Hamdi Saidani This Butter beans with a spicy zing recipe is a spicy and easy recipe, which is made with butter beans and za’atar. It’s an ideal side dish, ready in about 15 minutes.
Butter beans with a spicy zing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large chilli, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 x 400g/14oz can of butter/lima beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ tablespoons za’atar
- 150g/5½oz/1¼ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- a handful of flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped, plus extra to serve
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- salt and pepper
How To Make Butter beans with a spicy zing
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, then add the chilli and garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
- Add the beans and tomatoes: Add the drained butter beans, za’atar, and halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Season with a large pinch of salt and pepper and stir everything to combine.
- Finish with citrus and herbs: Stir in the chopped parsley leaves, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Continue to cook and stir for about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened but still have some texture.
- Serve: Season with a little more black pepper to taste, then serve warm, sprinkled with extra fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- How to adjust the spice level: For less heat, remove the seeds from the chilli before chopping. For more heat, add an extra chilli or a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
- Can I use other types of beans? Yes, this recipe works wonderfully with cannellini beans or chickpeas if you don’t have butter beans on hand.
- What if I don’t have za’atar? If you can’t find za’atar, you can substitute it with a mix of dried oregano, thyme, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- How to make it a main course: To turn this into a more substantial meal, stir in some crumbled feta cheese at the end or serve it over a bed of couscous or quinoa.
What To Serve With Spicy Butter Beans
This dish is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many main courses. Here are a few ideas:
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Warm, crusty bread for dipping
- Lamb chops
- A simple green salad
How To Store Spicy Butter Beans
Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can enjoy them cold or gently reheat them on the stovetop. Freeze: We do not recommend freezing this dish, as the texture of the tomatoes can become mushy upon thawing.
Spicy Butter Beans Nutrition Facts
(Approximate values for one serving)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 9g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Are lima beans and butter beans the same thing?
Yes, they are. Butter beans are simply mature lima beans, and the names are often used interchangeably, especially for the canned varieties.
Can I use fresh, dried beans instead of canned?
Absolutely. You will need to soak and cook the dried butter beans according to the package directions before using them in this recipe.
Why did my tomatoes get watery?
It’s normal for the tomatoes to release some liquid as they cook. Cooking for the recommended 10 minutes should allow some of that liquid to evaporate, creating a light sauce. Avoid covering the pan, as this will trap steam and make the dish more watery.
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Butter beans with a spicy zing Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy3
5
minutes15
minutes280
kcalCreamy butter beans are sautéed with a spicy chili kick, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic za’atar for a vibrant, quick, and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large chilli, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 x 400g can butter beans, drained and rinsed
1½ tbsp za’atar
150g cherry tomatoes, halved
Handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat; sauté chilli and garlic for 2 minutes.
- Add butter beans, za’atar, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and stir.
- Stir in parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Cook for 10 minutes until tomatoes soften but still hold their shape.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm, garnished with extra parsley.
Notes
- To control the heat, remove the seeds from the chilli for a milder dish.
- Cannellini beans or chickpeas can be used as a substitute for butter beans.
- If you don’t have za’atar, a mix of dried oregano, thyme, and sesame seeds works well.