The Best Ways to Use Butter Beans

Updated: Jan. 14, 2022

Rich, creamy and full of flavor, butter beans are a hearty addition to soups, stews, pasta dishes and more.

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Quick Mexican Bean Soup

It never hurts to have a few meals that you can whip up in very little time, and this hearty soup is one of my busy-day favorites. Green chiles and chili powder give it some oomph. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
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Hearty Beans with Beef

My husband raved about this sweet bean dish after tasting it at a party, so I knew I had to get the recipe. It's perfect for get-togethers because you can mix it up a day early and toss it in the slow cooker a few hours before your guests arrive. —Jan Biehl, Leesburg, Indiana
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Vegan Jambalaya

This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Calico Cowboy Beans

This cowboy beans recipe is tradition when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls' weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us! —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin
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Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
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Three-Bean Baked Beans

I got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
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Sausage Bean Soup

You’re moments away from a flavor-packed soup that keeps you warm on even the chilliest nights. It's just the kind of recipe we Minnesotans love. —Marlene Muckenhirn, Delano, Minnesota
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Hearty Maple Beans

I modified this recipe to suit my family's taste. It's a great side dish for a backyard barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs. It can be made in advance and kept warm in a slow cooked for hours without losing any flavor. —Margaret Glassic, Easton, Pennsylvania
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Tangy Baked Seven Beans

Everyone needs a go-to side dish for school events, picnics and potlucks. Here's mine. Freeze leftovers for future outings. —Rod Lundwall, Tooele, Utah
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Lentil, Bacon and Bean Soup

This quick soup feels extra cozy with lots of lentils and a touch of smoky, bacony goodness. You might want to cook extra since I think it's even better the next day! —Janie Zirbser, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
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Slow-Cooker Potluck Beans

It was the morning of our family potluck and I still needed something to bring. I threw together this recipe while drinking my morning coffee. By the end of the gathering, the beans were all gone and someone had even washed the slow cooker for me! —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
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Four-Bean Medley

This side dish always gets compliments. It’s easy to make ahead and simmer in the slow cooker, so it’s super convenient to take to potlucks and church get-togethers. —Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York