Go Back

Easy Marry Me Butter Beans Recipe - Protein-Packed Comfort Food

These creamy, tomato-simmered butter beans are so delicious, they’ve earned their romantic nickname. Bursting with Mediterranean flavor, this simple yet elegant plant-based dish transforms humble beans into a meal worth falling in love with.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 9 hours
Servings: 4 –6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dried butter beans or lima beans
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

  1. Rinse butter beans and soak in 6 cups of water for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  2. Drain and rinse, then add beans to a pot with 6 cups fresh water. Simmer gently for 45 minutes until tender. Drain, reserving ½ cup liquid.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes.
  4. Stir in smoked paprika and chili powder, cooking 30 seconds to bloom spices.
  5. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
  6. Add cooked beans and reserved liquid. Simmer 15 minutes to blend flavors.
  7. Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.

Notes

For faster prep, substitute 3 cans (15 oz each) of drained butter beans and skip soaking. Add during the final simmer step. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.