How to Cook Butter Beans in 3 Different Ways

Want to try a winning recipe that is super easy, very delicious, and healthy too? Searching for a quick fix for your child’s tiffin or supper-time cravings? Well, let me share this phenomenal snack I stumbled upon recently – butter beans. When you learn how to cook butter beans, you will be as delighted as I am now. And the best thing is – you can try different variations of this fun-filled snack and go wild with creativity.

What are we waiting for? Let’s dive straight in. There are many ways to cook butter beans. You can do it in an instant pot or a microwave. If you have neither, you can cook butter beans on your stove, in your pressure cooker, or in your pan. Kids love pan-fried stuff, so you can toss some butter beans and sprinkle your magic. And whip out this healthy and tasty dish that goes well as a side dish too.

How to Cook Butter Beans on a Stove?

Before we learn how to cook butter beans, here is something you must know. You can get three types of beans – fresh, frozen, or dried. You can use any of them. They taste pretty much the same. Some people prefer to cook dried beans on a stove using a slow cooker. So here are the steps that you can follow:

1. Put water in a pot – it could be a slow cooker or a pressure cooker.
2. Add garlic pods – mashed, paste, or powder.
3. If you want to add any meat of your choice, you can put it in the pot.
4. Season with salt and pepper as per your taste.
5. Bring the water to a boil and add the beans.
6. Throw in a dollop of butter (you can feel as generous as you want).
7. Let the water boil for two minutes, then simmer the flame.
8. If you use a slow cooker, the beans will take an hour or so to be tender. When you are in a hurry, try the pressure cooker.

Pro tips that chefs swear by –

1. Add a little bit of sugar, just for seasoning. Do not add much. You don’t want the beans to taste sweet.
2. You can use chicken stock instead of water.
3. Vegans can add their favorite plant-based protein, like soya nuggets or tofu, instead of meat.
4. Use fresh beans when you are in a hurry. Frozen beans take more time to cook.
5. If you are learning how to cook butter beans (for the first time) use a slow cooker. This way you can taste the butter beans and adjust the seasoning if required.

Since it is a time-taking process to cook on a stove in a slow cooker, you can prepare a little extra for later. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will remain fresh and ready for consumption for many days.

How to Cook Pan-Fried Butter Beans

Are you in a hurry and craving something delicious? Don’t compromise on the health aspect with unhealthy options. Try pan-friend butter beans – your friend to the rescue. All you need is a can of beans, well-drained and dried. Fresh beans will also do. Let’s learn how to cook butter beans on a stove using a pan. Note the things that you need:

• 1 can butter beans – drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons garlic – paste or mashed
• 2 sprigs rosemary herb, parsley, or thyme. Or all. Keep experimenting. Keep turning out new variations.
• Chili flakes
• salt and black pepper powder
• a dash of vinegar

All the above ingredients are usually available at home and at your neighboring store. Now, note the steps of how to cook butter beans on the pan:

1. Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium to low heat.
2. Add the beans and start to fry.
3. Keep cooking and stirring till the beans turn golden brown and crispy.
4. After about ten minutes of stirring, add the rosemary sprigs (or thyme).
5. Add more butter if you want to make it super yummy!
6. Add the garlic, salt and pepper, and chili flakes. You can skip adding the red pepper flakes if cooking for kids.
7. After the pungent smell of garlic disappears, you can discard it.
8. Add a dash of vinegar. If you’ve run out of vinegar, you may squeeze some lemon juice instead.

The pan-fried butter beans make for a great appetizer. To make it interesting for meat lovers, throw in some shredded chicken, pork chops, or bacon. If you are watching weight, you can replace some of the butter with olive or avocado oil. Put them in tacos, and you’ve got some nice Tex-Mex treat.

How to Cook Butter Beans in Microwave

In the fast-paced world where we are always in a hurry, a microwave oven comes as a blessing. You can use your microwave oven to cook butter beans as well. Here is how to cook butter beans in the microwave. For this, you will need a microwave-safe dish plus all the ingredients of your choice. That includes butter and beans, of course.

For every cup of beans, you must put one tablespoon of water. Cover the dish and press the microwave setting on high. Let it cook for around ten minutes. You can pause in between to check whether the beans have become tender or not.

If you are a meat lover, you can learn how to cook butter beans with some non-veg add-ons. Cook your favorite chicken or pork on a skillet while you wait for the beans in the microwave. If you prefer to cook meat in the microwave, you can put it along with the beans while it is in the oven. Do not forget to marinate the meat with salt before cooking it.

Once the beans become tender, you can drain the rest of the water. Add the butter, the herbs, the meat (if you are using it), and your choice of seasoning.

Nutritional Value of Butter Beans

A powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, butter beans are great for taste and health. They are a great addition to your daily consumption if you are looking for a diet food that also meets the micro and macronutrient requirements of the body. Learn how to cook butter beans with various combinations of:

• seasoning
• herbs
• other additions like vegetables and meat

This can further increase the nutritional value of this tasty food.

They contain soluble and insoluble fiber. This will keep you feeling full for long. Butter beans are also a good source of protein, fit for a vegan. Rich in folate (vitamin B9), it helps you feel energized. Besides these, butter beans are a good source of iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, complex carbohydrates, and anti-oxidants.

Final Thoughts

Butter beans are both delicious and nutritious. They are for everyone. For a weight-watcher – it is a superfood. Ask a mother – it is a wholesome snack or side dish, she will insist. For a bodybuilder – it is a rich source of vegan protein. For a child – it is a yummy thing that makes mummy proud. It is easy to cook. So, for the super busy – it is a healthy quick fix. Do you need further reasons to learn how to cook butter beans and include this in your diet from today?