New Orleans Style Cajun Butter Beans
Don’t let the name fool you: butter beans are anything but buttery. So get ready for dinner time: here’s how to make Cajun Butter Beans!
1 cup dried butter beans, rinsed and picked over
- Rinse the beans, then place them in a large saucepan. Cover with water and soak for at least 8 hours.
- Drain the beans and discard the soaking water, then place them back into the saucepan along with 2 quarts of fresh water (or enough to cover the beans by at least 2 inches) and 1 Tbsp salt; bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook until tender but not mushy, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (depending on type). Remove from heat; drain well before using in other recipes
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Next, add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, until they soften. Add the jalapenos and cook for another 2 minutes before adding them to your beans.
1 medium onion, chopped
- Chop the onion, then let your kids chop the onion. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they want to help you cook. If they say no, that’s fine! They’ll probably help later on if you ask again (or maybe they won’t).
- Letting your kids know that cooking can be fun and rewarding is a great way to get them interested in cooking as well.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Garlic is a staple in most Cajun dishes and it turns up in this one as well. You can use fresh garlic or dried, but it’s important to note that the amount of cloves will vary depending on whether you use dried or fresh. If you are using dried garlic, you need about 2 tablespoons minced.
If you are using fresh garlic, 1 clove will do the trick! Raw or cooked (it doesn’t matter), it’s full of antioxidants and has been shown to reduce risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and inflammation. Garlic is also rich in vitamin B6, manganese and selenium which are all beneficial for your health – especially when paired with butter beans!
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
Jalapeno peppers are a type of chili pepper that can be found in many cuisines around the world. They are usually picked when green, but they turn red as they ripen. In addition to being delicious and spicy, jalapenos contain vitamin C and capsaicin (the compound that gives chiles their heat). Capsaicin is also known to have health benefits including reducing inflammation and pain in arthritis patients. For this recipe we recommend using gloves when handling your peppers so you don’t accidentally get any on your hands while preparing them!
2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can butter beans (no salt added, drained)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press
1 ham hock
Ham hocks are usually cut from the lower part of the pig’s front leg. They’re often used in soups and stews, because they add flavor to beans. To make Cajun Butter Beans, you’ll need to simmer ham hocks in water for a few hours until they’re tender. Then, remove them from the pot and cut off as much fat as possible before returning them to the liquid along with butter beans (and other ingredients).
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning salt or Creole seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning salt or Creole seasoning salt (such as Tony Chachere’s)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For this recipe, you will use 1/8 teaspoon of pepper (equivalent to 1/64 teaspoon).
- A pinch is a way of adding flavor and texture to food. Pinches are usually between 1/8 and 1/4 teaspoon.
- A dash is the smallest amount of liquid or powder. It is equal to about 1/16 teaspoon or less.
- The smallest volume that can be measured accurately by cooking tools such as measuring spoons, cups, or scales is called a drop.
This Cajun Butter Beans recipe is easy to prepare.
Cajun Butter Beans
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does. It is a great side dish to add to your holiday meal or just any time you want something delicious and easy! They’re actually more closely related to lima beans and they have a slightly nutty taste. They’re also super easy to cook, which is why I’m sharing this recipe with you today.
