Charred Lemon Brothy Beans (Printable Recipe)
Comforting charred lemon beans with vibrant avocado salsa - fiber-rich, budget-friendly comfort food.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Brothy Beans
01 -
2 cups dried small white beans
02 -
1 yellow onion, halved
03 -
1 bulb garlic, halved crosswise
04 -
1 lemon, halved
05 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
06 -
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
07 -
2 sprigs rosemary
08 -
4 sprigs thyme
09 -
2 bay leaves
10 -
8 cups filtered water, plus more as needed
11 -
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
12 -
1 tablespoon white miso paste (optional)
→ Avocado Scallion Salsa
13 -
1 ripe avocado, diced
14 -
2 scallions, thinly sliced
15 -
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
16 -
1 small serrano pepper or jalapeño, minced
17 -
1 teaspoon lemon zest
18 -
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
19 -
Pinch of kosher salt
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Spread the beans on a flat surface, discard debris, rinse thoroughly, and soak in filtered water for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse before use.
02 -
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add lemon and onion halves cut side down, cook for 3 minutes undisturbed. Add garlic halves cut side down and cook for 3 more minutes until slightly charred. Remove lemon and reserve.
03 -
Add remaining tablespoon of oil and red pepper flakes. Stir for 1 minute. Add soaked beans, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and partially cover. Cook for 30 minutes.
04 -
Stir in salt. Partially cover and cook for 60 to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed to keep beans submerged.
05 -
Check beans for tenderness. Squeeze garlic cloves into the pot, add lemon juice, and discard solids. For umami, dissolve miso in hot broth and stir into pot. Adjust seasoning.
06 -
In a bowl, mix avocado, scallions, parsley, minced pepper, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine.
07 -
Ladle beans and broth into bowls. Top with avocado salsa and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve with toasted bread or over grains if desired.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Soaking beans overnight improves digestibility and shortens cooking time.
02 -
Adding epazote or kombu during cooking can reduce gas-causing compounds.
03 -
Add salt halfway through cooking to avoid tough beans and ensure even seasoning.
04 -
Older beans may require longer cooking times—use fresher beans for best results.
05 -
Skip the charring step to save time—add all ingredients directly to the pot and simmer until tender.