Butter Bean Hummus

This creamy Butter Bean Hummus (lima bean hummus) is a good velvety twist on the traditional chickpea hummus. Seasoned with za'atar, (a popular Middle Eastern spice blend), tahini, lemon, olive oil, and roasted garlic- it's the solid spread for dipping, layering sandwiches, and so much more!

We originally made this butter bean hummus to pair with grilled garlic scapes, and it was such a hit, that we dipped anything and everything into it. Carrots, chips, rice cakes- you name it. It's that good!

To make butter bean hummus, blend canned butter beans with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt until smooth and creamy. We like to add za'atar, a nutty spice blend generally consisting of thyme, sesame seeds, oregano, and sumac. If you don't have za'atar you can use a mixture of your favorite spices.

What are butter beans?

Butter beans, also known as lima beans, are a type of legume native to Central and South America. They are named for their rich, buttery texture and slightly sweet, nutty taste. Butter beans pair beautifully with bold spices and fresh, bright flavors.

All you need are a few ingredients to make this irresistible butter bean spread.

• Butter beans (lima beans) we buy them canned- so easy and adds to the creaminess. We only drain them slightly, so some of the starchy liquid stays behind.
• Tahini This is traditional in hummus, and for good reason. Its nutty, creamy texture pairs so well with the mild lima beans. We recently learned that not all tahinis are created equal. We have been sticking with our favorite Soom brand because of the great taste and the right-out-of-the-jar creaminess. Depending on the brand of tahini you use, you may need to add a little hot water to thin it out.
• Garlic You can use raw garlic, but instead we opt for roasted garlic. It has a milder flavor. We make it in bulk and freeze it for when we need it.
• Lemon Adds acidity and balances out the flavor.
• Olive oil we use extra virgin olive oil. Choose a quality olive oil. We always top off the hummus with a extra generous drizzle.
• Salt and pepper For flavoring the hummus.
• Za'atar For flavoring the hummus. Every time we serve it, it always has people guessing what the unique flavor is. You can use a mix of whatever spices you want.
• Sesame seeds or fresh herbs for topping optional.

How to make butter bean hummus

All you need is a food processor or blender. Then add the ingredients, blend, and spread- that's it!

Step 1. Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender.

Step 2. Blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute until creamy, adding more oil if needed.

How to make roasted garlic

This step is totally optional! You can use regular garlic cloves for the butter bean dip. We prefer a more mild garlic flavor, and roasting the garlic helps to mellow its sharpness.

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425℉. Remove the papery skin from the garlic head. Using a knife, cut ¼ -½ inch off the top of the garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil.

Step 2. Roast the garlic in the oven for 40-50 minutes, until the garlic is golden brown, soft, and caramelized. Allow to cool slightly before handling.

Expert tip

If your tahini is too thick, try adding a little hot water to get a thinner consistency. Give it a good stir to loosen any clumps.

Butter bean hummus flavor variations

This easy butter bean hummus is so customizable. You can re-create your favorite store-bought flavors right at home. Here are a few suggestions to try:

• Fresh herbs Finely chop fresh herbs for a good herbed hummus. Dill, parsley, oregano, thyme, and chives are great choice.
• Roasted red pepper Add ¼ cup roasted red pepper when blending for a roasted red pepper hummus.
• Artichoke For an artichoke hummus, chop up some canned artichokes, and add to the food processor.
• Dried spices Try a combination of cumin and smoked paprika for a smoky finish.

How to serve butter bean hummus

• Serve it like you would any hummus Grab a full plate of crackers, pita, or fresh veggies, and you'll have an good appetizer.
• Spread it on toast we love a good hummus toast and this butter bean hummus would make a great base for this beet toast with dill.
• Layer it in your favorite sandwich Try adding it to this heirloom tomato sandwich for another layer of flavor.

Keeping leftovers

You can store butter bean spread in the fridge for up to one week. Choose an airtight container, and drizzle a little oil over the top to preserve it's freshness.

Kitchen questions

We don't have butter beans, can we use another bean?

Yes! You can substitute cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, white beans, northern beans, etc. You may need to adjust the oil depending on how starchy the beans are.

Solid pairings

Try using hummus on toast, eggs, or sandwiches.

Ingredients

Makes 5 (1/4 cup servings -1 1/4 cups total)

• 1 (14.5-15.5) ounce can butter beans (lima beans), drained but not rinsed
• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)
• 2 tbsp tahini (tahina, ground sesame, tahini paste)
• 1 clove roasted garlic* or raw garlic (*roasted garlic recipe included)
• ¾ tsp za'atar (or use your preferred spice (cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, etc.))
• ¼ tsp kosher or fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ tsp fresh ground pepper, plus more to taste
• sesame seeds or fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

Equipment

• food processor or blender

Method

1. Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor or blender.

2. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until smooth and creamy. Add more oil if needed to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Garnish with an extra drizzle of oil, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs, if using.

Roasted Garlic (Optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 425℉. Remove the papery skin from the garlic head. Using a knife, cut ¼ -½ inch off the top of the garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in aluminum foil.

2. Roast the garlic in the oven for 40-50 minutes, until the garlic is golden brown, soft and caramelized. Allow to cool slightly before handling. Store the remaining garlic in an air-tight container in the fridge submerged in oil for up to 2 weeks.

Kitchen notes

• If your tahini is too thick, try adding a little hot water to get a thinner consistency. Give it a good stir to loosen any clumps.
• You can store butter bean spread in the fridge for up to one week. Choose an airtight container, and drizzle a little oil over the top to preserve it's freshness.