Butter Bean Stew Recipe

This butter bean stew is hearty and flavorful, with tender beans, aromatic spices, and a smooth, comforting broth. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free!

A Note From Kristen

This is one of my favorite recipes to date (it’s SO good!), especially for cold days or busy weeknights when I want something filling without much effort. As the butter beans simmer, they absorb the spices and broth, creating a flavorful, well-balanced stew that’s feels nourishing. It’s a recipe that makes eating well feel easy! Enjoy!

~Kristen

A bowl of butter bean stew with chickpeas, tomatoes, and herbs, garnished with chopped parsley, sits on a wooden table with a spoon in the bowl.

Ingredient Notes

Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Forms the base of the stew, allowing the vegetables and spices to bloom in flavor.
Yellow Onion: Releases a natural sweetness to balance the acidity of the fresh tomatoes once sautéed.
Minced Garlic: Add warmth and depth to round out the stew’s flavor profile.
Red Bell Pepper: Contributes color and a touch of sweetness to the dish.
Carrots: Lends body and helps balance the savory spices and acidity of the tomatoes.
Smoked Paprika: Adds a gentle smokiness, giving the butter bean stew a cozy, earthy aroma.
Ground Cumin: Imparts a toasty, slightly nutty flavor.
Ground Coriander: Adds a citrusy brightness to balance the deeper spices, such as cumin and paprika.
Dried Oregano: Gives a savory, herbal quality to round out the seasoning blend.
Turmeric: Lends the dish a golden tint with mild earthiness.
Cinnamon: Brings warmth and depth, balancing the smoky and savory notes.
Red Pepper Flakes or Aleppo Pepper: Optional. They can add a gentle heat and liveliness to the stew.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Black Pepper: Adds heat and aroma.
Butter Beans: Act as the heart and base of the stew, contributing creaminess, texture, and protein.
Vegetable Broth: Serves as the flavorful sauce that brings all the ingredients together.
Crushed Tomatoes: Add body, a lovely red hue, and acidity.
Bay Leaves: Enhance the broth with gentle, woody notes.
Fresh Spinach: Brings color and freshness to the stew mixture.
Fresh Parsley, Basil, or Cilantro: For garnish; adds a bright touch to the dish.

A wooden spoon scoops hearty butter bean stew, brimming with white beans, tomatoes, and greens, from a pot.

How to Make Butter Bean Stew

01

SAUTÉ

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

Chopped red bell peppers and onions being sautéed in a pan with a blue spatula—the perfect base for a hearty butter bean stew.

02

ADD

Add the carrots, paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, turmeric, cinnamon, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Chopped carrots, onions, and red bell peppers are sautéed in a pan to form the flavorful base of a hearty butter bean stew, with dry seasoning stirred in using a blue spatula.

03

MIX

Stir in the butter beans, broth, tomatoes, and bay leaves until well combined.

04

SIMMER

Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Stir in the spinach during the last 5 minutes.

Close-up of a bowl of tomato-based butter bean stew with beans, topped with freshly chopped spinach.

05

SERVE

Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!

A wooden spoon lifts a portion of butter bean stew, rich with tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables, from a pot.

Serving Ideas

Serve with a slice of crusty bread, like sourdough or focaccia.
Spoon over a bowl of brown rice, couscous, or quinoa.
Pair with cilantro salad, grapefruit salad, or beet and feta salad.
Top with pine nuts, hemp seeds, or feta cheese (or vegan feta crumbles!).

A bowl of butter bean stew with tomatoes, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, with a spoon resting inside.

Kristen’s Top Tips

Don’t skip sautéing the aromatics and spices, as this helps build the stew’s base flavor.
Avoid boiling the stew too hard on the stove, as even a gentle boil can break down the large white beans and make them mushy.
Delicious variations you can try include swapping the broth with coconut milk and adding some ginger and lime juice, adding some cubed sweet potato or butternut squash, or using cannellini beans in place of butter beans.

A close-up of a bowl of tomato-based vegetable and butter bean stew with white beans, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, and a spoon resting in the bowl.

—
Previously Published on moonandspoonandyum

***

Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.

All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here.

—

Photo credit: Kristen Wood

—

FAQs – About The Good Men Project

What is The Good Men Project?

The Good Men Project is a mission-driven media platform founded in 2010 that explores modern masculinity, men’s mental health, relationships, fatherhood, identity, and social change through personal stories, expert insights, and cultural analysis.

What makes GMP different from other men’s lifestyle sites?

GMP is not a trend-driven content mill. It is a cultural platform built on depth, nuance, and long-term conversations about masculinity, identity, and human connection.

Does GMP help writers build long-term platforms?

Yes. Many contributors have used GMP as a foundation to build writing careers, coaching practices, book launches, podcasts, and thought leadership platforms. Email [email protected] for more information.

Get Daily Email

Become a Premium Member