Runner Bean Chutney - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (2024)

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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.

Runner Bean Chutney - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (1)

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 curryand 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 - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (2)

CHUTNEY EQUIPMENT YOU NEED

Check out the ultimate list to chutney making equipment. You actually don't need that much and most of the items are quite affordable!

Making your own preserves is a great and satisfying hobby. Giving the gift the lovely food to your friends and family are especially rewarding!

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 buyRunner 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.

Runner Bean Chutney - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (3)

What are runner beans?

A runner beanis 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!

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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 chutney recipes, check out these chutneys below:

  • Coconut chutney otherwise known as nariyal ki chutney
  • Coriander chutney also known as dhania ki chutney
  • Nectarine Chutney - can't find it at the shops? Make your own!
  • Courgette Chutney
  • Apricot Chutney

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

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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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📖 Recipe

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Runner Bean Chutney

★★★★★5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Michelle Minnaar
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 3 x 500ml jars 1x
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Description

Homemade runner bean chutney makes an excellent Xmas present. Learn about runner beans and how to make a runner bean chutney recipe from scratch.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 3 medium onions, peeled and finely diced
  • 200ml (7fl oz) malt vinegar
  • 1kg (2.2lbs) runner beans, washed, trimmed and sliced thinly diagonally
  • 15ml (1 tbsp) English mustard powder
  • 15ml (1 tbsp) ground turmeric
  • 20g (⅔ oz) cornflour
  • 200ml (7fl oz) white wine vinegar
  • 250g granulated sugar
  • 22.5ml (1 ½ tbsp) wholegrain mustard
  • 7.5ml (1 ½ tsp) flaked sea salt

Instructions

  1. Place the onions into a large, heavy-based saucepan and pour over the malt vinegar.
  2. Bring the contents to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the onions have softened, stirring occasionally.
  3. Plunge the beans into a large pan of boiling water. Let it reach a simmering point and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander then run it under cold water. Drain again.
  4. Stir in the sugar and remaining white wine vinegar into the onions, then bring it to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
  5. Add the beans to the onions and simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Mix the mustard powder, turmeric, cornflour and 45ml (3 tbsp) of the white wine vinegar until smooth.
  7. Pour the slurry in with the onions and beans, stirring vigorously to avoid any lumps forming.
  8. Stir in the the wholegrain mustard and salt.
  9. Gently simmer the chutney for 20 minutes, stirring regularly so that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
  10. Transfer the chutney into sterilised jars.
  11. Once cooled, store in a cool dark place for at least a month.

Notes

The chutney fills roughly 1.5 litre jars.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Chutney
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: English

Keywords: runner bean chutney, runner bean recipe, chutney recipe, vegan chutney recipe

Runner Bean Chutney - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (7)
Runner Bean Chutney - A Delicious Runner Bean Homemade Chutney Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does vinegar do in chutney? ›

The sugar and vinegar are essential, too, for that quintessential sharp-sweet flavour and to preserve the chutney. If the jars have been sterilised correctly (watch our video for a failsafe method), the chutney will keep in a cool dark space for more than a year.

What to do with too many runner beans? ›

The first and most obvious thing to do with an excess of runner beans, of course, is to freeze them. You can simply top and tail your runner beans and remove the strings if necessary, then place them in the freezer in an airtight container.

What is the difference between green beans and runner beans? ›

Runner beans have been growing in South America for over 2000 years and are a popular garden vegetable in Britain too. Stronger in flavour and coarser in texture than green beans, they are also much longer and have attractive purple beans inside the pods.

Do you need to soak runner beans before cooking? ›

Preparing scarlet runner beans does indeed take some time, however, the unique flavor is absolutely worth it. In order to make the beans edible, you need to soak them in water – a lot. Let's take a look at how to prepare scarlet runner beans step by step.

Which vinegar is best for chutney? ›

Vinegar used in making chutney must be good quality and have at least 5% acetic acid content. Any good brand white, malt, wine or cider vinegar should possess the correct qualities. Brown sugar is used for darker coloured chutney but where a lighter colour is required granulated sugar is recommended.

What is a thickening agent for chutney? ›

Some popular thickening agents for chutney include:
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a common thickening agent that is widely available and easy to use. ...
  • Flour: Flour can also be used to thicken sweet chutney.
Dec 20, 2021

Are runner beans a laxative? ›

Beans. Beans contain a fibre-like starch that can increase your stool's transit time in the colon. Aside from its mild laxative effect, they also help balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut. A cup of beans may provide more fibre than a lot of leafy greens.

Can you eat the large beans from runner beans? ›

The edible flowers have a bean-like flavor and can be used in salads. The green pods are edible until they become fibrous and can be boiled, steamed, sautéed, or baked (but should be eaten raw only sparingly). Because they are tougher than many green beans, they are best sliced before cooking.

Can you freeze whole runner beans? ›

Directions. Once you have picked your runner beans, if you intend to freeze them for later use, it is essential to cut them immediately and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and rinse them in cold water to remove the heat. Store in a good quality freezer bag and freeze immediately.

When can you not eat runner beans? ›

They'll climb 8+' feet tall, will be covered in a profusion of gorgeous flowers that are edible, then small fuzzy flat pods that are edible. Once the seeds start forming, stop eating until you cook them (see above).

Can you just eat the beans from runner beans? ›

You can eat them fresh or dried (but never raw as they contain toxins which are broken down only by cooking).

Can you overcook runner beans? ›

When cooked to their best runner beans are slightly al-dente a nice bright green and have a fresh flavour, overdo it and they will lose their bright green colour, go slightly grey and be pretty tasteless. They will however still be edible unlike some overcooked veg, a minute or two over their cooking time will be OK.

Does chutney need vinegar? ›

You need 4 key ingredients to make a lovely chutney; fruit and or vegetables, vinegar, sugar and spices – simple. Most (not all) chutneys have either onion or apple as a base ingredient to which other fruits and vegetables are added.

Is chutney supposed to be vinegary? ›

Ideally all chutney should have some time to mature in a cool, dry place away from bright light. Over this period the flavour of the chutney mellows and becomes less acidic or "vinegary".

How do you balance vinegar in chutney? ›

If you have added too much vinegar to a recipe, you can try adding a bit of sugar or honey to help balance the acidity. You could also try diluting the vinegar by adding more of the other ingredients in the recipe.

Does chutney contain vinegar? ›

Chutney is a savoury condiment made from slow-cooked fruits or vegetables, vinegar, and spices. Originating from India, chutneys have travelled the globe, collecting a twist in every country to suit local tastes. Historically, it was an ideal way of preserving the autumn harvest surpluses.

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