This creamy butter bean stew with fluffy Asian dumplings is the ultimate cozy comfort food. Made with butter beans, cashew cream, and homemade dumplings, it's rich, hearty, and packed with flavor.

The tomato-infused broth and tender dumplings soak up all the goodness, making each bite irresistible.These creamy butter beans are perfect for a warming dinner tonight!
💛 Why You'll Love This
✔ Hearty & Satisfying – Packed with butter beans and homemade dumplings for a filling meal.
✔ Vegan Comfort Food – A plant-based twist on a classic dish.
✔ Easy to Make – Uses simple ingredients and comes together in a single pot.
✔ Rich & Creamy – Thanks to cashew cream and a flavorful broth.

🛒 Ingredients & Descriptions
For the Stew:
- 2 tablespoon olive oil – Adds a rich, smooth base for sautéing aromatics.
- 1 yellow onion, diced – Provides a natural sweetness and depth to the stew.
- 3 garlic cloves, minced – Enhances the dish with a bold, savory flavor.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste – Intensifies the umami flavor and creates a rich, velvety broth.
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme – Adds a fragrant, earthy note to balance the flavors.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – Provides a subtle warmth and enhances the overall taste.
- 1 bay leaf – (Optional) Infuses the broth with deep, aromatic flavors.
- 4 cups vegetable broth – The flavorful base that ties all ingredients together.
- 2 cans butter beans, drained & rinsed – The heart of the dish, offering a creamy and hearty texture.
- ½ cup raw cashews, soaked & blended – Creates a smooth, cashew cream sauce that thickens and enriches the stew.
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale – Adds freshness and a nutritional boost.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice – Brightens the dish with a touch of acidity.
For the Dumplings:
- 1 pack Hongs Dumplings – Pre-made, Asian dumplings that cook quickly and absorb the rich broth.



📝 Steps
- Sauté the Base – Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Build the Stew – Add thyme, black pepper, bay leaf, and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Add Butter Beans – Stir in butter beans and let them absorb the flavors.
- Make the Cashew Cream – Blend soaked cashews with ½ cup hot water until smooth. Stir into the stew for a creamy texture.
- Drop the Dumplings – Using a smaller spoon, scoop dumpling dough into the stew, giving them little breathing room to expand. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until they are fluffy and cooked through.
- Finish & Serve – Stir in baby spinach, remove the bay leaf, and finish with lemon juice. Serve hot with crusty bread.

✨ Variations
- Swap Butter Beans – Try cannellini beans, navy beans, or lima beans.
- Add More Veggies – Toss in cherry tomatoes, baby kale, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Make It Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.
🔄 Substitutions
- No Cashews? Use coconut cream or vegan heavy cream for richness. Add nutritional yeast for much flavor. Garnish with fresh Basil and Italian herbs for better flavor.
- Gluten-Free Dumplings? Use gluten-free flour and adjust with extra baking powder.
- No Vegan Butter? Substitute with olive oil or coconut milk.

❓ FAQ
🔹 Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! The stew can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Add dumplings fresh before serving.
🔹 Can I freeze it?
Yes, but freeze the stew without the dumplings. Add fresh dumplings when reheating.
🔹 What can I serve this with?
It pairs perfectly with crusty bread, a fresh salad, or a side of rice.
🔥 Top Tip
For the best flavor, let the stew simmer for at least 10 minutes before adding dumplings. This deepens the richness!
💡 Hint
If your dumplings seem too dense, try adding a little bit more non-dairy milk or mixing less for a lighter texture.

Butter Bean & Dumplings with Cashew Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil – Adds a rich smooth base for sautéing aromatics.
- 1 yellow onion diced – Provides a natural sweetness and depth to the stew.
- 3 garlic cloves minced – Enhances the dish with a bold, savory flavor.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste – Intensifies the umami flavor and creates a rich velvety broth.
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme – Adds a fragrant earthy note to balance the flavors.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – Provides a subtle warmth and enhances the overall taste.
- 1 bay leaf – Optional Infuses the broth with deep, aromatic flavors.
- 4 cups vegetable broth – The flavorful base that ties all ingredients together.
- 2 cans butter beans drained & rinsed – The heart of the dish, offering a creamy and hearty texture.
- ½ cup raw cashews soaked & blended – Creates a smooth, cashew cream sauce that thickens and enriches the stew.
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale – Adds freshness and a nutritional boost.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice – Brightens the dish with a touch of acidity.
Instructions
- Sauté the Base – Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Build the Stew – Add thyme, black pepper, bay leaf, and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Add Butter Beans – Stir in butter beans and let them absorb the flavors.
- Make the Cashew Cream – Blend soaked cashews with ½ cup hot water until smooth. Stir into the stew for a creamy texture.
- Drop the Dumplings – Using a smaller spoon, scoop dumpling dough into the stew, giving them little breathing room to expand. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until they are fluffy and cooked through.
- Finish & Serve – Stir in baby spinach, remove the bay leaf, and finish with lemon juice. Serve hot with crusty bread.