This recipe for Saucy Harissa Butter Beans is characterized by its tenderness and slow cooking in a rich, smoky, slightly spicy tomato sauce. This is the perfect dish for busy weekdays when you crave a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. All you need are a few basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen: large white beans, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, a tablespoon of harissa paste, and a little vegetable broth. To make it, simply sauté the garlic in olive oil, then add the spices and harissa, stirring until fragrant. Add the beans and broth, and simmer until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. Garnish with some fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon, and your dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes. It’s an easy-to-prepare, completely vegetarian dish, and packed with plant-based protein.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. It takes less than 20 minutes and uses just one pan.
- Simple pantry staples
- Good for meal prep. The leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Packed with nutrition. It is loaded with plant-based protein.
- Budget-friendly. Canned beans make this an very cheap dinner choice.
Ingredients
Yield: 3 Servings
- Canned butter beans – quantity: 2 cans (15 ounces each), drained and rinsed
- Olive Oil – quantity: 2 tablespoons, extra virgin preferred
- Garlic Cloves – quantity: 4 cloves, cut into thin slices
- Harissa Paste – quantity: 2 tablespoons, depending on your preferred heat level
- Tomato Paste – quantity: 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable Broth – quantity: 1/2 cup, low-sodium
- Fresh Lemon – quantity: 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Sea salt and Black pepper – quantity: 1/2 teaspoon each, to taste
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley – quantity: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped for a bright finish
Suggestions & Alternatives
- Healthy – You can easily throw in a few large handfuls of fresh baby spinach or chopped Tuscan kale during the last two minutes of cooking. The greens will wilt right into the hot sauce, adding a fantastic dose of vitamins and color without altering the bold, smoky flavor profile of the dish.
- Other potential alternatives – If you want to tone down the heat and introduce a velvety richness, replace the vegetable broth with an equal amount of full-fat canned coconut milk. This modification creates an ultra-creamy, luxurious sauce that balances the sharp kick of the harissa paste beautifully.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the garlic. Grab a large, heavy skillet, pour in your olive oil, and turn the heat to medium. Drop in your sliced garlic. You want to cook this for just about a minute, stirring it around constantly so the pieces do not burn or turn bitter. As soon as you smell that amazing garlic aroma and notice the edges turning a faint, pale golden color, you are ready to move forward.
Step 2: Toast the flavor bases. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the harissa paste and tomato paste directly into the oil with the garlic. Use a wooden spoon to mash them into the oil and let them fry for about two minutes. Cooking the pastes in dry heat like this is a crucial step because it toasts the ground spices and caramelizes the tomato paste, removing that raw metallic taste and unlocking an incredible amount of savory depth.
Tip: If your brand of harissa paste is on the drier side and looks like it might stick to the pan too quickly, just splash in a teaspoon of water or a tiny bit of extra olive oil to keep the mixture smooth and moving.
Step 3: Combine the beans and liquid. Pour your drained and rinsed butter beans straight into the skillet, then follow immediately with the vegetable broth. Shake in your sea salt and black pepper. Give everything a gentle, thorough stir so that the thick, red paste completely wraps around every single bean without breaking them apart.
Step 4: Simmer to a rich thickness. Bring the skillet up to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce. Here is a great cook’s trick: take the back of your spoon and mash a small handful of the beans against the side or bottom of the pan. The starches from those broken beans will mix into the broth, creating an incredibly thick, rich gravy consistency without needing to add flour or cornstarch.
Step 5: Finish and serve. Take the skillet off the heat completely. Squeeze the juice of your half lemon right over the beans and give it one final stir. This burst of acidity cuts through the heavy richness of the sauce and makes all the flavors pop. Scatter your freshly chopped parsley across the top, and your dish is ready for the table.
Serving Ideas and Best Times to Enjoy This Dish
When enjoying these beans, a suitable bowl is essential for dipping every last drop of this wonderful sauce. A thick slice of crispy toast, such as sourdough or ciabatta bread brushed with a raw garlic clove, is ideal. You can also spoon the warm mixture over a bed of soft basmati rice, couscous, or quinoa for a more substantial and filling meal. For a delightful contrast in texture and flavor, a crumb of tangy feta cheese or a generous dollop of plain yogurt will balance the harissa’s heat.
This dish is a total lifesaver during chilly autumn and winter evenings when you want something satisfying but do not have the energy for a massive kitchen cleanup. Because it relies almost entirely on long-lasting pantry items, it is also the perfect fallback meal for busy weeknights or those random days right before a grocery trip when the fridge look empty. It packs up beautifully too, meaning any leftovers will taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld in the fridge.
I would love to know how this recipe turned out in your kitchen! Did you add extra greens, or did you stick to the classic version? Let me know your thoughts and your favorite sides to pair with it in the comments.
Easy 20-Minute Saucy Harissa Butter Beans
Here you will find the ingredients and easy steps to prepare these creamy beans in less than 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Canned butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil, extra virgin preferred
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, cut into thin slices
- 2 tablespoons Harissa paste
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Vegetable broth, low-sodium
- 1/2 lemon Fresh lemon, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant and pale gold.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the harissa and tomato paste, stirring them into the oil. Fry for about 2 minutes. If the mixture is too dry and sticking, add a splash of water or extra olive oil.
- Add the drained and rinsed butter beans, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to coat the beans evenly.
- Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes until the liquid reduces. Mash a few beans against the side of the pan to help thicken the sauce.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the juice of half a lemon and top with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 224Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 689mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 7gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g
Just a heads up — The calorie count and nutritional info here are just estimates! The actual numbers might vary a bit depending on the brands and ingredients you use.