Paraben Free Cilantro-Lime White Bean Zucchini Skewers
These vibrant skewers bring together smoky, spiced white bean patties and tender grilled zucchini rounds, all finished with a bright cilantro-lime drizzle that makes every bite feel fresh and lively. The ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward — whole foods like cannellini beans, fresh herbs, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, with no synthetic preservatives or hidden additives that can be tricky to avoid in processed convenience foods. Parabens and other chemical preservatives tend to sneak into packaged sauces and pre-seasoned products, so building the flavor from scratch here — cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, fresh lime juice — keeps everything clean and in your control. The trick to getting the bean patties to hold together beautifully on the grill is patting the beans completely dry before processing and giving them a quick chill in the fridge, so don't skip those steps. Once they hit the hot grill, a golden crust forms quickly and they release cleanly, making the whole process far less fussy than it sounds. The finishing drizzle of olive oil, lime, and cilantro doubles as both a basting sauce and a final flourish, layering the same bright flavors all the way through. Whether you're serving these as a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing cookout centerpiece, they deliver serious flavor with nothing unnecessary along for the ride.
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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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