Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable Version)

A hearty stew with tender white beans, vegetables, and Mediterranean herbs simmered in olive oil broth.

# List of 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 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 - 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 0.25 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the carrots and red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Sprinkle in the cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices.
05 - Add the 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 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been tending it all day.
  • The spices create this warm, complex flavor that somehow feels both comforting and adventurous.
  • It's naturally plant-based, endlessly adaptable, and gets better as leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans, as it removes excess sodium and starch that would make the broth cloudy rather than clear.
  • If your stew seems too thin after cooking, it means your heat was too high and liquid evaporated, so simmer covered next time to retain moisture.
  • The flavors actually improve the next day as the spices continue to blend, so this is one of those rare dishes that's better as a leftover.
03 -
  • Toast your spices briefly in the oil before adding vegetables for exponentially more flavor in the same amount of time.
  • Save a splash of the cooking liquid before adding kale so you can thin the stew later if it thickens too much as it cools and sits.
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