Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable)

Warm, spiced Mediterranean stew featuring tender white beans, vegetables, and fragrant herbs in a rich 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 ounces 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 cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat vegetables evenly with spices.
05 - Add white beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
07 - Stir in kale or spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, with most of the time spent just letting the pot do the heavy lifting while you relax.
  • The spices wake up your palate in that surprising way that makes you feel like you're eating somewhere important, not just in your regular kitchen.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, and somehow that makes the whole experience feel smarter and kinder to yourself.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step for canned beans, because the starch left on them will cloud your broth and make it look less appetizing even though the taste would still be fine.
  • The spinach or kale makes a real difference if you add it at the very end instead of letting it simmer for the whole 20 minutes, keeping its fresh taste and bright green color visible in every spoonful.
03 -
  • The secret to stew that tastes like it simmered for hours is building your flavor foundation properly in those first few minutes, so never skip the slow sauté and toasting of spices.
  • Always finish with lemon and fresh herbs, because even the best stew needs that brightness to feel alive and not just warm.
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