Curried Butter Beans (Vegan)

Quick and easy, these delicious curried butter beans can be whipped up in 20 minutes using canned beans. Sweet from the onions, full of umami from the tomato sauce, and aromatics from the curry spices, this is a truly satisfying bite.

Keep this recipe handy, as everyone needs a recipe they can whip up in 20 minutes, with minimal ingredients and chopping, without compromising the flavor or nutrition.

The creamy texture of the butter beans pairs perfectly with the aromatic blend of curry spices. The simplicity of this recipe makes it a go-to option for busy weeknights or gatherings. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a satisfying and tasty meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds and the recipe. Our guests loved every time we made it.

This butter beans recipe can be enjoyed as a main course with rice, flat bead, or on top of a slice of bread. It can be refrigerated for up to five days, as well as frozen for up to three months.

Why you’ll love it

• Quick to make – This comes together in 20 minutes. perfect for a weeknight meal, also impressive low effort for when hosting
• Low cost – These curried butter beans consist of three essential affordable ingredients – canned butter beans, red onion, and canned tomato sauce, which are elevated with a few spices you probably already have in the cupboard.
• Full of flavor – This dish includes layers of bold flavors including the sweetness from the caramelized onions, umami from the tomato sauce, and the different aromatics from the spices mix, including earthiness from tumeric and smokiness from the smoked paprika.
• Can be made ahead – Make a bigger batch that will last you throughout the week. The flavors deepen with time as the aromatics from the soup become more infused.
• Plant-based protein – This is a completely vegan butter beans recipe that packs 15 grams of protein per portion.

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Ingredients for curried beans

• Butter beans – We use canned butter beans. Dried butter beans also work but will need to be soaked for 12 – 24 hours and the cooked. We are huge fans of butter beans and often cook with them – if you need inspiration for more recipes featuring butter beans, see our Vegan Aubergine Schnitzel and Easy Vegan orzo pasta (with cherry tomatoes and butter beans).
• Red onion – Fresh red onion will provide a sweet base to the dish.
• Tomato sauce – Whole tomato (Pelati in Italian) or chunky marinara sauce are excellent choices, as they provide some of the sauce and some meaty bits of tomatoes. We like Italian tomato sauces such as Mutti.
• Olive oil – A good quality extra virgin olive oil will add antioxidants and complex flavor to your dish, as long as it’s not heated to more than 200 Celsius (400 Fahrenheit).
• Seasoning: Salt, turmeric, gram masala, curry powder, and smoked paprika – This mix provides the perfect balance of sweet, earthy, aromatic, and spicy. Adjust any spices to your liking.

Recipe alterations

• Change the legume – We’ve made this recipe with chickpeas and lentils, and it turned out delicious.
• Add more protein – Smoked tofu to keep it vegan, or grilled halloumi for a vegetarian version.
• Choose your carb of preference – These curried butter beans are as delicious with rice as they are with a flatbread and even on top of a toasted slice of bread.
• Omit a spice – While we love the flavor of the spice mix in the recipe, you can still make these curried beans without one of the listed spices. Try to substitute with something similar, e.g., change gram masala for cumin or coriander seeds, or add chili powder or cayenne pepper in place of spice for more complexity.
• Make it spicy – Add chili powder to the sauce, and use crispy chili oil on top to add more heat.
• Make it creamy – Add coconut milk to make it more creamy.

Instructions

Heat the pan medium-high, and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Slice the onions and add them to the pan. Add the salt on top of the sliced onions; this will help with the water extraction and allow the onions to cook faster.

Sautee the onions for 7 – 10 minutes. We want to soften and slightly caramelize the onions, not charr them.

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When softened, add a teaspoon of olive oil on top of the onions and add all the spices on top. Cook the spices for one minute until the turmeric has reduced its flavor. This will bring out a more intense flavor and aroma of the spices. Frying them for too long might result in a bitter flavor.

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If you are using a sauce with whole tomatoes in them, break them apart to larger chunks.

Add the tomato sauce and drained butter beans and simmer until the tomato sauce has thickened to your preference.

Your curried beans are now ready! Enjoy them with rice, flat bread, or a slice of bread.

Curried beans will taste even better in the next few days, as the spices will be more infused in the sauce. They can be refrigerated for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.

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mORE BUTTER BEANS RECIPES

• 15 minutes butter beans in tomato sauce with burrata
• Creamy leek and butter beans pasta
• Easy vegan orzo pasta

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Curried butter beans (vegan)

Author: Darja

Quick and easy, these delicious curried butter beans can be whipped up in 20 minutes using canned beans. Sweet from the onions, full of umami from the tomato sauce, and aromatics from the curry spices, this is a truly satisfying bite.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Mains

Cuisine plant-based, vegan, vegetarian

Servings 2 people

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• 1 Frying pan
• 1 Chopping board
• 1 Knife
• 1 Sauce spoon

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
• 2 whole red onions finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon gram masala
• 240 grams butter beans 1 small can, drained
• 400 grams tomato sauce 1 small can

Instructions

 

Fry the onions

• Heat the pan on medium-high, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Slice the onions and add them to the pan. Add the salt on top of the sliced onions, this will help with the water extraction and thereby help the onions to cook faster.
• Sautee the onions for 7 – 10 minutes. We want to soften and slightly caramelize the onions, not charr them.

Add tomato sauce

• If you are using a sauce with whole tomatoes in them, break them apart to larger chunks.
• Add the tomato sauce and drained butter beans and simmer until the tomato sauce has thickened to your preference.
• Your curried beans are now ready! Enjoy them with rice, flat bread, or a slice of bread.

Notes

Storage information: 

• Curried beans will taste even better in the next few days, as the spices will be more infused in the sauce. They can be refrigerated for up to five days, or frozen for up to three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 3501mgPotassium: 1519mgFiber: 16gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1723IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 8mg

Keyword 20 minute dinner recipe, butter beans, Butter beans vegan recipe, Curried butter beans, high protein vegan meal, Quick curry recipe, Vegan butter beans