This is the perfect butter beans stew recipe! I learned it from my mother and I’ve been cooking it ever since!
This butter beans stew recipe goes straight to the first place on my favorite recipes list! It is absolutely perfect! I like butter beans a lot and I have tried different recipes with them, but this one has the ideal combination of flavors and textures.
I learned this butter beans stew recipe from my mother. Cooking beans the right way really makes the difference! You’ll get extra-soft and buttery beans and an awesome thick sauce for the stew. Also, fresh tarragon is amazing! I always add it to my beans recipes. You can use pickled tarragon as well. It’s even better! Dry tarragon is not that flavorful, but if you really can’t get any fresh one, use dry and double or even triple the quantities.
Enjoy! 🙂
The Perfect Butter Beans Stew

This is the perfect butter beans stew recipe ever! I learned it from my mother and I've been cooking it ever since!
Ingredients
- 500g (2 ½ cups) dry Lima Beans, Butter Beans *soaked overnight, optional
- 2 onions, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 Tbsp sweet paprika
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- ⅓ tsp ground pepper
- sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the beans for 2 hours (half this time if previously soaked). Change the water at least 2 times. Don't skip this step! Beans are hard to digest and if you didn't soak them overnight they will release bad enzymes into the boiling water, which will cause bloating.
- Heat the oil in a large pot.
- Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the drained beans.
- Add water just enough to cover the beans.
- Add bay leaves, pepper, salt, fresh tarragon, chopped garlic and paprika.
- Cook for half an hour.
- Serve and enjoy this flavorful dish!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Amount Per Serving Calories 99Total Fat 2.5gCarbohydrates 14.6gProtein 4.3g
Caryle Katz
Friday 2nd of August 2019
I plan to prepare this without oil, with a water or veggie broth sauté for a fat-free version. I imagine it will still be a very tasty dish. Caryle
Ruxandra Micu
Monday 7th of October 2019
It should be tasty oil-free as well. ;)
Anne
Tuesday 17th of July 2018
Hello, Ruxandra, I have just made this recipe for dinner tonight and my family loved it! I must say that the tarragon really made a difference. Such a good idea!
Ruxandra Micu
Monday 22nd of October 2018
Thank you! Glad you liked the recipe! :)
Sabah
Monday 20th of February 2017
I've had a few cans of butter beans sitting in my kitchen cupboard for a while and this recipe has given me an idea. Thank you for sharing.
Sabah || www.womanishaffairs.org
Ruxandra
Thursday 23rd of February 2017
You're welcome!
Valerie
Friday 3rd of February 2017
Love lima beans, but have never used herbs in the preparation. I'm going to try these tomorrow. I usually use the soaking water to water my plants ... they love it.
Ruxandra
Tuesday 14th of February 2017
Great gardening tip! I usually throw it away, but now I'll save it for my herbs. :D
michael
Monday 3rd of March 2014
Oh wow, I love butter beans! They look delicious, I believe I could eat them everyday!
I recently posted my recipe for butter beans, check it out
Michael michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/southern-butter-beans