Herb Butter Bean Mash
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.
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.