Runner Bean Chutney

This runner bean chutney is perfect when you have a glut of runner beans leftover from your allotment. This chutney recipe is easy to prepare and makes a perfect Christmas present.

Made with humble ingredients, you’ll love this runner bean chutney’s consistency and it can be served in numerous ways.

For instance, the addition of  traditional Indian spices like turmeric means it will pair well with a beef kofta curry and basmati rice.

Not having a homemade chutney in the fridge is like depriving yourself of an excellent meal. Sometimes, your dinner might need just a little punch of extra flavour.

This chutney is your answer, so it is always a good idea to have a spare jar in the fridge. That being said, if you serve this runner bean chutney as a side dish or as a spread, you’ll love it!

Runner bean chutney recipe

When was the last time you enjoyed a homemade chutney? If you had to think about the response for more than five seconds, then it’s time that you make one soon.

If you have never attempted making chutney from scratch, then this runner bean chutney recipe is perfect! You will find out that making chutney is actually easier than making homemade berry jam. 

It doesn’t involve as much preparation. In addition, the runner beans won’t make such a mess in the kitchen as compared to the forest fruit.

On the whole, I always say that preserving fruit and vegetables is an art. Not only is it sustainable, it can also be potentially healthy, depending on how much sugar you use. 

When you make homemade jams, chutneys, jellies, pickles, etc., you don’t need to worry about any preservatives, additives, chemicals, sweeteners or any other nonsense which could pose as a health risk.

where to buy Runner bean chutney

Runner bean chutney is not something you come across every day. Especially, if you are looking for it in the run-0f-the-mill supermarket.

Most of the times, you will be able to locate the popular sorts like mango chutney, pear chutney, peach chutney, tamarind chutney or, if you’re really lucky, beetroot chutney.

These types of chutneys are aimed at the ‘mass market’. However, runner bean chutney is quite special. Your best bet is to look for it at a local farmer’s market or delicatessen.

However, nothing beats a homemade chutney. Especially, when you’re the one who made it with a loving touch.

What are runner beans?

A runner bean is a type of bean which has green knife-shaped pods. You might also know runner beans as scarlet runner beans or multiflora beans.

Sometimes, people also mistakenly refer to runner beans as butter beans or lima beans, which is incorrect. These two types of beans are a completely different variety of beans.

Butter beans are large beans with a white colour. I’ve used them to make these amazing butter bean recipes:

• Butter bean mash
• Sausage soup with butter beans
• Butter bean with avocado and pesto and pumpkin seeds
• Baked kabocha squash and butter bean soup
• Pork, sausage, leek, carrot and butter bean casserole
• Butter bean, bacon and thyme soup
• Warm butterbean, red pepper, green bean and mushroom salad

In either case, runner beans are equally delicious and versatile just as butter beans. In comparison to butter beans, this species of beans originated in Central America. Today, runner beans are also cultivated in the UK.

Did you know that when they grow, they bloom with stunning red flowers? Oftentimes, people see this as a bonus for growing runner beans in their own garden.

Also, it is rumoured that that the red flowers attract hummingbirds. Knowing these facts, I wouldn’t mind growing runner beans in my garden.

Slow cooker runner bean chutney

Runner beans are like any type of beans. They should be cooked thoroughly before you consume them. Otherwise, you might end of with a chewy mouthful which is rather unpleasant.

As you know, cooking beans sometimes takes a long time. Therefore, you should consider saving your time by using a slow cooker.

The slow cooker will not only cook your runner beans through properly, you don’t have to stand around and wait for the chutney to cook!

Curried runner bean chutney

As mentioned before, you can easily jazz up this runner bean chutney recipe. All you need are a couple of Indian spices.

Just add a pinch of each of these and see which flavour you prefer the most. Most of all, you can make each jar of this runner bean chutney different by altering the spice proportions.

Don’t be shy to experiment. Just take a look at these spices below:

• Turmeric or these turmeric substitutes – don’t add too much as this runner bean recipe already calls for turmeric
• Asafoetida or these asafoetida substitutes
• Chilli powder – or hot paprika if you wish for a milder substitute
• Ground cumin powder
• Garam masala spice mix
• Curry powder – I also enjoy adding a pinch of madras curry powder because it is spicy

If you are looking for more inspiring Indian chutney recipes, check out these chutneys below:

• Coconut chutney otherwise known as nariyal ki chutney
• Coriander chutney also known as dhania ki chutney

You can serve your Indian dishes with a variety of chutneys. This way, your dinner guests will get to select their favourite one.

Have you ever cooked with runner beans? Have you ever tried a runner bean chutney before? Let me know in the comments section below.

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