Name: Vegan Butter Bean Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons vegan butter; 1 large shallot peeled & finely diced; 4 cloves garlic minced; ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes marinated in oil & chopped; 1 Tablespoon tomato paste; ¼ teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon chili flakes; 15 ounces canned butter beans with liquid; 2 Tablespoons coconut cream; 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast; ½ Tablespoon lemon juice; 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil; salt & pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 7 reviews

If you’re craving a cozy, flavorful dish that’s both comforting and packed with plant-based goodness, you’ve got to try this Vegan Butter Bean Recipe. It’s one of those meals I turn to when I want something simple but seriously satisfying – creamy, savory, with just the right touch of herbs and heat. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll keep coming back for more, whether as a quick lunch or a laid-back dinner.

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Why This Recipe Works

Creamy Comfort: The addition of coconut cream and the bean’s own liquid makes the texture irresistibly smooth and luscious.
Flavor Punch: Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs blend beautifully for a savory depth that’s anything but boring.
Easy to Whip Up: With a handful of pantry ingredients and under 30 minutes, it’s super accessible for any weeknight cook.
Versatility: This Vegan Butter Bean Recipe adapts perfectly with swaps and additions to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge.

Vegan Butter Bean, vegan butter bean dish, plant-based butter beans, creamy vegan beans, savory vegan bean recipe - The image shows a white pan filled with a rich, orange-brown stew with large white beans and pieces of green leafy herbs spread throughout. There are bits of red tomato and finely chopped onions mixed in, adding texture and color. A woman's left hand is holding a small piece of toasted bread inside the pan, while her right hand uses a spoon to scoop some beans and stew onto the bread. The background surface is a wooden texture with a green cloth partially visible in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a special part in building layers of flavor and that unbeatable creamy texture. Plus, these are staples you might already have, or can easily stock up on for future recipes.

Vegan Butter Bean, vegan butter bean dish, plant-based butter beans, creamy vegan beans, savory vegan bean recipe - Flat lay of vegan butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a large shallot unpeeled beside finely diced shallot pieces on a white ceramic plate, four whole cloves of garlic with some minced garlic in a small white bowl, a small white bowl filled with chopped sun-dried tomatoes glistening with oil, a small white bowl with smooth red tomato paste, dried oregano, dried thyme, and chili flakes each in their own small white ceramic bowls, whole fresh butter beans scattered next to a small white bowl containing creamy coconut cream, a small white bowl with golden nutritional yeast flakes, a lemon cut in half showing bright yellow flesh alongside fresh green basil sprigs on a simple white ceramic plate, arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegan butter: Adds richness and helps mellow the garlic and shallots—it’s the base for our sauce’s silky smooth feel.
Shallot: Sweeter and milder than onions, it brings a subtle hint of sophistication without overpowering the dish.
Garlic: A must for that punch of aroma and flavor, freshly minced is best.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Provide a punch of umami and tangy sweetness, elevating the whole dish.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavors and enriches the sauce’s color and depth.
Dried oregano & thyme: Classic herbs that pair perfectly with butter beans and tomatoes for that ‘just-right’ herbal note.
Chili flakes: A gentle kick of heat that wakes up your taste buds without stealing the show.
Butter beans: Creamy, tender, and filling—the star ingredient delivering protein and body to the recipe.
Coconut cream: Boosts creaminess with a subtle sweetness and helps keep things vegan-friendly.
Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy, savory flavor while packing in B-vitamins—total superstar in vegan cooking!
Lemon juice: Brightens and balances all those rich, creamy elements perfectly.
Fresh basil: A fresh, herbal finish that lifts and rounds out the whole dish.
Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning just right — don’t skip or underestimate them!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Vegan Butter Bean Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your cravings or pantry contents. There’s room to make it your own and still end up with that creamy, comforting vibe.

Variation: I sometimes swap coconut cream for cashew cream when I want an even richer sauce, or leave it out for a lighter version. Both ways work great!
Additions: Throwing in some fresh spinach or kale towards the end is a delicious way to sneak in greens.
Spice it up: Feel free to increase chili flakes if you like that extra heat punch—just a little can go a long way.
Texture tweak: For more body, I mash a few butter beans against the pot before stirring for a thicker, heartier texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Butter Bean Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Flavor Base

Start by finely dicing the shallots, chopping the sun-dried tomatoes, and mincing your garlic—if you have a garlic press, grab it; it makes this part quick and fuss-free. Then, melt your vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat until it’s fragrant and just bubbling – this is going to infuse the whole dish with buttery richness.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Herbs

Add your shallots and garlic to that melted butter, stirring them around to get a bit translucent and super fragrant—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes, so keep an eye on the stove and stir often to avoid burning. Then toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, and chili flakes. Cook everything together for another minute so those flavors really mingle.

