Runner Bean Chutney with Tomato & Chilli is a sweet and chunky relish with a mild spicy heat. It’s a delicious way to spice up your meals as well as the ideal recipe for a glut of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Runner Bean Chutney
I love chutney and relish but this is my first time making runner bean chutney. While I do like the traditional mustard-based runner bean chutney, I wanted to make a chutney that tastes fresh and bright as well as slightly spicy. I also like to combine ingredients that are in the season at the same time as runner beans, like tomatoes, apples, and chillis.
What are Runner Beans?
Runner beans are a green podded vegetable with pink or purple seeds inside the pod. Did you know that they are native to South America? Fortunately, they are easy to grow and thrive in gardens in the UK. The pods are coarser than the fine French Beans and are best eaten as a vegetable when young.
Runner Beans are sometimes known as string beans because of the tough string that runs along the edge of the pod. It is now possible to find varieties that are stringless which saves the job of removing the strings.
Runner Bean Chutney with Tomatoes & Chilli is a great way to use slightly older runner beans at the end of the season.
What kind of tomatoes should I use for Runner Bean Chutney?
I use a can of peeled chopped plum tomatoes to make the chutney. However, if you have a glut of fresh tomatoes, then you can skin them, chop and add them to the chutney. One of the things I like about canned tomatoes is the colour which is often stronger than that from fresh tomatoes.
What kind of apples should I use?
I use apples from my apple tree because I usually have a good crop. You can use any kind of apple but for best results use either cooking apples or sharp flavoured eating apples for this runner bean chtuney recipe.
What kind of chillies should I use in the Runner Bean Chutney?
I use chilli flakes or chilli paste for convenience. If you want to use fresh chillies, then prepare them by removing the seeds and white ribs and finely chop them.
I don’t like my chutney spicy, can I leave out the chillies?
Yes, you can make the chutney as mild or as hot as you like by adjusting the amount of chilli you include in the recipe. It is still delicious with no chilli in it at all.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
I use white malt vinegar which is a basic white vinegar suitable for preserving. You can use white wine vinegar it will work just as well but is more expensive.
Avoid non-brewed condiment often sold as white vinegar, as this is not true vinegar and will affect the quality of your chutney.
What is fish sauce, and do I have to add it to the Runner Bean Chutney?
Fish sauce (Nam Pla) is a cooking ingredient made from salted and fermented fish. It adds a rich, savoury, and umami flavour when added to recipes. Vegetarian alternatives to fish sauce are available.
It is optional in the chutney but definitely adds a certain something to the finished relish. Don’t be put off by the smell of the fish sauce, there is no fishy taste when you include it in this recipe.
How many jars does this recipe make?
The recipe will make approximately 4 standard (378 ml) jars of chutney. It is not possible to be 100% accurate because you may reduce your chutney slightly more or less than I did.
How soon can I eat the Runner Bean Chutney?
It is best to keep chutney for 6-8 weeks before eating. The flavours will mature and the vinegar will mellow. You can eat it before 6 weeks but it is definitely better if you keep it.
How long can I keep the Runner Bean Chutney with Tomatoes & Chilli?
Runner Bean Chutney will keep in a sterilised sealed jar for about 12 months. Once the jar is opened, please store in the fridge and use it within a month.
How should I serve Runner Bean Chutney with Tomato & Chilli?
It is very much a matter of personal taste and you can serve this chutney as you would any other chutney. Here are some suggestions:
- Warm or cold cooked ham
- Cold cooked chicken
- Mild Cheeses such as Brie and Camembert
- Beef and Veggie Burgers
- Curry
- Pies & Sausage Rolls
- Add to soups and stews
How do I sterilise my jars?
I sterilise my jam jars and metal lids by thoroughly washing and rinsing them. I then put them, still wet, upside down onto a baking tray and place it in the oven at 150C just before I start to make chutney or relish.
The water creates steam which helps to sterilise the jars. I take them out of the oven and fill them with the hot jam, then put on the lids. There are other methods but this is how I sterilise my jars.
How to make Runner Bean Chutney with Tomato & Chilli
Follow the simple step-by-step instructions to make this delicous chutney.
Prepare the Runner Beans
Remove the stalk and any strings from the runner beans. I use this nifty little bean splitter but you can strip them off by hand or with a knife.
Chop the runner beans
Use a sharp knife to chop the runner beans into small pieces.
Cook the Runner Beans
- Put the chopped runner beans in a pan with cold water and salt
- Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes until tender.
- Drain the runner beans and set aside.
Add fruit and vegetables to the pan
- Peel, core and chop the apples.
- Peel and chop the onions.
- Core and chop the red pepper.
- Add all the fruit and vegetables and return the runner beans to the pan.
- Add the vinegar and simmer until everything is soft.
Add tomatoes
Add the canned tomatoes and chili paste to the fruit and vegetable mixture.
Add sugar
Add the sugar, salt and fish sauce, if using.
Simmer the chutney
Simmer the chutney, stirring frequently until it is thick.
