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Saag Butter Beans

A skillet filled with saag butter beans, garnished with fresh cilantro, cream swirls, and red chili flakes.
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Saag Butter Beans is a rich, comforting Indian-inspired vegan curry made with creamy butter beans and spiced spinach sauce, topped with garlic chili oil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1-inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste (or 4 garlic cloves + 1/2 inch ginger, minced)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste (or 3 tbsp tomato puree or ketchup)
  • 7–8 oz frozen spinach (or fresh chopped greens)
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy yogurt (or cashew cream or vegan sour cream)
  • 1 cup water or non-dairy milk
  • 15 oz can butter beans (or cannellini beans or chickpeas)
  • Pepper flakes and vegan parmesan (optional garnish)
  • Garlic Chili Oil Tadka:
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1 dried red chili (hot or mild)
  • 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and toast until fragrant and dark brown.
  2. Add bay leaves and cinnamon stick, stir briefly, then add all ground spices. Lower heat if spices begin to smoke.
  3. Add chopped onion and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook until golden brown, adding splashes of water to prevent burning.
  4. Stir in ginger garlic paste, tomato paste, and a splash of water. Add remaining salt.
  5. Mix in spinach and non-dairy yogurt, followed by water or milk. Stir until combined.
  6. Add butter beans. Cover and cook for 6–8 minutes to blend flavors.
  7. Adjust salt, spice, and consistency as needed. Simmer uncovered to thicken if necessary.
  8. In a small pan, heat oil for tadka. Add red chili and let it change color, then add garlic slices and turn off heat.
  9. Once garlic is golden, pour tadka over the saag butter beans and serve with rice, naan, or bread.

Notes

  • Use frozen spinach for easier prep and better texture.
  • Adjust spice level by reducing or omitting chili oil or flakes.
  • Can substitute butter beans with chickpeas or white beans.
  • Make the dish richer with cashew cream or coconut milk.
  • Tastes even better the next day—great for meal prep.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/saag-butter-beans-delicious-recipe/