Marinated Butter Beans
Think creamy marinated butter beans are the ultimate dish for any occasion? You’re right! This flavorful recipe is perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or a simple dinner at home. The combination of tender butter beans with pickled red onions, olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts creates a delightful taste sensation. Plus, this dish is high in both protein and fiber, making it not only delicious but also nutritious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Prepare: With just 45 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this tasty dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy these marinated butter beans on their own, atop toasted sourdough, or as a colorful side dish.
- Packed with Flavor: The spicy olive and lemon marinade elevates the natural creaminess of the butter beans, creating an irresistible taste experience.
- Nutritious and Healthy: High in protein and fiber, this dish is perfect for those looking to maintain a balanced diet while enjoying great flavors.
- Ideal for Meal Prep: Make a big batch at once and store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days—perfect for busy weeks!
Tools and Preparation
Before you start cooking your marinated butter beans, gather your tools. Having everything ready will make your cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large serving bowl
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Cutting board
- Knife
Importance of Each Tool
- Large serving bowl: Essential for mixing all the ingredients together without making a mess.
- Saucepan: Perfect for heating up the marinade evenly.
- Whisk: Helps combine the marinade ingredients thoroughly for an even flavor distribution.
Ingredients
Think creamy butter beans, paired with pickled red onions, olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts, tossed in a spicy olive and lemon marinade. Like, what more could you want? Plus, this dish is high in both protein and fiber!
Ingredients:
– 1 can (about 14 oz or 400 g) butter beans, drained and rinsed
– 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup (about 20) green olives, roughly chopped
– 1 jarred roasted red pepper, roughly chopped
– 6-7 jarred artichoke hearts, halved
– 1/2 cup fresh dill, minced and loosely packed
– 1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced and loosely packed
– Zest from 1 lemon
– 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
– 1 clove garlic, finely minced
– 1 tsp red pepper flakes
– 1/4 tsp cumin
– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
How to Make Marinated Butter Beans
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Add the butter beans, sliced red onion, chopped olives, red pepper, artichoke hearts, dill, parsley, lemon zest, and kosher salt into a large serving bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Marinade
In a saucepan:
1. Add lemon juice, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
2. Heat on medium-high heat while whisking occasionally.
3. Once it starts to froth and bubble, remove it from heat.
Step 3: Mix It Up
Pour the marinade over the bowl with your ingredients. Toss everything together until well combined. Let the marinated beans sit for at least 10 minutes before serving—30 minutes is even better for enhanced flavor integration.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
You can enjoy your marinated butter beans on toasted sourdough or simply eat them on their own. For leftovers, store them in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to five days.
How to Serve Marinated Butter Beans
Marinated butter beans are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you want a light appetizer or a hearty meal, these beans can fit perfectly into your dining plans.
On Toasted Sourdough
- Toast slices of sourdough bread until golden brown for a crunchy base that holds the marinated butter beans beautifully.
As a Salad Topping
- Use marinated butter beans as a protein-packed topping on your favorite green salad. They add flavor and texture while boosting nutrition.
With Grilled Vegetables
- Pair these marinated beans with grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant for a colorful and nutritious side dish that complements their taste.
In a Grain Bowl
- Create a grain bowl by adding cooked quinoa or brown rice, topped with marinated butter beans and fresh veggies for a filling meal.
As a Dip
- Serve the marinated butter beans as a dip with pita chips or raw veggies for an easy and healthy snack option.
How to Perfect Marinated Butter Beans
To ensure your marinated butter beans turn out delicious every time, consider these simple tips.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and quality olive oil enhance the flavor significantly. Opt for fresh dill and parsley whenever possible.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the marinade before pouring it over the beans. Feel free to adjust salt, lemon juice, or spices to suit your preferences.
- Let Them Marinate: For the best flavor, let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (or longer) in the fridge before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to include other ingredients like cherry tomatoes or feta cheese for added flavor and texture variations.
Best Side Dishes for Marinated Butter Beans
Marinated butter beans pair wonderfully with various side dishes that elevate your meal. Here are some great options to consider.
- Grilled Asparagus: The smoky flavor of grilled asparagus complements the creamy beans beautifully, making for an elegant pairing.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness balances the savory notes of the marinated butter beans, creating a delightful contrast.
- Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad adds crunch and lightness to your meal while enhancing its Mediterranean flair.
- Quinoa Pilaf: Serve alongside fluffy quinoa pilaf infused with herbs and spices for a nutritious boost that complements the dish.
- Garlic Bread: Crunchy garlic bread provides an excellent vessel to scoop up marinated butter beans, adding extra flavor and texture.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw brings brightness and crunch, contrasting nicely with the creamy consistency of the marinated beans.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Roasted stuffed bell peppers filled with grains and vegetables make for an impressive side that pairs well with this dish.
- Mediterranean Couscous: Fluffy couscous mixed with olives, tomatoes, and herbs makes a tasty side that enhances the Mediterranean theme of your meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing marinated butter beans, it’s easy to make simple mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Skipping the rinse: Always rinse your butter beans thoroughly. This helps remove excess sodium and improves flavor.
- Over-marinating: While letting the beans sit is essential, don’t over-marinate! After 30 minutes, the flavors can become too intense.
- Ignoring seasoning: Taste your marinade before pouring it over the beans. Adjust the salt and spices as needed for balanced flavor.
- Using stale ingredients: Fresh herbs and produce make a big difference. Ensure your olives, artichokes, and herbs are fresh for the best taste.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store marinated butter beans in an airtight glass container.
- They can last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing Marinated Butter Beans
- You can freeze leftovers for long-term storage.
- Use freezer-safe containers or bags to prevent freezer burn.
- They will stay good for about 2-3 months in the freezer.
Reheating Marinated Butter Beans
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
- Stovetop: Heat on medium-low in a pan with a splash of water or olive oil until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re curious about marinated butter beans, you might have some questions. Here are answers to common inquiries.
Can I use dried butter beans instead?
Yes! If using dried beans, soak and cook them first before marinating.
How do I customize my marinated butter beans?
Feel free to add other vegetables or spices based on your preferences. Feta cheese makes a great addition!
What do I serve with marinated butter beans?
These beans pair well with toasted sourdough or as a side dish to grilled meats and veggies.
Are marinated butter beans healthy?
Absolutely! They are high in protein and fiber, making them a nutritious option for any meal.
Final Thoughts
Marinated butter beans are not only delicious but also versatile. You can easily customize this recipe by adding different ingredients based on what you have on hand. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy a delightful dish that’s packed with flavor!
Marinated Butter Beans
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing/Marinating
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
Marinated Butter Beans are a delightful dish that brings together the creamy richness of butter beans with a vibrant blend of pickled red onions, olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts. This aromatic recipe is not only perfect for any gathering but also ideal for meal prep or a comforting dinner at home. Bursting with flavors from a zesty olive and lemon marinade, these marinated beans are high in protein and fiber, making them both nutritious and satisfying. Whether served on toasted sourdough or as a colorful side dish, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and family alike.
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) butter beans
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/2 cup green olives
- 1 jarred roasted red pepper
- 6–7 jarred artichoke hearts
- Fresh dill and parsley
- Lemon juice and zest
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Honey or maple syrup
- Garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine drained butter beans, sliced red onion, chopped olives, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, minced dill and parsley, lemon zest, and kosher salt.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, and cayenne until frothy; then remove from heat.
- Pour the warm marinade over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat. Let sit for at least 10 minutes (30 minutes preferred) before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (120g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
