Name: Easy Canned Butter Beans (Simply Sautéed)
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cans butter beans (one drained, one with liquid); 1 onion (finely chopped); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon salt (divided); ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ⅓ cup white wine; ⅓ cup water; ¼ cup lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 4 tablespoons olive oil; Freshly ground black pepper (to taste); Chopped fresh parsley (or basil, oregano, thyme for garnish)

Butter beans are one of the most underrated pantry staples. With their creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor, they make a fantastic side dish or even a simple, satisfying main meal. This easy butter beans recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, using everyday ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Whether you’re serving them with crusty bread or roasted vegetables, this dish is a must-try for busy weeknights.

Satay butter beans with chopped parsley in a frying pan

Jump to:

Easy Sautéed Butter Beans
Butter Beans vs. Lima Beans
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
Ingredient Notes
Where to Find Butter Beans in the Grocery Store
Instructions
How to Serve
Recipe

Easy Sautéed Butter Beans

This butter bean recipe is simple, easy, and can be whipped up with pantry staples—perfect for those nights when you come home and have no idea what to make. Unlike traditional Southern butter bean recipes with bacon or ham hocks, this version keeps things plant-based and packed with flavor.

Our household is trying to eat on the healthier side, and I love extracting as much flavor as possible from vegetables rather than relying on animal fat. Slowly sautéing onions in olive oil, adding a splash of white wine, and finishing with fresh herbs bring plenty of bold flavor while keeping butter beans the star of the show.

Butter Beans vs. Lima Beans

Butter beans and lima beans are actually the same thing! However, they are sometimes sold at different stages of maturity, leading to some confusion.

The younger, green-hued beans are often called baby limas and have a more tender texture.
The larger, creamy white beans are what most people refer to as butter beans and have a richer, starchier consistency.

Despite these differences, both varieties come from the same plant. The name you use may simply depend on where you live!

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

Want it even creamier? Use both cans with their liquid and simmer longer for a thicker sauce.
No white wine? Substitute with vegetable or chicken broth.
Add crunch! Sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese before serving.
Make it spicier. Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Meal Prep Friendly. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

The ingredients for sautéed butter beans laid out on the counter and separate holes.

Ingredient Notes

This recipe is built on a simple combination of aromatics, liquid, and seasonings, all of which can be adapted based on what you have on hand.

Canned Butter Beans: These mild, creamy beans are the base of the dish. Using one can with its liquid helps create a naturally thick, flavorful sauce, while draining the second can keeps the texture balanced. If you want an even silkier consistency, use both cans with their liquid—just keep in mind it may take a little longer to reduce.
Aromatics (Onion & Garlic): You need something to build a rich, savory base. I use onion (white, red, or sweet) and garlic, but you can experiment with shallots or even leeks.
Acid (White Wine & Lemon Juice): A splash of white wine and lemon juice adds brightness and balances the earthy richness of the beans. If you don’t have wine, use vegetable broth or chicken broth as an alternative.
Fresh Herbs: Parsley is my go-to garnish, but basil, oregano, or thyme all work beautifully and add a unique twist to the dish.

two bowls of butter beans, one with the can liquid and one drained.

Where to Find Butter Beans in the Grocery Store

You can find both dried and canned butter beans in the grocery store, but their location can vary. In most stores, you’ll find canned butter beans in the canned vegetable aisle, but some stores also stock them near preserved foods like tinned fish or pickles. Dried butter beans are often placed with rice, grains, and dried legumes like lentils and quinoa.

At my local Wegmans, most canned beans are in the canned vegetable section, but dried butter beans and navy beans are in a separate area. If you don’t see them where you expect, check different aisles—it’s worth the search!

For this recipe, look for the larger, creamy white butter beans rather than the smaller green baby lima beans. The cooking process is the same for both, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different.

Instructions

Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the 2 minced garlic cloves and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Sautéed chopped onions with red pepper flakes in a frying pan

Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon salt, then deglaze the pan by pouring in ⅓ cup white wine, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.

Butter, beans, liquid, and onions cooking in a frying pan

Add the 2 cans of butter beans (one drained and one with liquid), along with ⅓ cup water, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir well, bring to a gentle simmer, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the beans cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they develop a rich, creamy texture.

The finished sautéed butter beans, and a frying pan served chopped parsley on top

Before serving, season with freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or your choice of basil, oregano, or thyme.

How to Serve

Serve as a side dish with roasted chicken, salmon, or grilled vegetables.
Enjoy as a main dish with crusty sourdough bread or over rice.
Spoon over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Add to grain bowls with quinoa, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Pair with za’atar fries or rosemary-roasted carrots for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

A bowl of butter beans served with a slice of bread and Parmesan cheese on the side

If you’ve tried this Butter Beans recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.

Recipe