Butter beans - also known as lima beans in their immature, green form and occasionally even in their mature form - are a versatile white bean. They are generally bigger than cannellini beans, and are starchier too, easily turning soft and mushy rather than tender and firm. Butter beans are often mashed until smooth, served alongside meat in the place of potatoes, or added to stews so that they absorb all the flavours. You can easily buy them canned or dried, but the fresh or dried beans can’t be eaten unless boiled thoroughly for ten minutes.

Braised butter beans are a popular accompaniment to rich meat dishes like lamb neck fillet or roast pigeon. They also pair well with tomatoes as in this recipe for confit Piccolo tomatoes or this braised cuttlefish dish. Another popular way to serve butter beans is puréed into soup. The creamy consistency of the beans makes soups deliciously silky. The butter beans' softness also makes them perfect for dips and spreads, like this butter bean and tahini dip or this artichoke and white bean pâté.

For more ideas on how to use butter beans, check out our full butter bean recipe collection below.