Sides
Creamy Butter Beans with Smoked Sausage
Butter beans simmer with smoked sausage and onion until velvety and rich, making a hearty, spoonable side that tastes like Sunday dinner.
Butter beans deserve better than an afterthought status on the plate, and this pot proves it. Simmered slowly with smoked sausage, they turn thick and creamy, almost like a stew you'd want to eat with a spoon and a slice of cornbread.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried butter beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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1
Brown the sausageIn a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat and brown the sausage slices until lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
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2
Sauté the aromaticsIn the same pot, sauté the onion until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
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3
Add beans and brothStir in the drained butter beans, chicken broth, bay leaf, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
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4
Simmer gentlyBring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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5
Return the sausageStir the browned sausage back into the pot and continue simmering for 15 more minutes until the beans are creamy and tender.
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6
Finish and serveDiscard the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.
Okra & Oak Tip
Mash a few beans against the pot with the back of a spoon toward the end of cooking to thicken the broth naturally without any flour or cornstarch.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat slowly with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, use four 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed, and reduce the simmering time to about 20 minutes total since they're already fully cooked.
A good andouille or smoked kielbasa both add wonderful flavor, but any well-seasoned smoked sausage will work nicely here.
Nutrition
Per serving. Values are estimates.
310
Calories
18g
Protein
32g
Carbs
13g
Fat
