Hearty Vegetable Bean Stew (Printable)
Comforting stew rich in vegetables, beans, and herbs, perfect for a warm, satisfying meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Legumes
10 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
11 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Liquids
12 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Herbs & Spices
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# How-to Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Add sliced carrots, celery, and diced potatoes to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in diced red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with their juice, drained beans, vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
07 - Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- It clears out your vegetable drawer and somehow tastes better for it.
- The broth gets rich and almost creamy from the potatoes breaking down without any dairy.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have really settled in.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the canned beans, the liquid they come in can make the stew taste flat and starchy.
- Let the stew sit for ten minutes off the heat before serving, the flavors settle and the broth thickens just a bit.
03 -
- Taste the broth before you add salt, sometimes the canned tomatoes and broth have enough on their own.
- If you want a thicker stew, mash a few of the potatoes against the side of the pot with your spoon.