French Onion Butter Beans
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cooling Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour-1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
2-3 tbsp butter
3 large onions, diced
2 (15 oz) cans butter beans, drained (reserve 2-4 tbsp of the liquid, if needed)
If using jarred butter beans, do not drain.
1 sprig fresh thyme
½ cup beef broth
2 cups Gruyère cheese, shredded
Warm bread, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Melt the butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes, until deeply golden and caramelized.
Stir in the beef broth and thyme, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add the butter beans and simmer for 5 minutes. If using canned beans and the mixture seems dry, stir in 2-4 tablespoons of the reserved bean liquid.
Remove the thyme sprig.
Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère evenly over the top.
Place the skillet under the broiler, about 6 inches from the heating element, and broil for 2-5 minutes (my oven was closer to 8 minutes), or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Pair with warm crusty bread and butter for the perfect meal.
Notes
Jarred butter beans: add the beans with their cooking liquid.
Canned butter beans: drain first, but reserve a little of the liquid in case you want to loosen the sauce.
For extra flavor, use homemade beef broth if you have it