French Onion Butter Beans Recipe
A rich and comforting dish featuring slow-caramelized onions cooked with butter beans in a creamy, savory sauce infused with garlic, rosemary, and balsamic vinegar. Perfect as a hearty side or a satisfying vegetarian main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 570 g butter beans, jarred and drained
- 250 ml vegetable or mushroom stock
- 150 ml heavy cream or crème fraîche
- 1 tsp rosemary, dried or fresh and diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan over low heat. Add the diced onion and cook slowly for at least 30 minutes, ideally 45 minutes or more, stirring frequently to caramelize the onions to a golden brown, jammy texture without burning.
- Add Garlic: Once the onions are golden, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Flour and Rosemary: Stir in the plain flour and diced rosemary, cooking with the onions for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Deglaze with Balsamic Vinegar: Pour in the balsamic vinegar and stir well, using your spoon to loosen any caramelized bits stuck to the pan bottom.
- Simmer with Beans and Stock: Add the drained butter beans and vegetable or mushroom stock. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a medium caramel-brown color. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finish with Cream: Pour in the heavy cream or crème fraîche, stir, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions is best done slowly over low heat to develop deep flavor without burning.
- You can make the caramelized onions ahead of time and store them refrigerated for up to 3 days to speed up the cooking process.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use a vegan cream alternative.
- Rosemary can be fresh or dried—adjust the quantity slightly if using fresh for a milder taste.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to ensure balanced flavors.
Find it online: https://bitezly.com/french-onion-butter-beans-recipe/
