Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable)

Hearty white bean stew with Mediterranean vegetables, herbs, and warm spices simmered in olive oil 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) 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

# Steps:

01 - Heat extra-virgin 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 ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to coat vegetables evenly in spice mixture.
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 together.
07 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle stew into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly half the battle on a weeknight.
  • The flavors deepen as it sits, so it's perfect for making ahead and reheating when life gets hectic.
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of blooming your spices in the oil, it is the difference between a good stew and one that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen.
  • Add the leafy greens at the very end, adding them too early will turn them into a sad, flavorless sludge that contributes nothing but regret.
03 -
  • Rinse your canned beans thoroughly under cold water to remove excess sodium and starch, which keeps your broth clearer and cleaner tasting.
  • Don't rush the blooming of the spices in the oil, thirty seconds more makes the difference between a one dimensional flavor and something that tastes like it has layers and history.
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