Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Print Version)

Hearty white bean stew with vegetables, warming spices, and Mediterranean herbs simmered in olive oil broth.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ 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 olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 4-5 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 3-4 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 spices.
05 - Add drained 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 have melded.
07 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Season the stew with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to preference.
09 - Ladle stew into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The spices warm you from the inside out without any heaviness, perfect for any season.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly half the appeal on busy weeknights.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans. It removes excess sodium and starch, making the broth cleaner and more refined.
  • Add the greens at the very end, not before. If you cook them for the full twenty minutes, they'll turn dark and mushy instead of vibrant and tender.
  • Taste before serving. Low-sodium broth means you're in charge of the salt, and that final adjustment makes all the difference.
03 -
  • Make this in a Dutch oven instead of a regular pot if you have one. It distributes heat evenly and makes the stew taste more developed.
  • Double the recipe and freeze half for a future night when you need comfort but not cooking—it freezes beautifully for up to three months.
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