Butter Bean Soup- Hearty and Creamy

Creamy butter beans are a true comfort food and are absolutely delicious in this healthy plant-based soup. 

What's better than a hearty bowl of comforting soup in the fall and winter?

But first let's find out- What are butter beans?

They are a flat white dry beans that are sold in packages in the dry bean isle in supermarkets and are called lima beans. They are also sold in cans already soft and cooked and are called butter beans (which are actually lima beans). 

I never liked green lima beans, but I love them when they are dried, turn white and starchy, and then cooked. They become buttery, creamy, and delicious. 

The green lima/butter beans are the ones I don't like  care for.

There may be other people who feel like I do about the green lima beans, so thus the name change? Not sure. You won't be disappointed with butter beans!! Try them.

Frugal Meal 

With prices skyrocketing, especially for food, beans are a good choice and make a healthy, high protein, frugal meal that is both filling and satisfying on a cold night. 

High Protein, Fiber, and Nutrient Dense Meal

In addition to protein, this soup contains a significant amount of valuable vitamins and minerals, protective antioxidants, and fiber, making it a healthy lifestyle and heart healthy choice. 

In my current reading, I notice many doctors are encouraging us to consider adding more plant-based meals to our diets while reducing or eliminating animal foods. (always check with your doctor before making changes to your diet).

This delicious soup is plant-based gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, oil-free, and parve.

Instant Pot - 30 minutes pressure cook time with a 10 minute manual release. 

I use the 6qt Instant Pot- Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker ( link to Amazon to view )

 It is easy to make, delicious and comforting, and can be cooked in the quickly in the Instant Pot after soaking the beans overnight (see notes at bottom of page for how to soak). Although most beans can normally be cooked in the Instant Pot without soaking, limas taste better when they are pre-soaked. Of course you can use cooked canned butter beans and cut the Instant Pot pressure cooking time to 8 minutes cook time with a 5 minute release

 

Stove Top: - Cook Time: 60 minutes

 If you prefer to make this soup on the stove top, you have the same two choices: pre-soak the beans or use canned butter beans for a quicker cooking soup. ** you will need to add additional broth or water as the soup cooks down.

I like having a pot of soup cooking on the stove on a cold snowy day.

My Notes: 

1. To Soak Beans- 

Place dry beans in a large bowl. Cover with water and soak overnight. Make sure beans are under the water because the beans will swell. 

Ingredients: 

Instant Pot- 30 minutes  and 10 minute release

2 cups of chopped onions  

4 cloves of garlic, peeled, chopped or pressed

2 carrots, diced very small

2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

1 jar of organic chunky salsa 

2 cups of dry lima beans, soaked overnight

4 cups of vegetable broth, divided 

3 cups of water

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of salt (or more to taste)

Cracked pepper

optional: red pepper flakes 

Directions: 

Add 1/4 cup of vegetable broth to the Instant Pot insert liner pot. Turn on the sauté function. Add the onions and saute for about 4 minutes, stirring to prevent burning. 

Add the garlic and salsa and sauté an additional 3 minutes, minutes,stirring (adding drops of water or vegetable broth if needed). Add the carrots, pre-soaked lima beans, remainder of vegetable broth and water. 

Turn off the saute function. Secure the lid and set to pressure cook for 30 minutes. When done cooking, allow to sit for 10 minutes and then manually release according to the manufacturers instructions. When all steam is released, remove lid. I like to blend partially with an immersion blender. Sprinkle za'atar in each bowl if desired.

Stove Top: - Cook Time: 60 minutes

Saute the onions, garlic, and salsa in the same order as the Instant Pot instructions. Add everything else and cook on medium heat covered until beans are soft. 

How do you feel about Lima beans? Do you like them? 

Other Instant Pot Delicious Fall Soups

Easy Brown Lentil Soup  

8 Minute Mushroom Broth 

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Acorn squash and Apple Soup

Creamy Parsnip Soup

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