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Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans Recipe

Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Beans Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 14 reviews

This creamy lemon garlic butter beans recipe is a comforting, vegan dish that’s rich in flavor and texture. Using canned butter beans cooked with their liquid for added creaminess, combined with vegan butter, cream cheese, fresh lemon juice, zest, and spinach, it makes a perfect warm side or a light main served with toasted bread. The bright lemon and garlic notes complement the creamy beans beautifully, creating a wholesome and satisfying plant-based meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 small shallots, diced (or 1 large shallot)
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 30 ounces canned butter beans (2 cans with liquid included)
  • 1/4 cup vegan cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (at least 1/2 teaspoon pepper recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Aromatics: Finely dice the shallots and mince the garlic cloves. Using a garlic press is recommended for an even finer texture and more intense flavor release.
  2. Melt Vegan Butter: Warm a large pot over medium heat and add the vegan butter. Allow it to melt completely and start sizzling to develop flavor.
  3. Sauté Shallots and Garlic: Add the diced shallots and minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir frequently and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add Butter Beans and Simmer: Pour in the two cans of butter beans along with their liquid (do not strain). Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer. Let cook for about 5 minutes to reduce some liquid and allow the beans to soften further and meld with the flavors.
  5. Incorporate Cream Cheese and Lemon: Stir in the vegan cream cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well mixed. Return to a gentle simmer and cook for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
  6. Add Spinach and Season: Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts from the residual heat. Season generously with salt and pepper according to your taste.
  7. Serve: Enjoy the creamy lemon garlic butter beans warm, ideally served with toasted bread to soak up the luscious sauce.

Notes

  • Using the liquid from the canned butter beans is crucial for the creamy texture—do not strain it.
  • You can substitute fresh lemon zest with dried lemon peel if fresh is not available, but zest will provide the best flavor.
  • Add more spinach or other greens if you want to boost the nutrition and volume.
  • This dish pairs well with crusty bread or over cooked grains like rice or quinoa for a more filling meal.
  • Adjust seasoning last to taste, especially salt, as canned beans can contain variable salt levels.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan butter beans, creamy lemon garlic beans, plant-based side dish, vegan dinner, healthy vegan recipe, quick vegan meal

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-butter-beans-recipe/