Loubia (Moroccan White Bean Stew)
Why this recipe works
- Layered savoury base: Onion, garlic, cumin, paprika and tomato create a warm, rounded sauce without needing many ingredients.
- Gentle simmering: Cooking the beans slowly helps them soften while keeping their shape, giving the stew its characteristic hearty texture.
- Keeps well: The tomato-rich sauce holds up well in the fridge or freezer and reheats easily with a little extra stock if needed.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Cook until tender, not collapsing: The beans should be soft all the way through but still intact, so keep the heat low once the stew is simmering.
- Let the sauce reduce: Simmer uncovered near the end so the tomato sauce thickens and clings to the beans rather than staying watery.
- Avoid a hard boil: A rapid boil can split the beans and make the sauce cloudy; a steady gentle simmer gives a better finish.
Ingredient notes
- Dried beans give the best texture: Dried white beans are ideal here because they absorb the stock and tomato sauce as they cook, creating a fuller stew.
- Paprika controls the warmth: Sweet paprika keeps the flavour mellow, while hot paprika gives the stew a warmer, spicier edge.
- Balance the tomato base: Taste at the end and adjust the seasoning so the tomato tang feels rounded rather than sharp.
Make-ahead tips
- Good the next day: The stew often tastes fuller after resting, as the beans absorb more of the spiced tomato sauce.
- Reheat gently: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of vegetable stock if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Freezer-friendly: Cool completely before freezing, then defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.
Serving ideas
- Serve with bread: Crusty bread is the simplest pairing, useful for scooping up the thick tomato sauce.
- Add freshness: A little fresh parsley or coriander can brighten the stew just before serving.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the dried white beans in a colander, then tip into a large pot and cover with plenty of cold water. Bring to the boil, boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse again.
- Return the beans to the pot and add the vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 35 to 45 minutes until the beans are tender but still holding their shape.
- Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the yellow onion. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
- Stir the olive oil into the pot with the beans, then add the onion and cook over a gentle heat for 8 to 10 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the ground cumin and sweet paprika for 30 seconds, then mix in the tomato purée. Add the canned chopped tomatoes, fine sea salt and black pepper.
- Simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and clings to the beans. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more fine sea salt and black pepper if needed, then serve hot with bread.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- Keep the stew at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the beans stay intact and the sauce thickens naturally.
- If the sauce reduces too quickly, add a splash of vegetable stock and continue simmering until glossy and spoonable.
- For best texture, let the stew stand off the heat for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles and thickens slightly.
Substitutions
- Replace the canned chopped tomatoes with canned whole peeled tomatoes, crushing them into the pot as they go in.
- Replace the sweet paprika with hot paprika for a warmer, spicier finish.
- Replace the yellow onion with white onion for a slightly sharper base.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of vegetable stock until piping hot; freeze for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 1h 35min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Moroccan
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