Grilled Fava Beans

Grilled Fava Beans are one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh favas-grill them right in their pods until smoky and tender, then toss with a lemony sumac dressing and plenty of fresh herbs.

If you've ever wondered what to do with fresh fava beans, throw them on the grill! Grilling fava beans right in their pods is one of the simplest ways to prepare them-no shelling or blanching required beforehand. The pods blister and char while the beans inside become tender and deliciously smoky.

Here, we toss the warm fava beans with a bright, Middle Eastern-inspired dressing of olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and sumac, then finish with plenty of fresh mint, parsley, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper. It's simple, rustic, and such a delicious way to celebrate fava bean season.

Fava Bean Recipe Ingredients

• Fresh fava beans - Look for fresh, firm, bright green pods. They're grilled whole until lightly charred and tender.
• Olive oil & salt - A simple coating helps the fava bean pods blister and char beautifully on the grill.
• Garlic & shallot - Add savory depth to the dressing; the shallot is optional.
• Lemon - Fresh lemon zest brightens the dressing, with an optional squeeze of juice for serving.
• Sumac - Adds a tart, citrusy flavor that pairs beautifully with the smoky grilled fava beans.
• Fresh mint & Italian parsley - Bring a fresh, herbaceous finish and plenty of color.
• Aleppo pepper - Optional, but lovely for a gentle warmth and fruity chili flavor; substitute red pepper flakes.

How to Grill Fava Beans

The best fava beans for grilling are small, young and tender- this way you can eat the pods. Mature fava beans can also be grilled, but treat them like edamame, discarding the pods.

Fire up your grill. Lightly coat the fava beans in a little olive oil and season with salt.

Char the fava beans on both sides, about 3-4 minutes on each side, covering, then place in a bowl or on a platter.

Make the simple dressing with olive oil, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, sumac, salt and pepper and pour it over top. Sprinkle with fresh mint, parsley and aleppo chili flakes, and that’s it.

Eat them with your fingers like you would edamame, either popping the beans from in the pods, or if the pods are young enough, they too are edible. So easy, so delicious!

Simple, easy Grilled Fava Beans – full of Middle Eastern flavor. Pick up some fresh fava beans while they last!

xoxo

Sylvia

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Grilled Fava Beans with Mint, Lemon Zest and Sumac

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• Author: Sylvia Fountaine
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: grilling, sides, vegan, Vegetable, vegetable side dish
• Method: grilled
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Description

Grilled Fava Beans- with Mint, Lemon & Sumac, a simple, easy way to prepare fresh fava beans on the grill with Middle Eastern flavors. Vegan and Gluten-free!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1/2x1x2x

• 20-30 fresh Fava beans ( in the pod)
• olive oil to coat
• generous pinch salt
• Dressing:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced - use a garlic press!
• 1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped (optional)
• zest from one medium lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• Garnish:
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup Italian Parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon aleppo chili ( or regular chili flakes ) optional
• squeeze of lemon, optional

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Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Toss fava beans with a little drizzle of olive oil, just enough to coat, and sprinkle generously with salt.
3. Grill each side until deep grill marks apear ( 4-5 minutes, each side) covering grill. Try a tester and make sure inner bean is tender.
4. Spread out on a platter, spoon dressing over top. Sprinkle with fresh mint and parsley and aleppo chili flakes. Taste one for salt. ( I ususally add extra finishing salt.)
5. If you like a little more lemon flavor, give them a squeeze of lemon.
6. Eat like you would edamame, with your fingers, scraping out the beans with your teeth.
7. Very hands-on. 🙂

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Notes

With younger smaller fava bean pods, you find the outer pods edible and tasty! Good fiber.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5 pods
• Calories: 229
• Sugar: 2.8 g
• Sodium: 239.5 mg
• Fat: 9.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 11.5 g
• Protein: 11.9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg