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This creamy, healthy butter bean hummus recipe is easy to make and totally delicious! With just 7-ingredients and a few simple steps, you'll have a perfect dip ready in minutes. You will love this smooth and creamy no chickpea hummus. It's great as a side, as a dip, or as a spread, and it just happens to be naturally gluten-free and vegan, too!
Vegan butter bean hummus is going to become your new go-to recipe! It makes a quick and easy appetizer, with all the classic flavors of traditional hummus. Pair it with your favorite veggies and pita chips for a balanced snack that is perfect any time of day.
Butter beans are part of the white bean family, alongside cannellini beans, navy beans, and great northern beans. Any variation of white bean hummus makes for a delicious snack!
This gluten free lima bean hummus recipe is the perfect dip to bring to a party or gathering, or to enjoy anytime you're craving something simple and savory. It is so versatile that you can easily pair it with whatever veggies or crackers you have on hand.
If you are looking to take this butter bean hummus recipe to the next level, try it with my healthy falafel wrap or my easy greek pita sandwich!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Great source of dietary fiber
- High-protein snack
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Requires just a few simple ingredients
- Kid friendly and family friendly
- Creamy texture
- Best lima bean hummus ever!
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🥘 Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make homemade hummus. Most of these items are easy to find at the grocery store and are probably already pantry staples in your home!
- Canned Butter Beans: These white beans will give this delicious hummus an enticing buttery texture. They are large, creamy beans also known as lima beans and can be easily found at your local supermarket. Since they are also a good source of protein, they make a great replacement for garbanzo beans.
- Garlic: For this recipe you can use cloves of raw garlic or ready-to-go minced garlic in a jar. I personally love to use whole garlic cloves when I have extra time on hand to peel them. For even more flavor, try roasted garlic by cutting off the top of the cloves, drizzling with olive oil, and baking!
- Salt & Olive Oil: Ingredients like salt and olive oil are typically pantry staples, which is why I love any recipe that includes both. Just a pinch of sea salt can enhance the flavors of any dish. Olive oil adds creaminess to this hummus. You can even add a drizzle of olive oil on top for the best lima bean dip. I prefer to use a high quality extra virgin olive oil!
- Lemon Juice: Lemon adds a slightly acidic and citrus touch to hummus. For this butterbean hummus recipe you can use bottled or fresh lemon juice! You can even take things a step further using lemon zest.
- Tahini: Tahini is a common ingredient in hummus and is made with sesame seeds. It has an earthy, nutty flavor that compliments Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. It will give this butter bean hummus recipe a smooth texture.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin gives a boost of flavor and warmth to any dish it is added to! You can grind your own cumin seeds for a fresher, bolder taste.
🔪 Instructions
You will be wowed by this easy butterbean hummus! The best part? It only takes a total time of 5 minutes to prepare. Here's how to make it:
Blend Ingredients: Add all ingredients including the 2 tbsp of aquafaba to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend for 2-3 minutes.
Scrape & Blend: Scrape down the sides of the food processor and blend again until smooth.
Adjust: Add water to achieve your desired consistency, if needed. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Serve: Serve with a sprinkle of paprika, a pinch of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and chopped parsley if desired.
💭 Expert Tips
- Water can be used. If you forget to reserve the liquid from the tin you can replace it with water. Aquafaba is the liquid in the can of butter beans and will make a creamier butter bean dip, but it is not essential.
- This recipe makes a lot of hummus, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller portion, or make a large portion and freeze half for later!
- If hummus is too thin, refrigerate for an hour or two to thicken. If the dip is still not at the desired consistency, you can add in more tahini or use a high speed blend to blend more hummus ingredients into a thick paste. Use less liquid when blending. Mix with the too-thin hummus.
- Serving suggestions: Servethis lima bean hummus with your favorite tortilla chips or these air fryer tortilla chips, with fresh veggie sticks, as a spread in this Panera mediterranean veggie sandwich recipe, as a topping for Greek nachos, or as a spread for pita bread. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
📖 Variations
- Add Some Heat: Spice up this hummus recipe without chickpeas by adding some crushed red chili flakes or some of your favorite hot sauce and mix it through.
- Different Beans: You can make pinto bean hummus, black bean hummus, or kidney bean hummus, too by just switching out these large lima beans for pinto, black or kidney beans!
- Toppings For Butter Bean Hummus: Switch up the way you serve this healthy bean hummus by using toppings like black pepper, feta cheese, pesto, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can use hummus to top a falafel bowl or within a wrap too!
- Hummus Without Lemon: Swap the lemon juice for lime juice.
- Add Other Veggies: Try adding in veggies like red peppers for a roasted red pepper hummus. You could make a tasty avocado hummus, too.
- Add Fresh Herbs Or Citrus: Try adding cilantro or rosemary, or even more lemon juice or lemon zest. Add in extra garlic or garlic powder for garlic white bean hummus.
- White Bean Hummus Without Tahini: You can swap the tahini in this easy lima bean dip recipe for other nut and seed butters like unsweetened cashew butter or almond butter. Greek yogurt could work too, if you don't need a vegan option.
❓Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between lima beans and butter beans?
If you've been confused about the difference between lima beans and butter beans, there's good news. They are actually the same! You can use both names interchangeably.
What are butter beans? Do butter beans taste like chickpeas?
Butter beans, also referred to as lima beans, get their name from their smooth texture and subtle buttery flavor. They are a larger bean with a flatter appearance.
While both chickpeas and butter beans could be considered to have a mild flavor, they differ slightly in both taste and texture. Lima beans have a buttery flavor and a slightly starchy texture. Chickpeas have a nutty, earthy flavor and a slightly grainy texture. Both have a mild taste that makes them perfect for incorporating into recipes.
How long does butter bean hummus last in the fridge? Can you freeze this hummus?
Store hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. And yes, you can freeze this butter bean dip recipe! To freeze, transfer the dip to a freezer safe, air-tight container, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Are butter beans good for you?
Butter beans have many benefits making them a healthy option for you! They are high in protein and low in fat and calories. They are an excellent source of fiber, helping with digestive health. Rich in vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin B, you can feel good about adding butter beans to your diet!
Can you use canned butter beans to make hummus?
Absolutely! Canned butter beans are soft and tender, so they are great for making a really smooth hummus in just a few minutes, since they require minimal prep. Plus, you can use the liquid in the can (aquafaba) which is perfect for this hummus without chickpeas. Drain the canned beans and set aside some liquid in a small bowl to use when blending.
