Broccoli and Butter Bean Skillet
This Broccoli and Butter Bean Skillet is an easy, creamy, and satisfying vegan dinner made with simple vegetables, protein-rich butter beans, tahini, garlic, parsley, and fresh lemon juice. Everything comes together in one pan, making this a perfect recipe for a quick weeknight meal.
If you are looking for an easy way to eat more vegetables and beans, this recipe is a great place to start. The combination of broccoli, zucchini, and white onion creates a flavorful vegetable base, while butter beans make the dish hearty and filling. Tahini adds a creamy texture and nutty flavor, while lemon juice brightens everything up.
One of my favorite things about this skillet is that it doesn’t need a complicated sauce. The tahini, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and vegetables create enough flavor to make the whole dish delicious without requiring lots of ingredients.
You can enjoy this broccoli and butter bean skillet on its own, serve it with toasted bread, or pair it with rice, quinoa, couscous, or another grain for a more substantial meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to keep this easy skillet recipe in your weekly rotation.
It’s a one-pan meal
Everything is cooked in one pan, which means less washing up after dinner. Simply sauté the vegetables, add the butter beans and remaining ingredients, mix, and serve.
It’s completely vegan
This recipe uses only plant-based ingredients, making it naturally vegan and suitable for an easy plant-based dinner.
It’s packed with vegetables
Broccoli, zucchini, and onion provide plenty of vegetables in one simple dish. It’s an easy way to build a vegetable-forward meal.
Butter beans make it filling
Butter beans have a naturally creamy texture and make this skillet much more satisfying than a vegetable-only dish.
Tahini makes it creamy
You don’t need dairy or a complicated cream sauce. A couple of tablespoons of tahini add richness and a delicious nutty flavor.
It’s quick to prepare
The vegetables only need around 5–8 minutes of sautéing before the rest of the ingredients are added. This makes the recipe ideal for busy weeknights.
The ingredients are simple
You can find everything you need in most grocery stores, and there are no unusual ingredients or complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this broccoli and butter bean skillet.
Olive Oil
Start with two tablespoons of olive oil. It provides the base for sautéing the vegetables and adds richness to the finished dish.
White Onion
One chopped white onion adds sweetness and flavor to the skillet. Cook it with the zucchini and broccoli until it becomes soft.
Zucchini
A sliced zucchini adds a soft texture and mild flavor. You don’t need to peel the zucchini before cooking.
Broccoli
You’ll need the florets from one broccoli head. Cut the florets into relatively small, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly with the other vegetables.
Butter Beans
One can of butter beans makes this meal hearty and satisfying. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the pan.
Butter beans are particularly good in this recipe because they are soft and creamy. They absorb the flavors from the garlic, tahini, lemon, and vegetables.
Garlic
Two cloves of minced garlic add plenty of flavor. Garlic works especially well with tahini and lemon.
Parsley
A handful of fresh chopped parsley adds freshness and color. Add it toward the end so its fresh flavor remains noticeable.
Black Pepper
Half a teaspoon of black pepper gives the dish a little warmth and extra flavor.
Tahini
Two tablespoons of tahini create the creamy element of the skillet. Tahini has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with butter beans and vegetables.
Lemon
A squeeze of half a lemon balances the richness of the olive oil and tahini. Fresh lemon juice also makes the vegetables taste brighter.
What Are Butter Beans?
Butter beans are large white beans with a soft and creamy texture. They are also commonly called lima beans.
They are especially useful in vegan cooking because they add substance and creaminess to meals without needing meat or dairy.
Their mild flavor makes them very versatile. You can use them in salads, soups, stews, pasta dishes, spreads, and skillet meals like this one.
For this recipe, canned butter beans are particularly convenient. Simply drain and rinse them before adding them to the pan.
If you prefer to cook your own beans from dried, you can absolutely do that as well.
Why Add Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired dishes and is one of my favorite ingredients for making simple meals more flavorful.
In this recipe, tahini adds richness and a creamy texture without using dairy.
The combination of tahini and lemon is particularly delicious. The tahini provides richness while the lemon adds acidity and freshness.
If your tahini is very thick, you can mix it with a little lemon juice before adding it to the skillet. This can make it easier to distribute throughout the vegetables and beans.
Tips for Making This Recipe
Cut the vegetables evenly
Try to cut the zucchini and broccoli into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks at roughly the same rate.
Don’t overcook the broccoli
Broccoli is best when it is tender but still has some texture. Cooking it for too long can make it soft and watery.
Use fresh lemon juice
Fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference in this recipe. The acidity helps balance the creamy tahini and butter beans.
Taste before serving
Tahini can vary in flavor and thickness, and the amount of salt needed can vary depending on the butter beans. Taste the skillet before serving and add more salt, black pepper, or lemon if needed.
Use a large skillet
A large pan gives the vegetables enough room to sauté rather than steam. It also makes it easier to mix everything together once the butter beans and tahini are added.
What to Serve With Broccoli and Butter Bean Skillet
This skillet is satisfying enough to eat on its own, but you can easily turn it into a larger meal.
Crusty Bread
Serve it with toasted sourdough or another crusty bread. The bread is perfect for scooping up the creamy tahini coating.
Rice
White rice, brown rice, or wild rice would all work well alongside the skillet.
Quinoa
For an extra hearty plant-based meal, serve the vegetables and butter beans over cooked quinoa.
Couscous
Couscous is another quick option. It takes only a few minutes to prepare and works well with the lemon and tahini flavors.
Roasted Potatoes
For a more substantial dinner, serve the skillet with roasted potatoes.
Simple Salad
You can also pair it with a simple green salad for an extra serving of fresh vegetables.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead?
Yes. This broccoli and butter bean skillet is a good meal-prep option.
Cook the recipe as directed and allow it to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently in a skillet or microwave.
The tahini may become slightly thicker after chilling. If the mixture seems dry when reheating, add a small splash of water and stir until creamy again.
For the freshest flavor, you can add a little extra lemon juice and fresh parsley just before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover broccoli and butter bean skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It is best enjoyed within a few days.
When reheating, add a splash of water if necessary and heat until warmed through.
You can also enjoy leftovers at room temperature, particularly if you turn them into a grain bowl with cooked quinoa or rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Frozen broccoli can be used, although fresh broccoli gives the skillet a slightly better texture. If using frozen broccoli, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
Can I use another type of bean?
Yes. Cannellini beans, chickpeas, or other white beans can be used instead of butter beans. Keep in mind that the texture will vary slightly.
Can I make this recipe without tahini?
Yes, although tahini adds an important creamy and nutty element. If you don’t have tahini, you can leave it out, but the finished dish will be less creamy.
Is broccoli and butter bean skillet vegan?
Yes. The recipe is made entirely with plant-based ingredients, including vegetables, butter beans, tahini, olive oil, herbs, garlic, and lemon.
What can I serve with butter bean skillet?
You can serve it with crusty bread, rice, quinoa, couscous, roasted potatoes, or a simple green salad.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. Bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, kale, green beans, or cherry tomatoes can all work well in this recipe.
How long does this recipe take to make?
The vegetables only need about 5–8 minutes of sautéing before the remaining ingredients are added, making this a quick meal for a busy day.
Check out more recipes:
Mung Bean Salad with Pomegranate
Broccoli and Butter Bean Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1 zucchini sliced
- Florets from 1 broccoli
- Salt to taste
- 1 can butter beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 handful fresh parsley chopped
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp tahini
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, sliced zucchini, and broccoli florets.
- Season with salt and sauté for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the drained butter beans, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and black pepper.
- Add the tahini and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.
- Mix everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve warm with extra parsley or lemon if desired.
