Bosanski Grah (Bosnian Smoked Bean Stew)
Local name: Bosanski grah
In short: Creamy white beans simmered with onion, carrot and smoked ribs, then thickened with a paprika roux until the broth turns rich and velvety. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Grah is the everyday bean pot of Bosnian kitchens, cooked on cold days and whenever something cheap and filling is wanted. White beans simmer with onion, carrot and smoked meat until soft, and a quick roux of oil, flour and sweet paprika gives the broth a deep red color and body. It is eaten with bread and pickles, often with a raw onion on the side. Like most bean dishes, it tastes better the next day.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a large pot with the ribs, onion, carrots, bay leaf and water. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam.
- Simmer partly covered for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until the beans are completely tender, adding hot water if the level drops. Add the salt for the last 15 minutes.
- Lift out the ribs, pull the meat from the bones and return it to the pot. Remove the bay leaf.
- Heat the oil in a small pan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until light gold. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the paprika and garlic, which scorch quickly, and loosen with a ladle of bean broth.
- Stir the roux into the pot with the parsley and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Crush a few beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth.
- Taste for salt and serve hot with bread, pickled peppers and sliced raw onion.
Tips
- Short on time? Boil the beans for 2 minutes, cover and stand for 1 hour instead of soaking overnight. Salt only near the end so the skins stay tender.
- No smoked ribs? Use smoked sausage or bacon. For a meatless pot, skip the meat and add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
Questions and answers
Can I make Bosnian bean stew ahead of time?
Yes. It thickens in the fridge and tastes better after a day. Keep it for up to 4 days and thin it with a little hot water when you reheat.
Can I use canned beans for grah?
Yes. Use about 3 cans (400 g each), drained. Simmer the ribs, onion and carrots in the water for 1 hour first, then add the beans and cook for 20 minutes.
Can I freeze bosanski grah?
Yes. Freeze it in portions for up to 3 months, thaw overnight and reheat with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Bosanski Grah (Bosnian Smoked Bean Stew)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bosanski Grah (Bosnian Smoked Bean Stew)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 15 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
