Go Back
–+ servings
butter beans stew lima

The Perfect Butter Beans Stew

A hearty, comforting vegan butter beans stew simmered slowly with onion, garlic, sweet paprika and fresh tarragon. This cherished family recipe delivers a rich, buttery texture and deep flavor, and it's perfect for Lenten and fasting menus.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Choose Serving Size 6 people

Ingredients 

  • 500 g lima beans soaked overnight
  • 2 onions diced
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • 4 tbsp fresh tarragon chopped
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ⅓ tsp ground pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Boil the beans for 2 hours (halve this time if you soaked them beforehand). Change the water at least twice. Don't skip this step! Beans are hard to digest, and if you didn't soak them overnight they release compounds into the boiling water that can cause bloating.
  • Heat the oil in a large pot.
  • Saute the onion for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the drained beans.
  • Add just enough water to cover the beans.
  • Add the bay leaves, pepper, salt, fresh tarragon, chopped garlic and paprika.
  • Cook for half an hour.
  • Serve and enjoy this flavorful dish!

Notes

Soak the beans overnight and change the boiling water at least twice - this improves digestibility and gives the buttery texture. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.