly become one of my dinnertime saviors—think buttery beans swaddled in a dreamy lemon-garlic sauce, kissed with fresh herbs, and ready in under 30 minutes! Every forkful bursts with bright Mediterranean flavor, and it’s hearty enough to be a satisfying main or a star side dish. Whether you’re entertaining friends or just craving something cozy and vibrant, Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans are pure magic on the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of surprisingly simple ingredients, but each one is crucial—bringing either creaminess, a pop of lemon, or that irresistible savory depth. Here’s why these particular picks are the secret to irresistible Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans:
- Olive oil: Adds rich flavor and helps sauté the garlic for the perfect aromatic base.
- Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic is essential for a robust, fragrant kick.
- Butter beans: These plump, mild beans soak up all that luscious sauce and give the dish its heartiness.
- Vegetable broth: A splash adds savory depth and helps the sauce come together.
- Heavy cream or coconut cream: This is what makes everything so luxuriously creamy—choose coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Lemon zest and juice: The zest wakes everything up with bright citrus, while the juice provides tangy balance.
- Dried thyme: Lends an earthy, aromatic layer that sings with lemon and garlic.
- Salt: Just enough to enhance all those other flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and depth.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional): A handful takes the sauce into ultra-savory territory—skip for dairy-free.
- Fresh parsley: A sprinkle at the end brings freshness and color that makes the dish pop.
How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the minced garlic—your kitchen will smell incredible within seconds. Gently stir for 1 to 2 minutes, just until fragrant. The key is not to let the garlic brown; you want it soft and aromatic, setting the stage for the whole dish.
Step 2: Add the Butter Beans
Toss in your drained and rinsed butter beans, giving them a little time in the pan to soak up that garlicky goodness. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, so each bean gets a little love and flavor right from the start.
Step 3: Simmer with Broth
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This not only infuses the beans with savory notes but also starts creating the base for that creamy sauce you’re about to build.
Step 4: Stir in the Creamy Ingredients
Reduce your heat and add the cream (or coconut cream), lemon zest, lemon juice, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together—watch as the sauce quickly transforms into a glossy, velvety dream. Allow the beans to simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beans beautifully.
Step 5: Finish and Garnish
If you like things extra savory, stir in the grated Parmesan at the very end. Remove your pan from the heat, shower with chopped fresh parsley, and serve the Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans warm—preferably with something crusty to mop up every last drop!
How to Serve Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans
Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference! A handful of fresh parsley brightens up the plate, while a little extra lemon zest or a grating of Parmesan adds eye-catching color and even more flavor. Don’t be shy—pile on the herbs and let people help themselves to more cheese if they like.
Side Dishes
Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans are delicious all on their own, but they absolutely shine alongside rustic bread, toasted sourdough, or herby rice pilaf. As a vegetarian main, pair them with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies. If you’re serving meat, they love to sidle up to grilled chicken or pan-seared fish.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these beans in shallow bowls for a deeply comforting main course, or spoon them onto crostini for a hearty appetizer at your next party. They’re also gorgeous in small ramekins as a side for a special dinner. For brunch, top a slice of toast with a big scoop of Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans and a soft-boiled egg—pure magic!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to three days, and the flavors deepen beautifully overnight, making lunch the next day an absolute treat.
Freezing
If you want to double the batch or save some for later, these beans freeze surprisingly well! Just cool them completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay delicious for up to two months. For best texture, try to leave out the fresh parsley until you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
Gently reheat your Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. If using a microwave, do so in short bursts and stir often for even heating. A quick restir at the end brings the sauce back to life—just as luscious as day one!
FAQs
Are canned butter beans as good as fresh?
Canned butter beans are a fantastic time-saver and work perfectly in this recipe, giving you creamy texture and mild flavor. If you have time to cook beans from scratch, go for it—the dish will be even a bit silkier. But honestly, you can’t go wrong either way!
Can I make Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans vegan?
Absolutely! Just use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and skip the Parmesan cheese. The beans stay ultra-rich and creamy, with bright lemon and garlicky depth.
Which type Main Course, Side Dish
Heavy cream tastes extra luxurious and classic, but full-fat coconut cream is a stellar dairy-free substitute that adds a subtle tropical note. Both create a luscious sauce, so use whichever suits your diet or craving!
What if I don’t have dried thyme?
No thyme? No problem! Try dried oregano or Italian seasoning for a similar herbaceous background. Fresh thyme also works—just double the amount for max flavor.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely. Spinach, kale, or roasted cherry tomatoes can all be stirred in with the cream for color and extra nutrition. Just make sure any veggies are cooked and well-drained before adding them.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans truly deliver a ton of comfort and sparkle with just a few simple steps. I hope you’ll give them a try and make them a regular star in your kitchen—they’re one of those joyful recipes that always earns happy sighs and clean plates!
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Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines tender butter beans with a rich and tangy sauce infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs. This vegetarian recipe is easy to make and perfect for a comforting main course or a satisfying side dish.
Ingredients
Olive Oil:
2 tablespoons
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the Olive Oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook Butter Beans: Stir in butter beans and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Cream and Seasonings: Reduce heat and stir in cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese, if using, then remove from heat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Serve as a vegetarian main or side dish.
- Pair with crusty bread or roasted chicken/fish.
- For dairy-free version, use coconut cream and omit Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
