The Most Tender “Marry Me Butter Beans” Recipe Ever Created

Creamy, hearty marry me butter beans capture hearts with unexpected culinary magic.

Southern kitchens whisper legends about this delightful dish that sparks instant connection.

Tender legumes swimming in rich, velvety sauce promise pure comfort and warmth.

Fragrant herbs and subtle spices dance across each delectable bite.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients create such memorable moments.

Weekend meals feel special when you bring this soulful recipe to the table.

One spoonful might just convince your dinner companion to say yes.

Tips for Marry Me Butter Beans Success

• Soak dried butter beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
• Use coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the rich, creamy texture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat preference – start with less and add more gradually.
• Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for different nutrient profiles and flavor variations.
• Toast rustic bread with garlic and olive oil for extra crunch and flavor absorption.

Flavorful Variations of Marry Me Butter Beans

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace spinach with chopped kale, add fresh rosemary, and swap parmesan for crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Beans: Incorporate diced green chiles, ground cumin, swap heavy cream for coconut milk, and top with fresh cilantro and crispy chorizo bits.
• Smoky Italian Bean Stew: Use fire-roasted tomato paste, add smoked paprika, include diced pancetta, and finish with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil drizzle.
• Protein Power Bowl: Mix in cooked shredded chicken, replace vegetable broth with chicken stock, sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top, and serve over quinoa for a hearty meal.

Pairings That Compliment Marry Me Butter Beans

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creamy richness of the butter beans, refreshing the palate with its bright, acidic notes.
• Complement with Rustic Bread Pairing: Serve alongside a crusty sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the luxurious sauce, adding textural contrast and extra flavor depth.
• Match with Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to balance the creamy beans and provide a zesty, peppery counterpoint.
• Enhance with Herbal Aperitif: Serve with a small glass of chilled Limoncello or herbal digestif to cleanse the palate and echo the dish's Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Best Way to Store Marry Me Butter Beans

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the beans separate from bread to maintain texture.

Transfer cooled beans to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months without the bread or fresh garnishes.

Warm beans in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Gently warm beans in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

FAQs

• Are butter beans the same as lima beans?

Butter beans and lima beans are actually the same legume, just harvested at different stages of maturity. Butter beans are larger, creamier, and softer when fully ripe.

• Can I use dried butter beans instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to soak dried beans overnight and cook them longer, typically around 45-60 minutes, before following the recipe steps.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

This recipe is vegetarian but not vegan due to the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. To make it vegan, you can substitute cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.

Why Marry Me Butter Beans Are Irresistible

• Quick and Simple Cooking: Prepare a gourmet-style dish with minimal steps and basic ingredients that come together faster than ordering takeout.
• Nutritious Comfort Meal: Packed with protein-rich butter beans, creamy texture, and nutrient-dense spinach, making it a wholesome option for health-conscious food lovers.
• Versatile Serving Style: Enjoy as a standalone skillet meal or serve over rustic bread, offering flexible dining options for different preferences and occasions.
• Flavor-Packed Experience: Combines bold ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and parmesan to create a restaurant-quality taste that elevates simple home cooking.

Ingredients Required for Marry Me Butter Beans

• Butter Beans: Large, creamy legumes that provide a hearty base for this comforting dish.
• Vegetable Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps create a rich, creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the luxurious, velvety texture of the final dish.

• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Provide a spicy and aromatic foundation to the recipe.
• Tomato Paste: Offers a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Bring a tangy, intense tomato essence to the dish.
• Dried Oregano: Adds a classic Mediterranean herb note.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a salty, nutty complexity to the overall flavor.

• Spinach: Adds a fresh, green element and nutritional boost to the dish.
• Basil Leaves: Provides a bright, herbal garnish.
• Lemon Zest: Offers a zesty, citrusy finish to balance the creamy beans.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a smooth, rich base.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for bringing out the full flavor of the ingredients.

How to Cook Marry Me Butter Beans Perfectly

Step 1: Awaken Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Drop in grated garlic and red pepper flakes, dancing them around for about 30 seconds until they release their magical fragrance.

Step 2: Build Depth of Flavor

Introduce tomato paste to the skillet, stirring and cooking for a minute until the sauce becomes wonderfully aromatic.

Step 3: Welcome the Beans

• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently saute the beans for 1 minute, coating them with the flavorful base.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour vegetable broth into the skillet. Let the beans simmer for 10 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their natural creaminess.

Step 5: Embrace Greenery and Richness

• Heavy cream
• Dried oregano
• Spinach

Simmer for a few minutes until spinach wilts and the sauce becomes luxuriously creamy.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

Remove skillet from heat.

• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Grated parmesan

Step 7: Prepare for Serving

Spoon the butter beans onto rustic garlic-rubbed bread or serve directly from the skillet.

Step 8: Elevate with Garnishes

• Extra parmesan
• Fresh basil leaves
• Lemon zest

Serve immediately and watch everyone fall in love.

Marry Me Butter Beans Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy marry me butter beans deliver a comforting southern culinary embrace that melts hearts with rich, smoky flavors. Soul-warming ingredients and simple preparation promise a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Beans:

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans (or 3 cups cooked beans)
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 handful basil leaves

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper to taste
• Lemon zest

Liquids and Additions:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or non-dairy cream)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then infuse with minced garlic and red pepper flakes, releasing aromatic flavors for approximately 30 seconds.
2. Incorporate tomato paste and cook briefly until the mixture becomes intensely fragrant, stirring continuously.
3. Gently fold in drained and rinsed butter beans, seasoning with salt and black pepper, and sauté for one minute to develop initial flavors.
4. Stream vegetable broth into the skillet, allowing beans to simmer for 10 minutes until they transform into a luxuriously creamy consistency.
5. Introduce heavy cream and dried oregano, then layer spinach across the surface, letting it gently wilt into the bubbling mixture for 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove skillet from heat and delicately fold in sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese, creating a rich and velvety texture.
7. Transfer the butter bean mixture onto rustic garlic-rubbed bread or serve directly from the skillet for a rustic presentation.
8. Elevate the dish with a final flourish of additional parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and bright lemon zest to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Customize Heat Level by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free and vegan-friendly alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Enhance protein content by adding crumbled plant-based sausage or shredded rotisserie chicken for non-vegetarian options.
• Maximize flavor depth by using fire-roasted tomato paste and letting beans simmer slightly longer to develop richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 282 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 516 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 14 mg