Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups speckled butter beans (fresh or dried)
- 4 cups water (or vegetable broth for extra flavor)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter for extra richness)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- ½ cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: 1 cup diced tomatoes or 1 small chili for extra flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans
- If using dried beans, soak them overnight in a large bowl filled with water. This helps soften them and reduces cooking time.
- If using fresh beans, rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the Beans and Broth
- Drain and rinse the soaked beans if using dried ones. Add them to the pot along with the water or vegetable broth.
- Toss in the bay leaf, smoked paprika, black pepper, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the Beans
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the beans simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour (for dried beans) or 20-30 minutes (for fresh beans).
- Stir occasionally and check the water level. Add more broth or water if necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.
- Adjust Seasoning and Add Optional Ingredients
- Once the beans are tender and creamy, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- If you like a richer flavor, stir in diced tomatoes or a small chili for some extra heat. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve warm with cornbread, rice, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- For extra depth, you can add a smoked turkey leg or vegetable chunks while cooking.
- These beans taste even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour (for dried beans) or 20-30 minutes (for fresh beans)
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Simmering, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg (varies depending on broth and added salt)
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg