Dinner

Curried Butter Beans Recipe

ByMaya Quinn March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

Introduction

Curried Butter Beans is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines creamy butter beans with fragrant spices and coconut milk. This easy recipe delivers a hearty, nutritious meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

A close-up of a single toasted round bread slice with a dark brown crust as the base layer, topped with a thick, creamy yellow curry sauce mixed with whole white beans spread evenly across the toast. The dish is garnished with small pieces of bright green chopped herbs scattered on top, along with a sprinkle of black pepper. It sits on a white plate with speckled black dots, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped
400g tinned butter beans (keep the water from the tin)
70g spinach, chopped
250ml coconut milk
2 tablespoons tomato puree
1 tablespoon curry powder

For Topping:

½ lime, squeezed
1 teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallots and sauté until softened. Then add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Stir in the tomato puree and a splash of water from the butter beans tin to loosen it. Add the curry powder and butter beans along with their water. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
Step 3: Pour in the coconut milk and season with salt. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for a few minutes until the beans are heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Add the chopped spinach, squeeze in the lime juice, and sprinkle the chili flakes on top. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 5: Serve the curried butter beans hot with steamed rice or crusty sourdough bread for a satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

Try adding diced tomatoes or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of chili flakes or add fresh chopped chili.
Use fresh spinach or kale depending on what you have available; kale will add more bite.
Swap coconut oil for olive oil if preferred, though coconut oil enhances the tropical flavors.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if the curry thickens too much during storage.

How to Serve

A bowl with three main layers is shown: on the left side, a layer of fluffy white rice sprinkled with black seeds and green herb leaves; on the right, a thick, creamy orange curry with visible beans and chopped greens, topped with fresh green herb leaves and black seeds; at the top left edge, a piece of golden brown naan bread rests partly on the rice and curry; a dollop of smooth white yogurt sits on the curry near the center bottom; the bowl is placed on a wooden board with a spoon beside it on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried butter beans instead of tinned?

Yes, but you will need to soak and cook the dried beans until tender before using them in this recipe. Using tinned beans saves time and adds convenience.