Kuru Fasulye (Turkish White Bean Stew)
In short: Creamy white beans simmered slowly in a sauce of onion, tomato and pepper paste until the broth turns thick and glossy, served with rice pilaf. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Kuru fasulye is the bean dish most Turkish families would call their own, and it appears on home tables and in plain lunch restaurants every week. Dried white beans simmer gently with onion, tomato paste and pepper paste until the beans are creamy and the broth is thick enough to coat a spoon. It is always served with rice pilaf, pickled peppers and raw onion.
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Put them in a pot, cover with fresh water and boil for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam. Drain and rinse again.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 7 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and pepper paste and cook for 2 minutes until darker. Add the grated tomato, paprika and pepper flakes and cook for 3 minutes more.
- Add the beans and enough hot water to just cover them, about 1 liter (4 cups). Bring to a simmer, cover partly and cook over low heat for 50 to 60 minutes.
- When the beans are almost tender, stir in the salt. Salting earlier can leave the skins tough. Cook for 10 to 15 more minutes, until the beans are creamy inside and the sauce is thick.
- Take the pot off the heat, cover and rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot with rice pilaf, pickled peppers and sliced raw onion.
Tips
- For a deeper flavor, add 1 bay leaf and 1 tbsp extra pepper paste with the tomato paste, and finish the pot with a spoonful of good olive oil.
- In a hurry? A pressure cooker cooks soaked beans in about 15 minutes, and canned beans can simmer in the sauce for 20 minutes.
Questions and answers
Do I have to soak the beans for kuru fasulye?
Soaking overnight shortens the cooking time and helps the beans cook evenly. If you forget, cover them in boiling water for 1 hour, or use a pressure cooker.
What do you serve with kuru fasulye?
Plain rice pilaf is the classic partner, with pickled peppers, sliced raw onion and a tomato salad. Many families add a plate of mixed pickles (turşu).
Can I freeze kuru fasulye?
Yes. Cool it fully and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently, adding a splash of water if it has thickened.
How long does it take to make Kuru Fasulye (Turkish White Bean Stew)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kuru Fasulye (Turkish White Bean Stew)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 46 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
