Creamy Lemon Butter Beans with Greens

Bean in form.

Part of the Full Form Challenge — because your best sessions start with a happy belly.

This is one of those meals you make when you want something that feels good, but not heavy.
Fresh, creamy, bright — and surprisingly satisfying for something so simple. The kind of weeknight dinner that makes you feel like you’ve got it together.

Disclaimer: These recipes are intended as general meal inspiration only and are not personalised nutrition advice.

Did you know?

Beans are doing more than you think.

full form creamy lemon butter beans greens hero

They’re a source of both plant-based protein and fibre, and they also contain something called resistant starch — which helps feed beneficial gut bacteria and supports more stable energy over time.

So meals like this aren’t just filling, they’re actually doing something in the background too.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp oil or butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ zucchini (sliced or diced)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can butter beans (drained and rinsed)
  • ½ cup vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp cream
  • Juice and zest of ½ lemon
  • 1 handful spinach
  • Salt and pepper for taste

Optional: any extra vegetables you like (e.g. capsicum, mushrooms, broccoli), chilli flakes, parmesan, fresh herbs

Method

  1. Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add zucchini (and any additional vegetables) and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavour.
  4. Add butter beans and stock, then simmer for 3–5 minutes.
  5. Turn down heat and stir through cream, lemon juice and zest, until heated and combined.
  6. Add spinach at the end and gently fold through until just wilted. Season to taste.

To serve:

Serve as is or with toast or rice, or alongside a choice of protein for a higher protein meal. Top with parmesan, chilli flakes or fresh herbs if desired

Quietly doing a lot for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Charlotte Kemp
Studying Exercise Science and Nutrition because she actually lives it, Charlotte's philosophy is simple: cook, eat, exercise, repeat — and make it enjoyable. The behind-the-scenes powerhouse keeping operations and merch running, she's also a TikTok creator in her own right. Basically, she does it all... and makes it look easy.
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