Herb Butter Bean Mash

🌱 Ingredients & Notes

Here is everything you need for this recipe:

For the Roasted Garlic & Herb Butter Bean Mash:

• Whole bulb garlic - Roasting transforms it into a sweet, mellow flavor base for the mash.
• Olive oil - Use a good quality oil for drizzling before roasting and for finishing the dish.
• Vegan butter - Creates a rich, buttery base for sautéing the herbs.
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, mint, parsley) - Use fresh rather than dried for the brightest flavor; finely chop for even distribution.
• Butter beans - Also known as lima beans; drain and rinse well before using to remove excess sodium.
• Lemon zest - Adds a bright, citrusy note that lifts the whole dish; use only the colored part of the peel.
• Vegan heavy cream - Creates the creamy texture; adjust amount to reach your preferred consistency.

For Garnish:

• Extra olive oil - A final drizzle adds richness and visual appeal.
• Additional fresh herbs - Sprinkle on top for color and a fresh flavor boost.

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed quantities and measurements.

🔪 Equipment

Here is all the equipment you need to make this recipe:

• Oven
• Aluminum foil - Essential for wrapping the garlic bulb during roasting.
• Saucepan - A medium-sized pan works best for mixing and mashing the butter beans.
• Potato masher - For creating the perfect texture in your butter bean mash.
• Cutting board and knife
• Measuring spoons and cups - For accurate measurements of ingredients.
• Lemon zester - A sharp microplane or zester makes quick work of the lemon peel.
• Mixing spoon
• Can opener
• Colander or sieve - For draining and rinsing the butter beans thoroughly.

🧑‍🍳 Instructions (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Roast the garlic

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top quarter inch off a whole garlic bulb, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, wrap in foil, and roast for 20-25 minutes until soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Prepare the herb mixture

Melt vegan butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the squeezed roasted garlic cloves, finely chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, mint, parsley, and lemon zest. Sauté for about a minute until aromatic.

Step 3: Add and cook the butter beans

Add drained and rinsed butter beans to the saucepan with herbs. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the beans to absorb the garlic and herb flavors.

Step 4: Mash the beans

Use a potato masher or fork to mash the butter beans in the pan. Gradually add vegan double cream while mashing until you reach a creamy consistency.

Step 5: Season and finish

Season the butter bean mash with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue mashing until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with a little olive oil, and garnish with fresh herbs.

🍽️ Serving

Serve this butter bean mash hot as a delicious side dish for your meal!

Spoon it into a serving bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil on top. Sprinkle with fresh herbs for color and extra flavor.

This creamy mash pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables, vegan peppercorn sauce, mushroom pie, or as part of a plant-based roast dinner!

For best results, serve immediately while warm and creamy.

❄️ Storage

Store leftover butter bean mash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The mash will thicken slightly when chilled, but will still maintain its creamy texture and herb flavors.

How to reheat

To reheat, place the mash in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add a splash of plant milk, vegan cream, or vegetable broth to loosen the consistency. Stir frequently until heated through (about 3-5 minutes).

You can also microwave portions in a microwave-safe dish covered with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.

Freezing tip

For longer storage, butter bean mash freezes well for up to 3 months. Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

🔜 Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this butter bean mash with fresh herbs and roasted garlic, you might want to try some of my other vegan side dishes too!

My Vegan Yorkshire Puddings makes the perfect crispy addition to any plant-based roast dinner, and for a hearty main, check out my recipe for Vegan Steak. Both recipes work wonderfully alongside this butter bean mash for a complete and satisfying meal!

Here's a handy recipe card that you can print out and keep in your kitchen for easy reference:

📖 Recipe Card

Herb Butter Bean Mash

Romy

This creamy Butter Bean Mash transforms humble butter beans into a flavorful side dish packed with fresh herbs and roasted garlic. The combination of rosemary, thyme, mint and parsley gives this mash a fragrant lift, while the roasted garlic adds wonderful depth and sweetness. Perfect alongside your favorite plant-based main dishes, this mash makes a delicious alternaive from traditional potato sides.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, British

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 bulb fresh garlic
• olive oil for roasting
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter (30g) unsalted
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
• 2 15-oz cans lima beans (butter beans) drained and rinsed
• zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup vegan heavy cream (about 100 ml)
• black pepper to taste

For Garnish:

• olive oil for drizzling
• Additional fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C/180°C fan). Cut the top quarter inch off a whole bulb of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap the garlic bulb in foil and place in the oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until the garlic is soft, fragrant and golden. Once done, let it cool slightly before squeezing out the roasted cloves.
• In a saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium-low heat. Add the squeezed roasted garlic cloves, finely chopped rosemary, thyme, mint, and parsley along with the lemon zest. Stir everything together and cook for about a minute until the herbs become aromatic and the butter is infused with their flavors.
• Add the drained and rinsed butter beans to the saucepan with the herb and garlic mixture. Stir gently to coat the beans in the flavored butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the beans to warm through and absorb the garlic and herb flavors.
• Use a potato masher or fork to begin mashing the butter beans in the pan. As you mash, gradually add the vegan double cream, starting with ½ cup (100 ml) and adding more as needed to achieve your desired creamy consistency. Keep mashing until most beans are broken down but maintain some texture for the best result.
• Season your butter bean mash with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue to stir and mash until everything is well combined and has reached your preferred texture. Remove from heat once you're happy with the consistency and flavor balance.
• Transfer the warm butter bean mash to a serving bowl. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil on top and garnish with a sprinkle of additional fresh herbs. Serve immediately alongside your favorite main dishes for a delicious, herb-infused side.

Notes

• Serving - This butter bean mash pairs perfectly with roast dinners or as a side for plant-based mains. Serve it hot in a warm bowl with a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top for maximum flavor and visual appeal.
• Make ahead - You can prepare this mash up to 2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop nicely as it sits, making it an excellent prep-ahead option for busy meals.
• Storage - Keep leftover butter bean mash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The mash will thicken slightly when cold but still maintains its wonderful herb flavors.
• Freezing - Portion the cooled mash into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating - Gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of plant milk, vegan cream or vegetable broth to restore the creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
• Texture tip - For a completely smooth mash, use an immersion blender or food processor instead of a potato masher. For a more rustic texture, leave some beans partially whole.
• Herb variations - Feel free to experiment with different herb combinations based on what you have on hand. Sage, chives, or tarragon work beautifully in this recipe as well.
• Flavor boost - For an extra layer of flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice along with the zest to brighten the dish even more.

Keyword Butter bean Mash, herb mash, Lima Bean Mash, lima beans, Roasted garlic

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