Mediterranean White Bean Stew (Printable)

A hearty, warmly spiced stew featuring tender white beans, colorful vegetables, and fragrant Mediterranean 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 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 4-5 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 3-4 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 2-3 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect for something this satisfying and deeply flavored.
  • The spice blend works like a gentle hug—warming without overwhelming, which makes it friendly for almost any palate.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, and it freezes beautifully if you need a backup dinner plan.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step with the spices—it's the difference between a stew that tastes nice and one that tastes intentional and complex.
  • The red pepper flakes are genuinely optional, but even a quarter teaspoon adds warmth without heat if you're worried about spice level.
03 -
  • If you want deeper flavor without extra cooking time, add a bay leaf or a tiny pinch of saffron and let it bloom in the broth.
  • Save the lemon wedges and encourage people to squeeze them at the table rather than adding lemon juice to the pot—it tastes brighter and lets people control how much they want.
Go Back