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Jamie Oliver Butter Bean Stew

Jamie Oliver Butter Bean Stew
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Jamie Oliver’s Butter Bean Stew is a rustic bean-based stew made by gently cooking butter beans in a tomato-rich sauce with onion, garlic, and herbs. The focus is on simplicity, balance, and slow-developing flavour rather than on complexity.

Ingredients

Scale

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    • 1 large onion, finely chopped

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme

    • 2 tablespoons tomato purée

    • 400 g chopped tomatoes

    • 2 x 400 g tins butter beans, drained and rinsed

    • 250 ml vegetable stock

    • Salt, to taste

    • Black pepper, to taste

    • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the onion

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook gently for 6–8 minutes until soft and translucent. This slow cooking brings out natural sweetness and forms the base of the stew.

Step 2: Add garlic and spices

Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, and dried herbs. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, keeping the heat steady so the garlic doesn’t burn.

Step 3: Build the tomato base

Add the tomato purée and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stir well to combine everything into a smooth sauce.

Step 4: Add beans and stock

Add the drained butter beans and vegetable stock. Stir gently so the beans stay intact while getting evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 5: Simmer gently

Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat, and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens and the beans become creamy and tender.

Step 6: Season and finish

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh herbs just before serving.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/butter-bean-stew/