Zesty Curried Butter Beans Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Treat

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity and bold flavors, and this curried butter beans recipe delivers both with remarkable ease.

Simmering spices dance through tender legumes, creating a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.

You’ll love how quickly these creamy beans come together in one pot.

The aromatic curry blend infuses each bite with warmth and depth.

Hearty and nutritious, these butter beans offer a protein-packed meal that satisfies without complexity.

Fragrant spices meld seamlessly with the soft, buttery texture of the beans.

This recipe promises a delicious adventure that will become a staple in your cooking rotation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 286 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Curried Butter Beans

• Shallots: Delicate, sweet base that provides a subtle onion-like depth to the curry's foundation.
• Garlic: Robust flavor powerhouse that adds intense aromatic warmth to the dish.
• Ginger: Zesty root that brings a bright, spicy undertone and aids digestion.
• Coconut Oil: Silky cooking medium that infuses tropical richness and supports even sautéing.

• Tomato Puree: Dense, concentrated sauce that adds tangy sweetness and vibrant color.
• Curry Powder: Complex spice blend delivering warm, earthy notes with a hint of exotic complexity.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances all other flavor profiles.
• Chili Flakes: Fiery sprinkle that introduces a sharp, warming heat to the final dish.
• Lime: Citrusy burst that brightens and freshens the entire curry's taste.

• Butter Beans: Creamy, protein-packed legumes that create a hearty, satisfying texture.
• Coconut Milk: Luscious, silky liquid that transforms the curry into a rich, smooth sauce.
• Spinach: Tender green that adds vibrant color, nutrients, and a slight mineral freshness.

What You’ll Need to Cook Curried Butter Beans

• Large pan: Essential for sautéing aromatics and cooking the entire dish.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping shallots, garlic, ginger, and spinach.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise, fine chopping of ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding accurate amounts of curry powder and salt.
• Lime squeezer (optional): Makes extracting lime juice easier.

How to Make Curried Butter Beans

Flavor Explosion Butter Beans

• Aromatic Foundation

Create a delicious base with finely chopped shallots sizzling in coconut oil. Introduce minced garlic and ginger, letting them dance and release their magical fragrance in the pan.

• Spice Awakening

Splash in tomato puree and awaken the senses with warm curry powder. Let the spices mingle and coat the softened aromatics with deep, rich flavors.

• Bean Magic

Tumble butter beans into the pan, inviting them to swim in the spicy sauce. Allow each bean to absorb the incredible curry essence, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Creamy Transformation

Pour silky coconut milk into the mixture, creating a luscious sauce. Let everything simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to become wonderfully thick and inviting.

• Fresh Final Touch

Fold tender spinach into the warm curry, watching it gently wilt. Squeeze fresh lime juice for a bright spark and sprinkle chili flakes for a playful heat kick.

• Delicious Destination

Serve this vibrant dish over fluffy rice or atop crispy sourdough, ready to transport taste buds on an incredible culinary journey.

Tips & Swaps for Curried Butter Beans

• Rinse canned butter beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve their soft, creamy consistency. Pat them dry before adding to the curry for better sauce absorption.
• Adjust curry powder intensity by using mild, medium, or hot varieties. Add extra chili flakes or fresh chopped chilies for more heat, or reduce spices for a milder version.
• Transform this vegetarian dish by adding grilled chicken, pan-seared tofu, or crispy tempeh for extra protein. Shredded rotisserie chicken works wonderfully as a quick protein option.
• Prepare the curry in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen and become more complex overnight, making it perfect for meal prep.
• Replace butter beans with chickpeas, cannellini, or navy beans if unavailable. Experiment with different leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach for varied nutrition and flavor.

Serving Curried Butter Beans Made

• Hearty Grain Companion: Serve over fluffy basmati or brown rice to soak up the creamy, spiced sauce and add satisfying texture to your meal.
• Weekend Brunch Delight: Top crispy sourdough toast with these curried beans, then garnish with a soft-poached egg for a luxurious weekend breakfast experience.
• Protein-Packed Salad Topper: Spoon the warm curried beans over a fresh mixed green salad with cucumber and cherry tomatoes for a nutritious, filling lunch option.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Arrange the beans alongside hummus, olives, and warm pita bread to create a vibrant, shareable spread perfect for casual gatherings.

Curried Butter Beans: Smart Storage Guide

• Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store cooled curried butter beans in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the curry into freezer-safe containers, keeping portions separate to simplify future meal planning. These beans freeze beautifully for 3 months without losing texture or taste.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or coconut milk to restore original creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning and maintain smooth texture.
• Meal Prep Genius: Prepare a double batch during weekend cooking sessions, creating quick lunches or dinner shortcuts throughout the week. The curry tastes even more delicious after flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator.

Velvety Curried Butter Beans

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty curried butter beans showcase rich Indian-inspired flavors with creamy legumes simmered in aromatic spices. Comforting and nourishing, this dish delivers warm satisfaction with minimal preparation and maximum enjoyment.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 400 g (14.1 oz) butter beans, tinned (including liquid from tin)
• 250 ml (8.45 fl oz) coconut milk (thick, creamy kind from tin)
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 70 g (2.5 oz) spinach, chopped
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, finely chopped
• Juice of ½ lime
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium flame, sautéing finely chopped shallots until translucent and soft, then introduce minced garlic and ginger, stirring until golden and fragrant.
2. Spice Infusion: Add tomato puree with a splash of water, creating a vibrant sauce, and generously sprinkle curry powder, thoroughly integrating the spices with the aromatic base.
3. Bean Integration: Fold butter beans and their liquid into the spiced mixture, ensuring complete coating and flavor absorption, then stream coconut milk to create a luscious, creamy consistency.
4. Simmering and Enrichment: Gently simmer the curry, allowing beans to warm and sauce to condense, then fold in fresh spinach, watching it wilt and meld seamlessly with the creamy texture.
5. Final Flourish: Elevate the dish by squeezing fresh lime juice and sprinkling chili flakes, balancing the rich, warm flavors with bright, zesty notes, and serve alongside steamed rice or toasted sourdough for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Prep Timing: Chop ingredients before heating pan to ensure smooth, uninterrupted cooking process.
• Spice Intensity: Adjust curry powder quantity based on personal heat preference, tasting and modifying gradually.
• Bean Liquid Gold: Reserve bean liquid for adding extra depth and richness to the sauce if needed during cooking.
• Wilting Spinach Technique: Add spinach at the last moment to preserve vibrant color and prevent overcooking, maintaining fresh texture and nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 286
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 12 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg