Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable Version)

Tender white beans, colorful vegetables, and fragrant Mediterranean herbs simmered in a rich olive oil broth for a hearty, warming dish.

# 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

# Steps:

01 - Heat 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 cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat vegetables evenly.
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 have melded.
07 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fully wilted.
08 - Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
09 - Ladle stew into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you've been cooking all day, but honestly takes less than an hour from start to finish.
  • The spice balance is gentle enough for anyone but layered enough to feel genuinely interesting.
  • Somehow becomes even better the next day when you reheat it, making it perfect for meal prep without the bland leftovers problem.
02 -
  • Rinsing canned beans is the difference between a silky broth and one that looks vaguely gray, so don't skip that step even though it feels unnecessary.
  • Adding the greens at the very end keeps them bright and tasting fresh instead of turning them into something that tastes like boiled nothing, which changes the entire eating experience.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in individual containers so you have genuine home cooking ready whenever you need comfort that tastes like someone who loves you made it.
  • Drizzle extra olive oil right before serving because richness at the end tastes more luxurious than if you added it during cooking, and it catches the light beautifully in the bowl.
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