Butter Beans: Health Benefits + 4 Ways To Use Them

Given the hype, you’d probably never guess butter beans are just dressed-up lima beans (yes, it’s true). Here are the health benefits of this buzzy bean, and a few fun ways to cook with it.

Butter beans go by a few different names: butter beans, big limas, and dried large limas. Whatever you like to call them, here are five reasons to add them to your plate. 

Have a favorite curry sauce on hand? Add some butter beans for plant-based protein. You can scoop the savory mixture onto bread or mix in more roasted vegetables for added flavor.

Another creative avenue: Roasting your butter beans either in the oven or in a pan and piling them onto any salad or warm bowl. 

If you search up “butter beans recipes” online, you’re sure to find some kind of creamy garlic and tomato base to house your butter beans. Some variations add parmesan and others loads of basil. You can mix in other veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or brussel sprouts for additional fiber, too.

RELATED READ: 16 Easy Ways To Eat More Protein + How Much You Need Daily

"Simply season butter beans with herbs, garlic, and olive oil as a flavorful side dish," Davar suggests.

"Blend cooked butter beans with garlic, lemon, and herbs to create a creamy sauce for pasta or vegetables," Davar recommends.

Butter beans pack a nutrient punch, providing plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and more to your dish at an affordable price point. Plus, these beans are shelf-stable, so you can keep them in rotation for longer, adding them to side dishes, soups, salads, or crafting a new dish with them at the centerfold. Here's why one longevity expert recommends eating a full cup of beans every day for a longer life.