Easy Butter Bean Stew
This hearty, Mediterranean-inspired butter bean stew is packed with flavor and takes just 30 minutes to make.
With vibrant cherry tomatoes, savory garlic, and creamy butter beans, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner.
Best of all, it’s a one-pot wonder, making clean-up a breeze!
Whether served with crusty bread or mashed potatoes, this simple dish is sure to become a family favorite.
For Easy Butter Bean Stew
- Butter Beans – I use a jar of butter beans with their stock for extra flavor. You can rinse them and use vegetable stock if preferred.
- Cherry Tomatoes – These provide a burst of sweetness and a fresh Mediterranean taste.
- Red Onion – For a savory base, adding depth to the stew.
- Garlic – A must for that rich, aromatic flavor.
- Spinach – For a bit of greenery and a boost of nutrition.
- Hard Cheese – Grated cheese adds a creamy texture and richness. Optional for a vegan version.
- Fresh Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano – These Mediterranean herbs bring amazing fragrance and flavor.
- Vegetable Oil – For sautéing the onion and garlic, creating a great base for the stew.
- Salt and Pepper – For seasoning and balancing the flavors.
For Serving
- Crusty Bread – To soak up all that delicious stew!
Easy Butter Bean Stew
A quick and flavorful one-pot butter bean stew, packed with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, ready in under 30 minutes.
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Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 250g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 1 jar (570g) butter beans, with stock
(Alternatively, rinse the beans and use 300ml vegetable stock) - 1 red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 20g hard cheese, grated
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. - Cook the Tomatoes:
Add halved cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to the pan. Stir everything together, cover the pan, and let it cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and break down. - Simmer the Beans:
Remove the lid and add the butter beans along with their stock. If you prefer, rinse the beans and substitute with 300ml vegetable stock. Stir, then let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. - Add Spinach and Cheese:
Stir in the chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt. Remove from heat, then sprinkle in the grated cheese, stirring until it melts into the stew. - Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the stew and serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious flavors!
- Serve with crusty garlic bread, or alongside vegetables like tenderstem broccoli or roasted sweetcorn. Alternatively, pair with mashed or baked potatoes.
- Canned diced tomatoes work as a substitute if fresh tomatoes aren’t available.
- For a vegan version, simply omit the hard cheese.
- Crumbled feta on top adds a lovely flavor, though it's optional.
- Can I use canned butter beans instead of dried?
Absolutely! Canned butter beans are perfect for this recipe. They’re already cooked and ready to go, saving you a lot of time. Just pour them straight into the stew along with their stock for extra flavor. - What if I don’t have fresh rosemary or thyme?
No worries! You can easily swap in dried herbs instead. Use about one-third of the amount you would with fresh herbs. Dried herbs still pack plenty of flavor and work beautifully in this stew. - Can I add other vegetables to the stew?
Definitely! This recipe is super flexible. You can add in veggies like carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers. Just chop them up and add them when you’re cooking the onions and garlic. - How can I make the stew spicier?
Want some heat? Just throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes or add a chopped fresh chili along with the tomatoes. It’s a great way to boost the flavor and give the stew a nice kick! - Can I make this stew ahead of time?
Yes, you can! This stew actually gets even better as it sits, with all the flavors melding together. Just store it in the fridge for up to a couple of days and reheat when you’re ready to serve. It also freezes well, so feel free to make a big batch!
