This recipe for Sauteed Fava Beans is one of my favorites. Fresh fava beans can be treated so simply- here we saute them with shallot, toss with fresh mint leaves, lemon zest and shaved cheese- a lovely spring side dish or feel free to incorporate them into pasta, risotto,or healthy bowls.

How to prepare and cook fava beans! A delicious spring-inspired side dish featuring fresh fava beans, mint and lemon. #favabeans Find your hope, then, on the ground under your feet.- Wendall Berry

Hello beautiful spring side dish! Sauteed Fava Beans with Mint & Lemon pairs well with many things. Mint and lemon really brighten up and accentuate their flavor, while Ricotta Salata- a salty, hardstyle ricotta cheese adds delicious depth (pecorino would also work well).

When fava beans are young and tender- you can simply grill them and eat the whole pods. But as they mature, they do take a little time to prepare, but I promise, it’s not hard and the rewards outweigh the effort. Allow yourself a solid hour for these, or make it in stages, getting your family to help out with the shucking and peeling.

It has become such a beautiful ritual, nudging me to slow down and celebrate spring.

fava beans, lemon, mint, shallot on the counter

Ingredients

Fava beans (in the pod)– Depending on where you live, fresh fava beans are in season from late March – June.
olive oil
veggie broth or chicken stock or water
lemon (juice and zest)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh mint leaves
Ricotta Salata– or sub pecorino, parmesan, manchego (basically any hard salty cheese)

How to Saute Fava Beans

fava bean pods being split open with beans showing

Step one:

Shuck the fava beans, removing the outer pod. Pinch the stem end, and pull the string down the side, which will open up the pod, almost like a zipper. Pop out the beans with your thumb. I love this sensation- very gratifying! A good rule of thumb is one pound of fava beans in the pod, will yield 1- 1 1/8 cup of fava beans once shucked and peeled.

shucked fava beans on the counter.

Take notice of the various sizes. The larger fava beans will need their outer skin removed after a quick salt water blanch.

Fava Beans lined up in a row, ranging from small to large.

Step two

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a roiling boil. Blanch the fava beans 15-20 seconds. Drain and place in cold water or ice water bath.

blanching the fava beans in a pot of salted water

Step three

Remove the outer skin of the medium and large fava beans. Allow 15-20 minutes for this. Inside you’ll see a bright and happy bean!

Remove outer skin

Tip: If preparing ahead for guests, you could do all this ahead and store the shucked and peeled beans in the fridge for up to 3 days.

peeled fava beans in a bowl

Step four

Saute the beans. Heat olive oil in a skillet, and saute the shallot. Season with pepper.

sauting shallot in a skillet

Step five

Add the fava beans and a little splash of broth, and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes or until fava beans are just tender.

adding broth and fava beans to the skillet.

Season with salt, lemon zest, lemon juice and chili flakes if you like.

lemon zest and lemon juice added to the skillet

Step six

Garnish with fresh torn mint leaves and shaved cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

How to prepare and cook fava beans! A delicious spring-inspired side dish featuring fresh fava beans, mint and lemon. #favabeans

How to serve Fava Beans

Serve fava beans as a delicious side dish with tofu, fish or chicken.
Add the fava beans to lemony risotto.
Add to pasta like Cacio e Pepe,
Add to a salads
Add to Buddha Bowls

More Fava Bean recipes you may enjoy

These fava beans are such a special treat. Although they do require about an hour of time, I find I truly enjoy the ritual at least once a year- a delicious way to celebrate the season!

Have a wonderful week,

Sylvia