Description
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans recipe combines tender butter beans with a rich, tangy lemon garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh spinach for a nutritious and flavorful dish. Perfect as a comforting side or light main, it’s quick to prepare and uses simple plant-based ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 small shallots, diced (or 1 large shallot)
- 4-5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Dairy-Free Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons vegan butter
- ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
Beans and Citrus
- 30 ounces canned butter beans (2 cans, with the liquid added to the pot – do not strain)
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ Tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste (recommend at least ½ teaspoon pepper)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Finely dice the shallots and mince the garlic cloves to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté Shallots and Garlic: Melt the vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add the diced shallots and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add Beans: Pour in the canned butter beans along with their liquid directly into the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Stir in the vegan cream cheese, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let the mixture simmer gently for an additional 2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Add Spinach: Turn off the heat and add the fresh spinach to the pot. Stir until the spinach wilts and is well incorporated into the creamy bean mixture.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve warm, ideally alongside toasted bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Do not strain the canned butter beans; the liquid adds to the creaminess and flavor of the dish.
- Use vegan cream cheese and butter to keep the recipe dairy-free and suitable for a vegan diet.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest to your taste for more or less tanginess.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for dipping or can be served over rice or grains for a heartier meal.
- Spinach can be substituted with other leafy greens such as kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
