Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable)

Hearty white beans, carrots, bell peppers, and kale simmered with cumin and smoked paprika in a vegetable broth.

# What You Need:

→ Beans & Broth

01 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or Great Northern white beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh

→ Vegetables

07 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 2 cups chopped kale or spinach

→ Spices & Herbs

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add sliced carrots and diced red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat vegetables evenly in spices.
05 - Add white beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
07 - Stir in kale or spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect for something that tastes like it's been simmering all day.
  • The spices bloom so beautifully that you'll taste depth in every spoonful without any complicated techniques.
  • It's endlessly forgiving whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd on short notice.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans or the stew can taste tinny and the texture gets gluey from all that extra starch.
  • The greens go in at the very end because they'll keep cooking even after you remove the pot from heat, and you want them to stay vibrant rather than turning into sad mush.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in containers so you have emergency comfort food ready whenever you need it.
  • If your stew tastes flat after simmering, it's usually because it needs either salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon, so always taste and adjust before serving.
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