Lima Bean and Potato Enchiladas with Hatch Green Chile Sauce! Oh, yes, you did just read "lima bean" and "enchiladas" in the same sentence. Your enchilada life will never be the same!
The inspiration behind this recipe:
So, did you ever have that one bag of something in the back of your freezer that you hated to throw out because you knew it would eventually amount to something someday? That's the story of a bag of lima beans that has been quietly, patiently waiting in the back of one of our freezers.
We recently planted our garden and with it came the realization we better finish some things from last year. Our garden will once again be producing like crazy and one should never "file" things by year in a freezer.
We also happened upon a bag of frozen, roasted, peeled and seeded Hatch green chiles from last year. The combination seemed very intriguing and I was right!
Have some you plan to roast? Here's How to Roast and Freeze Hatch Green Chiles.
Baby lima beans cooked up with diced Hatch green chilies sounded wonderful! However, enchiladas were calling my name! The combination became these delicious Lima Bean and Potato Enchiladas with Hatch Green Chile Sauce!
How to make Lima Bean and Potato Enchiladas with Hatch Green Chile Sauce:
- For this amazing filling, I simmered the lima beans with onion, garlic, a potato, a jalapeno then mashed the combination.
- I added cilantro, cheese and.... Mama! I am in love with this filling that would be great as a side dish all by itself!
- Puree the filling as much or as little as you like. You could coarsely mash everything with a potato masher or use an immersion blender to mix things up.
- You don't want to completely puree the filling as you won't be left with any texture once you bake these enchiladas. Some texture in a dish like this is always good!
- Then the sauce, my friends. So simple and easy! Canned chiles will work fine. However, come late summer, look for fresh Hatch green chiles then roast, peel, seed your own and then freeze them as we did. You'll be glad you did!
- Top with shredded Monterey jack cheese....
- Bake, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and scallion and ..... Hello.
You. Want. These. Enchiladas.
For more great vegetarian Southwestern and Mexican-inspired recipes, be sure to try my:
- Southwestern Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole
- Sheet Pan Quesadillas with Sweet Potatoes, Poblanos and Black Beans with Chipotle Sour Cream
- Quinoa, Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Southwestern Lentil and Brown Rice Bake
- Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes in Roasted Red Pepper Mole
Lima Bean and Potato Enchiladas with Hatch Green Chile Sauce
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoons canola oil - or vegetable oil
- 1 large onion - finely chopped
- 1 large Russet potato - peeled and cubed
- 1 bag (12-ounce) frozen baby lima beans
- 1 jalapeno pepper - chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - chopped
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth - or chicken broth
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil - or vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic - chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups vegetable broth - or chicken broth
- 2 cups roasted peeled and seeded New Mexico or Hatch green chiles
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
To Finish
- Cooking spray
- 10-12 corn tortillas
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese - shredded
- Chopped cilantro
- Jalapeno slices
- Sliced scallion
Instructions
Filling
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 5-8 minutes until onion is beginning to soften. Transfer HALF the onion to another saucepan and set that one aside.
- In the FIRST saucepan, add the potato, lima beans, jalapeno, garlic, and vegetable or chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes or until the potato is tender. Take it off the heat and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.
- Using a potato masher or immersion blender, coarsely puree the filling leaving bits of potato and lima bean for texture. Set aside.
Sauce
- To the saucepan you set aside with half the onion: Add the oil, garlic, cumin, oregano and flour and cook over low heat for a minute or two. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring constantly. Add the chiles and simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low heat until the sauce is thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Using an immersion blender, process the sauce until smooth.
To Finish
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray. Spread approximately 1 cup of sauce over the bottom of baking dish. Working in batches, place 3-4 tortillas on a plate. Top with a damp paper towel. Place in the microwave and heat on high for 30-45 seconds.
- Fill each tortilla with even amounts of the filling and roll up. Place on the sauce and keep rolling until all the filling is used.
- Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking another 15-20 minutes or until bubbling. Garnish with chopped cilantro, jalapeno slices and scallion. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Bebe says
Made these with my vegetarian granddaughter. Added mushrooms because she loves them. So very very good. genius combo with the lima beans! Who knew! Thank you!
Carol says
Hi, Bebe, Thanks so very much and so glad you both enjoyed! I kinda thought it was a great combo, too! Thanks again and hope you'll try some of my other vegetarian recipes.
Anonymous says
Sherry says
Tried so many times to save lima bean enchilada recipe. Can you send me the link? Thanks!
Carol says
Hi, Sherry, So sorry you're having problems but I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. How were you trying to save it? Can you be more specific? If you want to print it, there is a print feature at the top of the recipe. If you scroll down past the recipe, you'll see a bar where you can save to Pinterest, Yummly, share on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Thanks and hope you enjoy!
Christine says
I never would have thought to put lima beans in enchiladas but it looks delicious!
Carol says
Thanks, Christine! They work great because they're so mild-tasting.
MEGAN says
You had me at "hatch green chiles" and piqued my interest with "lima beans". This recipe looks so good!
Carol says
Thanks, Megan!
Michelle | The Last Food Blog says
I love the sound of this! It looks mouthwateringly good too 😉
Carol says
Thanks, Michelle!
Eleonora says
Your enchiladas are mouth-watering!
Carol says
Thanks so much, Eleonora! We really enjoyed them!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Yum! Perfect timing since Cinco de Mayo is around the corner. These enchiladas look so delicious, especially with that delectable looking sauce!
Carol says
Thanks, Elaine!