A Hearty Affordable Butter Bean Stew

This butter bean stew (Crowded Kitchen) is an ideal recipe to master, as it’s warm and filling, packed with protein and calcium, heaped with fresh vegetables and cheap to eat! Tinned butter beans are on sale everywhere, and with vegetables form a complete meal.

Keep this recipe away from pets due to unsafe ingredients (garlic, onion, mushrooms). Read more on food safety for people and pets. 

Just bin alliums (onion family) scraps (along with citrus and rhubarbs) as acids could harm compost bin creatures. 

Ideal for cold autumn and winter nights, this is a filling meal on its own, or especially if served with good bread. Like all ‘bean stew’ recipes, you can just sub any canned beans leftover in the cupboard.

All you do for this recipe is fry onion and garlic in a pan, then add chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, peppers) along with herbs and spices, with tomato paste.

When the vegetables are cooked, just whisk in some flour to good veggie broth, then add this with the tinned drained beans to the post, and cook for around 30 minutes. Add your fresh spinach right at the end, with fresh parsley if wished. Salt to taste, and you’re done!

Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are a kitchen staple with their smooth texture and mild flavour. They’re great for adding to soups, stews, or salads. Rich in protein and fibre, they’re a good choice for those aiming to eat healthier.

Butter beans are versatile and can be mashed, baked, or thrown into a curry. Got a tin of these in your cupboard? Why not try making a creamy butter bean soup or add them to a veggie bake for something different? With their ability to soak up flavours, they’re a simple way to elevate any meal.