Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Print Version)

Warm, comforting white bean stew with vegetables and Mediterranean herbs in olive oil broth.

# What You’ll 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) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), 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 Steps:

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

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, yet tastes like it's been simmering all day long.
  • One pot means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your meal.
  • The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even better the next day if you have leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans or you'll end up with an overly salty stew that no amount of additional seasoning can fix.
  • The difference between a good spice and a mediocre one matters here, so if you've had those jars for three years, this is the moment to replace them.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in containers so you have a homemade meal ready whenever you need comfort food without effort.
  • If your stew seems thin after simmering, don't add more broth next time, just remember that canned tomatoes vary in water content so account for that when you're building your recipe.
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