Are butter beans and lima beans the same?

Sort of! In the United States, we often use these terms interchangeably, and the preferred name varies by region. Butter beans and lima beans are both members of the Phaseolus lunatus plant species ( source ). However, Lima beans and butter beans may be packaged at varying levels of maturity: Canned beans labeled "lima beans" are often a slightly smaller size with a light green color (this is because they're harvested earlier , making them a "younger" bean), while "butter beans" (also called large limas or gigante beans ) are typically bigger, with a creamy white color and a softer texture. PS - check out our butter beans recipe collection for more great ideas!

What can I substitute for butter beans?

Use canned white beans like ( Cannellini Beans or Great Northern Beans ) instead of the butter beans here if you like. You can also use Garbanzo Beans (Chick Peas) or even black beans in a pinch, but they don't have the same creamy, cozy texture. We used the Wegmans brand canned Butter Beans in these photographs!

Can I make this recipe with dried beans?

You need to cook the beans for this butter bean toast first (don't just swap dried beans for the canned beans here). But yes, you can swap cooked , previously dried beans for the canned beans here! Learn more: How to cook beans .

What toppings can I add?

We love serving avocado toast with egg (poached, fried, scrambled, you name it!) or extra fresh herbs, but you can add just about any flavors you like here! Smoked salmon, ham, crispy bacon, or breakfast sausage are delicious if you'd like some animal protein. You can also add extra seasonings to this avocado breakfast (lemon zest, everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, za'atar, sesame seeds, etc), as well as veggies (diced tomato, sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic, caramelized onion , lightly dressed spinach or lemon arugula , and more!) For a heartier meal, you can also use this avocado and butter bean mixture as a sandwich filling.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Definitely! Just use olive oil or your favorite vegan butter substitute in place of the butter here.

Smashed Butter Bean Avocado Toast

Description

This easy avocado toast gets an extra punch of protein from canned butter beans!

Ingredients

Scale

1 ripe avocado
1 15-ounce can butter beans, drained and rinsed
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
4-6 slices sourdough bread or crusty bread
2-3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 heaping Tablespoons chopped fresh chives, plus extra for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Make the avocado mixture:

Cut avocado in half; remove the pit. Scoop avocado into a medium mixing bowl, then lightly mash with a fork to break it up into large chunks.
Add drained butter beans to the bowl, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Lightly mash the mixture together until the butter beans are evenly coated in avocado. Tip: Don't worry about mashing this into a super smooth mixture: A rustic, chunky vibe is exactly what we're going for!
Add chives and lemon juice to avocado mixture; stir to combine. Set aside while you make the toast.

Make the Toast:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Spread both sides of each piece of bread with a thin layer of butter.
Place buttered bread in the hot skillet. Cook 1-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. (Depending on the size of your skillet, you'll likely need to work in batches here.)

Assemble:

Top each slice of fried bread with a generous scoop of the avocado mixture. Use a fork to gently press the avocado onto the bread so it reaches the edges and sticks to the surface.
Garnish with extra chopped chives, a few turns of fresh cracked black pepper, and your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

This is a very loose recipe. Feel free to eyeball the exact ingredient amounts! Use more or less of any ingredient to suit your personal tastes. After a few tries, you'll be able to make these butter beans in your sleep.

Add toppings! Add an egg (poached, over easy, sunny side up, scrambled) for extra protein. Add meat (crispy bacon, prosciutto, breakfast sausage) or cheese (crumbled goat cheese, feta, shaved parmesan) if you like. Garnish with toasted nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds, pepitas), red pepper flakes, flakey sea salt, honey or hot honey, cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, grilled corn, or lemony arugula.

Substitutions. Use cannellini beans or great northern beans in place of the butter beans. You can also use chickpeas (the texture just won't be quite as creamy). If you don't have time to pan-fry the bread, toast it in a regular toaster and spread each piece with a bit of butter before assembling these toasts. Use fresh basil or fresh parsley in place of some or all of the chives.