Step 3: Add Butter Beans and Creaminess

Pour in the canned butter beans along with all that luscious can liquid – don’t strain it! It’s pure magic for creaminess. Then stir in the coconut cream, nutritional yeast, and a splash of lemon juice. Give everything a good mix and bring it to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Simmer and Season

Let your mixture simmer for about 5 minutes so it thickens with all those beautiful flavors melding together. Once the sauce is luscious and slightly reduced, stir in fresh chopped basil and generously season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning – this step makes all the difference!

Step 5: Serve It Up

Serve your Vegan Butter Bean Recipe warm alongside a thick slice of toasted bread for that classic, comforting combo. Seriously, scoop up every last bit!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Strain the Beans: Keeping the liquid from the can creates that luxurious creaminess you want in this dish.
Use Fresh Basil Last: Add it right at the end to preserve its bright, fresh aroma and color.
Go Low and Slow with Garlic: Sauté it gently with shallots to avoid burning and maintain that mellow garlic flavor.
Season Gradually: Season towards the end so you can get the perfect balance of salt and pepper.

How to Serve Vegan Butter Bean Recipe

Vegan Butter Bean, vegan butter bean dish, plant-based butter beans, creamy vegan beans, savory vegan bean recipe - The image shows two pieces of toasted bread placed side by side on a white speckled plate. On top of each piece of bread is a layer of large, light yellow beans mixed with chopped sun-dried tomatoes, small bits of onion, and garnished with fresh green basil leaves. The beans have a soft texture and are slightly glossy, suggesting they are cooked with some oil or sauce. The basil leaves add a fresh, green contrast to the warm colors of the beans and tomatoes. The plate sits on a wooden table, and a wooden dish with more fresh basil leaves is partially visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of adding a little extra fresh basil for a fragrant touch, and sometimes a small drizzle of good-quality extra-virgin olive oil just before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a dash of smoked paprika adds texture and a flavor twist that’s delightful.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with toasted crusty bread for dipping or a crisp green salad to balance the creaminess. I also like serving it alongside roasted seasonal veggies or even a simple grain like quinoa or couscous for a fuller meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at a dinner party, I like plating the vegan butter beans in shallow bowls and garnishing generously with fresh herbs and a wedge of lemon. You could also serve it over warm polenta or on toasted flatbread for a lovely open-faced meal that feels special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to cool the beans completely before sealing to keep everything fresh and tasty.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this Vegan Butter Bean Recipe a few times, and it holds up wonderfully. Freeze in portion-sized containers or freezer bags for up to a month, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

When reheating, gently warm the beans in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might want to add a splash of water or plant milk if it’s too thick. This keeps that creamy texture intact and the flavors fresh.

FAQs

Can I use dried butter beans instead of canned?

Absolutely! Just remember to soak and cook the dried butter beans ahead of time until they’re tender. Since canned beans include liquid, you might want to add some vegetable broth or water to achieve the same creamy consistency.
Is nutritional yeast essential in this Vegan Butter Bean Recipe?

It adds a lovely cheesy depth that really elevates the flavor. If you don’t have any, you can skip it or substitute with a dash of miso paste or vegan cheese for a similar effect.
What can I substitute for vegan butter?

You can use olive oil or any neutral vegetable oil. Just keep in mind vegan butter adds a bit more richness and softness to the flavor, so olive oil may result in a slightly different, but still delicious, profile.
How spicy is the recipe?

The chili flakes add a mild heat that gently warms the dish without overpowering it. You can adjust the amount up or down based on your spice preference.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Butter Bean Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen because it’s the kind of comfort food that feels like a warm hug after a busy day. It’s simple to make, yet bursting with flavor and texture – perfect for anyone wanting an easy plant-based meal that still tastes indulgent. I hope you give it a try and find it as nourishing and delicious as I do!