Butter Bean Hummus – Are you looking for a delicious alternative to traditional hummus? Butter Bean Hummus with tahini takes the creaminess to the next level, and this tasty dip is dairy-free and vegan! Enjoy it with fresh pita bread or crisp vegetables for a delicious Snack or serve it at a side dish with your favorite Mediterranean entree.
WHAT ARE BUTTER BEANS?
Butter beans, or mature lima beans, are large, flat, cream-colored beans you can find dried or canned in the grocery store. Cooking them is easy, and there are various methods you can use, including boiling, steaming, or baking., but we love using them to make hummus!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Butter Beans: Lima beans or butter beans have a creamy, buttery flavor- perfect for hummus.
- Tahini: Traditional hummus does not include tahini unless you’re making hummus bi tahina. However, I love the addition! The purpose of tahini in hummus is to create a smooth texture as the paste purees with chickpeas (or butter beans for this recipe).
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice complements the savoriness of the other ingredients.
- Garlic: I suggest using six cloves, but don’t let my recipe tell you how much garlic to use- measure with your heart.
- Spices: Season the Butter Bean Hummus with ground cumin and kosher salt.
- Olive Oil: Since it’s central to the dish, use quality extra virgin olive oil.
VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Herbs: Adding chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, or mint flavors the hummus and provides a fresh pop of color.
- Sauces: Finish Butter Bean Hummus with mouthwatering sauces like Pesto, Skhug, Chili Oil, Chimichurri with Cilantro, or Chili Crisp.
- Nuts or Seeds: For the perfect crunch, consider adding toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
- Vegetables and Fruit: Enhance your hummus by adding fresh or roasted vegetables like cherry tomatoes, red peppers, eggplant, kalamata olives, olive tapenade, beetroot (have you tried our Beetroot Dip?), sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or garlic on top.
- Spices: Adding a sprinkle of spices such as sumac, paprika, red pepper flakes, Everything But the Bagel, or za’atar can enhance the flavor and appearance of the dish.
HOW TO MAKE BUTTER BEAN HUMMUS
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Combine butter beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
Add ice and process for 1-2 minutes until creamy; while the mixture is blending, pour olive oil into the food processor.
Transfer the hummus to a serving dish and use a spoon to make a well. Drizzle with olive oil and let it rest for 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or a flavorful sauce like Skhug.
TRESSA’S TIPS
- Add ice cubes to the food processor and incorporate for 3-5 minutes for a smooth and creamy texture.
- For our Butter Bean Hummus recipe, add the olive oil last for the best results; doing so helps to balance the flavors and achieve the ideal consistency.
SEARCHING FOR MORE LIKE THIS?
If you love this recipe, try one of these Sauce and Dip Favorites!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Pita Bread, Lavash, Pita Chips, Crackers, Chips
- Dolmas, Falafels
- Koobideh Kabob, Joojeh Kabob
- Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Eggplant
WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS
- Storage – The best way to store the leftovers is to place them in an airtight container; they will keep for 3-5 days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do butter beans taste like chickpeas?
The two are mild and nutty with a similar flavor profile; the difference lies in the texture rather than the taste, with butter beans having a more smooth consistency.
What is the difference between lima beans and butter beans?
They are one and the same, though they are often sold at varied stages of maturity.
Why are they called butter beans?
Particularly in the southern United States, lima beans are often called butter beans because they are smooth like butter! Even though this recipe strays from traditional hummus, it’s the creamiest hummus I have ever tasted.
What does tahini do to hummus?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and has a nutty and slightly bitter flavor. When added to hummus, it adds richness and depth of flavor, and also helps to give the hummus a nice creamy texture.
OTHER RECIPES USING BEANS:
- Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad)
- Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Authentic Chana Masala Recipe
- Best Beans for Chili
⭐️ Rate the Recipe
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Butter Bean Hummus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups butter beans canned, drained, and rinsed
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-3 ice cubes
- ⅓ cup olive oil, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Combine butter beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Add ice and process for 1-2 minutes until creamy; while the mixture is blending, pour olive oil into the food processor.
- Transfer the hummus to a serving dish and use a spoon to make a well. Drizzle with olive oil and let it rest for 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or a flavorful sauce like Skhug.
Notes
- Add ice cubes to the food processor and incorporate for 3-5 minutes for a smooth and creamy texture.
- For our Butter Bean Hummus recipe, add the olive oil last for the best results; doing so helps to balance the flavors and achieve the ideal consistency.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.