Butter Bean Stew Recipe Vegetarian: Easy & Delicious Meal

Butter bean stew is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for any season, especially when you want something warm and nourishing without meat. This vegetarian recipe combines creamy butter beans with an array of vibrant vegetables and fragrant spices to create a stew that’s both filling and flavorful.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, this butter bean stew will quickly become a favorite. It’s easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and packed with protein and fiber, making it a wholesome option for lunch or dinner.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through every step to make a rich and delicious butter bean stew infused with tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of smoky paprika. Plus, I’ll share tips for variations and how to serve it up for maximum enjoyment.

If you love recipes that combine simplicity with great taste, this stew is certainly worth trying!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This butter bean stew is a celebration of simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a dish full of depth and comfort. Here’s why it’s a must-make:

• Rich in nutrients: Butter beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber, supporting digestion and sustained energy.
• Vegetarian and vegan-friendly: This recipe contains no animal products, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
• Easy to customize: You can swap out veggies or spices based on what you have on hand or your taste preferences.
• Perfect for meal prep: It keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for leftovers.
• Comfort food with a healthy twist: Creamy, savory, and satisfying without the heaviness of meat or dairy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried butter beans (or 4 cups canned, drained and rinsed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp tomato paste

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Colander (if using canned butter beans)
• Optional: blender or immersion blender (for creamier stew)

Instructions

1. If using dried butter beans: Rinse the beans thoroughly and soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse again before cooking.
2. Cook the butter beans: Place soaked beans in a pot, cover with fresh water, and simmer for about 45-60 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside. (Skip this step if using canned beans.)
3. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper: Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables begin to soften.
5. Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, and bay leaf: Cook for 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
6. Add the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth: Stir well to combine, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pot.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer: Let it cook gently for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
8. Add the cooked (or canned) butter beans: Stir them into the stew and cook for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the beans to absorb the flavors.
9. Season with salt and pepper: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
10. Optional: For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the stew, then stir it back in.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

“For an added layer of flavor, try roasting the red bell pepper before adding it to the stew.”

• Use canned beans: To save time, canned butter beans work wonderfully. Just be sure to rinse and drain them well to reduce sodium.
• Add greens: Stir in chopped spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra nutrients.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes if you like a little heat.
• Make it smoky: Smoked paprika really makes this stew special; don’t skip it!
• Serve over grains: Try spooning the stew over quinoa, brown rice, or couscous for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This butter bean stew is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with many sides. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:

• Serve with crusty whole grain bread or garlic naan to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Top with a dollop of plain yogurt or vegan sour cream for creaminess.
• Sprinkle with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or chives for freshness.
• Pair it with a vibrant green salad or a tangy cucumber salad for contrast.
• Try serving it alongside other vegetarian dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Arugula or Harvest Hash Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Fall Comfort Food for a full meatless feast.

Conclusion

Making a butter bean stew is a fantastic way to enjoy a nutritious, comforting meal that’s simple to prepare and packed with flavor. This vegetarian recipe proves that hearty stews don’t need meat to be satisfying — the creamy butter beans provide protein and texture, while the medley of vegetables and spices creates a warming depth of flavor.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this stew will impress with its ease and taste.

It’s also a recipe that invites creativity. Feel free to experiment with different veggies, spices, or even add some grains to make it your own.

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out more delicious recipes like Instant Pot Rabbit Recipe for meat lovers or the fresh and zesty Halibut Dip Recipe to try something different. Happy cooking and savor every spoonful of this wholesome butter bean stew!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Butter Bean Stew Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty and flavorful vegetarian stew featuring tender butter beans and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups cooked butter beans (or canned, drained and rinsed)”, “1 tablespoon olive oil”, “1 medium onion, chopped”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 red bell pepper, diced”, “2 medium tomatoes, chopped”, “2 cups vegetable broth”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon ground cumin”, “1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)”, “Salt and black pepper to taste”, “2 cups chopped spinach or kale”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onion and garlic; saut\u00e9 until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tomatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili flakes; cook 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add butter beans and cook for 20 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt and pepper to taste.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “15 g”, “fatContent”: “6 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}