Beef Free Cilantro-Lime White Bean Zucchini Skewers
These skewers are the kind of thing that makes people forget they're not eating meat — smoky, golden bean patties nestled between tender grilled zucchini, all finished with a bright, herby lime drizzle that ties everything together. The white beans get pulsed with garlic, cumin, turmeric, and smoked paprika into a coarsely mashed mixture that grills up with a satisfying crust on the outside while staying creamy within. A quick chill in the fridge before grilling is the secret move here — it firms the patties up so they hold their shape on the skewer and release cleanly once that first golden crust forms. The cilantro-lime drizzle does double duty, going on before the grill and again right before serving, so every bite is layered with fresh, citrusy flavor. Zucchini rounds are the perfect partner — they pick up beautiful grill marks and soften just enough to contrast the hearty bean patties without turning mushy. This is a genuinely crowd-pleasing option for backyard cookouts where you want something bold and satisfying that happens to contain zero red meat. Serve straight off the grill with extra lime wedges and watch them disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the bean patties
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or navy), drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the skewers
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb total), cut into 1-inch rounds
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
For the cilantro-lime drizzle
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for at least 15 minutes so they don't scorch on the grill.
- 2
Spread the drained white beans on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat thoroughly dry — the drier the beans, the better the patties will hold together.
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