Nourish - How to Cook the Perfect – Butter Beans
Butter beans, as their name suggests have a rich creamy texture and taste which can be used in all manner of stews, curries, salads and pates. Cooked from scratch (or tinned) they are very satisfying as a main meal or side dish, packed with fibre and protein.
Ingredients
- Dried butter beans
- Water (enough to cover the beans well)
Method
1. Dried butter beans need to be soaked overnight in cold water.
2. Refresh the water after soaking and boil in a pan with a bay leaf and/or a strip of kombu which assists in the digestion of most dried beans.
3. Cooking time can vary according to the quality or age of the beans but generally take at least an hour simmering on a medium to low heat.
4. Test them towards the end of cooking and remove from the heat before they start to break up.

Butter beans, as their name might suggest, have a rich creamy texture and taste. They’re a great fit for all manner of concoctions such as stews, curries, salads and pates.
Cooked from scratch (or tinned) they are very satisfying as a main meal or side dish. That’s because they’re packed full of protein and fibre. Then we have the fact they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates.
Beans are a useful ingredient to have at hand when trying to keep the costs down. They are pretty cheap, packed with goodness and are super versatile. Lentils and pulses are also great. You can add them to:
- stews
- curries
- soups
- salads
- burgers
- side dishes to make a substantial filling meal
- Alternatively, make them into dips or spreads to jazz up your meals or liven up your leftovers.
Check out our recipe archive for some ideas. Here’s a couple to start with:
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