Description
Marry Me Butter Beans: Creamy beans cooked with smoky bacon, fragrant garlic, and earthy herbs, creating a comforting and delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (not minced)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics Begin by thinly slicing 6 garlic cloves—slicing rather than mincing creates beautiful, tender pieces that infuse flavor without overwhelming the dish. Zest your lemon, then cut it in half and squeeze to extract the juice (you’ll need about 2 tablespoons). Strip the rosemary leaves from their stems and roughly chop the parsley, setting aside some for garnish.
- Step 2: Create the Flavor Base In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, combine the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted completely, add the sliced garlic, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for the garlic to become fragrant and slightly golden—not brown. This slow infusion creates the aromatic foundation of your **Marry Me Butter Beans**.
- Step 3: Add the Beans Drain and rinse your butter beans thoroughly, then carefully add them to the skillet. Gently fold them into the infused oil, taking care not to break them. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, occasionally giving the skillet a gentle shake rather than stirring too much.
- Step 4: Finish the Dish Remove the skillet from heat once the beans are heated through and the liquid has reduced slightly. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley, gently folding them in. If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it over the beans now and give everything a final gentle stir. Let the **Marry Me Butter Beans** rest for 5 minutes—this allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to reach the perfect consistency.
- Step 5: Serve and Garnish Transfer your beans to a serving dish, spooning plenty of the silky sauce over the top. Finish with a drizzle of your best olive oil, the reserved fresh parsley, and an extra crack of black pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce. Watch as your guests fall in love with each creamy, flavor-packed bite of your **Marry Me Butter Beans**.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg