Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Butter Bean Stew with Swiss Chard
A comforting, flavor-packed stew made with creamy butter beans, earthy Swiss chard, roasted garlic, and a savory Parmesan rind. This hearty dish is easy to make, versatile, and perfect for any season. Serve it with crusty bread or over rice for a filling meal that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 tablespoon mashed roasted garlic cloves or roasted garlic paste
- ¼ cup white wine
- 30 oz canned butter beans do not drain
- 2-3 cups chicken broth
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 5-6 cups chopped Swiss chard
- pinch ground nutmeg
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté for 4-6 minutes, until tender and translucent.
- Add the roasted garlic (either mashed cloves or paste) and stir to incorporate. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the garlic to release its aroma.
Deglaze with White Wine:
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Let it simmer for about 1-2 minute to cook off the alcohol and reduce.
Add Beans and Broth:
- Add the canned butter beans (undrained) and chicken broth to the pot.
- Drop in the parmesan rind and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, allowing the stew to thicken.
- Tip: For a thicker stew, mash a few of the butter beans to release their starch and naturally thicken the broth.
Add Swiss Chard:
- Remove the softened parmesan rind from the stew.
- Stir in the chopped swiss chard and simmer for 8-10 more minutes, or until the chard has softened and wilted.
Season and Serve:
- Add a pinch of ground nutmeg to the stew and stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: Ensure the white wine and chicken broth used are certified gluten-free. Serve with gluten-free bread or crackers for a satisfying meal.
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and use a vegetarian Parmesan alternative or omit the Parmesan rind entirely.
- Vegan: Replace the butter with olive oil or a vegan butter substitute, use vegetable broth, and skip the Parmesan rind. For extra richness, stir in a spoonful of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
- Roasting the Garlic: Roasting garlic brings out its sweetness and mellows its sharpness. You can easily roast a whole head of garlic in advance (just wrap it in foil and bake at 400°F for 30-40 minutes). If you prefer a quicker method, sauté the garlic gently in butter for a similar but slightly different flavor profile.
- Parmesan Rind: Adding a Parmesan rind is an easy way to infuse your stew with extra savory depth and a nutty, umami flavor . Be sure to remove it before serving—it will soften during cooking, but the rind itself isn’t edible.
- Butter Beans: Don’t drain the canned butter beans! The liquid helps thicken the stew as it simmers, creating a creamy texture without added cream. If you prefer a thicker stew, mash a portion of the beans before adding them back in for a heartier consistency.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the stew becomes too thick as it sits, simply stir in a little more chicken broth or water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Swiss Chard Substitutes: Swiss chard can be swapped for kale, spinach, or collard greens if you prefer a different leafy green, though the flavor and texture will vary slightly.
- Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used.
Nutrition
Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 47.2gProtein: 18gFat: 5.4gSaturated Fat: 2.9gCholesterol: 12.2mgFiber: 14.4gSugar: 6.8g
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