Pot up into jars
Ladle the chutney into warm sterilised jars. I use a jam funnel but you can also use a jug to help to get the Runner Bean Chutney into the jars. Seal immediately with lids. Store in a cool place.
More Chutney & Relish Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
More Chutney Recipes
- Caramelised Onion Chutney – Curly’s Cooking
- Easy Spicy Mango Chutney – Fab Food 4 All
- Rhubarb Ginger Chutney – Tin & Thyme
- Pam’s Piccalilli – Lost in Food
Runner Bean Chutney with Tomato & Chilli
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Sharp knife
- chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- weighing scales
- 4 sterilsed glass jars with lids
Ingredients
- 500 grams (2 cups) runner beans
- 300 grams (2.5 cups) apples
- 300 grams (2 cups) onions
- 1 (1) red bell pepper
- 400 grams (1.6 cups) chopped canned tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) chilli paste or dried flaked chillis
- 300 grams (1.5 cups) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) salt
- 375 millilitres (1.5 cups) vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) fish sauce optional
Instructions
- Remove any strings from the runner beans then chop the beans into small pieces.
- Put into a large pan, cover with boiling water and a teaspoon of salt.
- Bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes until tender.
- Peel core and roughly chop apples.
- Peel and finely chop the onion.
- Core and finely chop the red pepper.
- Drain runner beans then return them to the pan.
- Add onions, apple, and pepper to the pan.
- Pour in the vinegar and simmer the fruit and vegetables until nearly soft.
- Add the canned tomatoes and chilli paste to the pan.
- Put in the salt, sugar, and fish sauce, if using.
- Simmer, stirring frequently, until the chutney is thick.
- Pot into warm sterilised jars and seal immediately.
Chloe Edges says
This sounds like a great way to use a glut of runner beans and perfect to start getting ready for all that cheese at Christmas!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, yes it’s great with cold meats and cheeses.
David white says
can I use brown sugar
Janice Pattie says
You could use brown sugar but it will change the flavour of the chutney.
Julie Young says
Just made this and it is fabulous! Sure to become something we make every year from now on. Thank you!
Janice Pattie says
That’s great to hear, thank you so much.
Cat says
What a perfect chutney to use up produce from the allotment. The perfect accompaniment to so many things.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Cat. It is a good way to preserve a glut.
Ann Paterson says
I have just made the chutney with green beans which my supermarket of choice had on offer!! Seems lovely
Janice Pattie says
Hi Ann, thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the chutney 🙂
Choclette says
Ooh runner bean chutney. I haven’t made any for years and I’ve never made any that looks and sounds as good as yours. What a splendid idea to spice it up a bit and add tomatoes too.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Choclette. It’s a really good chutney and perfect for a big harvest of runner beans.
Lesley says
This is the perfect chutney recipe for me. Not only is this a great way of using up a glut of runner beans growing in the garden, but you’ve added a nice touch of chilli too. Even better – no dried fruit which I always think spoils a chutney.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Lesley. It never occurred to me about the dried fruit, but I agree it does tend to make all chutney taste similar.
Melanie Barwick says
I’d relay like to make this but I can’t find the quantities to use. I’ve searched the recipe web page but cal though I can find the ingredients I can’t find the quantities
Janice Pattie says
Hi Melanie, scroll right to the bottom of the post or use the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top and you will get to the recipe card which has full quantities and instructions.
Andrew - Wirral, UK says
Hello Janice,
Great website and I use it a lot as a recipe resource.
I’m STILL trying to perfect my Scottish Mince Pie (the one I emailed you about? Oops, apologies!).
Is it possible to adapt this chutney recipe to the slow cooker? I much prefer using a slow cooker to make chutney – less mess and bother! Also, I’m a “Man” (what’s that, I hear you ask!), so I’m lazy!
Any advice?
All best regards,
Andrew.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Andrew
I hope you perfect your Mince Pie and I’m sure you are having lots of fun trying! I haven’t made this chutney in my slow cooker so I don’t have specific advice. I guess my issue is that you need the quantities of sugar and vinegar to preserve the chutney but a slow cooker is not the best for reducing the chutney to the right consistency. Possibly cooking it on high and leaving until it does eventually reduce might do the trick. Let me know how you get on.
Sara says
Just making my second batch of this!! Absolutely delicious, the gentle warmth from the chilli is perfect with cheese. Thanks for sharing!!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you so much, Sara. I’m so pleased you are enjoying the Runner Bean Chutney.
Louise says
I have an allotment garden and have made chutneys before from gluts of produce I have but never with runner beans. I tried yours recently and I followed your recipe pretty much exactly except I replaced the tinned tomatoes with 400g of my own fresh ones , half red and half green. Also , I had to substitute half the fresh beans with ones I had picked a few weeks earlier , cleaned and top and tailed and frozen unblanched. I was concerned it would result in a mushy chutney but not at all. This I will make every year from now on . It is delicious ! Thankyou
Janice Pattie says
Thanks for your kind comment, Louise. It is a great way to preserve runner beans, because there is always a glut!