Turkish White Bean & Kale Stew with Smoked Paprika

Turkish White Bean & Kale Stew with Smoked Paprika

Mia

This hearty Turkish-inspired white bean and kale stew brings together the rustic flavors of the Mediterranean in one comforting pot. Drawing inspiration from traditional Turkish bean dishes like kuru fasulye, this version incorporates nutrient-dense kale and the warm, smoky depth of Spanish paprika to create a dish that's both nourishing and deeply satisfying. The creamy white beans provide plant-based protein and fiber, while the kale adds vitamins A, C, and K, making this a powerhouse meal that aligns perfectly with Mediterranean Diet principles.

The magic of this stew lies in its simplicity and the way flavors meld together during the gentle simmering process. Aromatic onions and garlic form the foundation, while smoked paprika infuses every spoonful with a subtle smokiness that elevates the humble beans to something extraordinary. A touch of tomato paste adds umami depth, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness with a characteristic Mediterranean flourish.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder requires minimal hands-on time yet delivers maximum flavor and nutrition. The stew actually improves with time, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep or leftovers. Serve it with crusty whole-grain bread for dipping, a drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil, and perhaps a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese if desired. Whether you're feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this Turkish white bean and kale stew proves that healthy eating can be both effortless and utterly delicious.

Nutrition

50 minutes
None servings
285 calories
Fat 8.00g
Carbs 42.00g
Protein 13.00g

Ingredients

3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 largeyellow onion, diced
4 Nonegarlic cloves, minced
2 tspsmoked paprika
1 tspground cumin
1/2 tspred pepper flakes
2 tbsptomato paste
3 cans (15 oz each)cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 cupsvegetable broth, low-sodium
1 bunch (about 8 oz)kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
2 Nonebay leaves
1 tspsalt, or to taste
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 Nonelemon, juiced
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
2 tbspextra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
wooden spoon or spatula
ladle
chef's knife
can opener
citrus juicer
colander
large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven

80/20 Diet

This stew is predominantly composed of nutrient-dense whole foods—beans, kale, vegetables, and olive oil—representing well over 80% of the recipe with wholesome, anti-inflammatory ingredients and minimal processing.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This stew is packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, leafy greens (kale), legumes, and spices like turmeric-adjacent cumin and smoked paprika. It avoids processed foods and refined ingredients while emphasizing whole plant foods rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state—dried beans, fresh kale, vegetables, and pure spices—without any refined sugars, artificial additives, or processed components.

Daniel Fast

This recipe is Daniel Fast-compliant, using only whole plant-based ingredients including legumes, vegetables, and plant oils without any animal products, refined grains, added sweeteners, or processed ingredients. It's a nourishing, biblically-inspired whole food meal.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by using low-sodium vegetable broth, emphasizing legumes and leafy greens rich in potassium and magnesium, and relying on herbs and spices for flavor instead of excessive salt. The beans provide plant-based protein and fiber that support heart health and blood pressure management.

Diabetic Diet

This stew is diabetic-friendly with its low glycemic index beans, high fiber content from legumes and kale, and balanced macronutrients that support stable blood sugar levels. The complex carbohydrates are paired with protein and healthy fats for optimal glucose control.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe exemplifies flexitarian eating by centering entirely on plant-based ingredients—beans, kale, and vegetables—while providing substantial protein and nutrients without any animal products, making it perfect as a meatless main dish.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only whole food ingredients like beans, vegetables, and spices without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing additives. It's a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten while providing complete nutrition.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is excellent for heart health, featuring cholesterol-free plant proteins, fiber-rich beans that help lower cholesterol, potassium-rich kale, and heart-protective extra virgin olive oil while avoiding saturated fats, processed meats, and excessive sodium.

High-Fiber Diet

This recipe is exceptionally high in dietary fiber, with cannellini beans and kale providing substantial amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber that support digestive health, satiety, and stable blood sugar levels—easily delivering 8-10g of fiber per serving.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense stew is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from high-fiber beans, protein-rich legumes, and complex carbohydrates that support stable blood sugar levels and satiety throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying stew honors both nutrition and pleasure, featuring nourishing whole foods like beans and kale while delivering rich, comforting flavors from smoked paprika and olive oil. It's a balanced, filling meal that supports satisfaction without restriction or food rules.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This stew aligns with Mayo Clinic Diet principles by emphasizing vegetables, legumes, and whole foods while using olive oil as a healthy fat source. It's nutrient-dense, high in fiber, and free from refined grains and processed ingredients, supporting sustainable weight management.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its foundation of extra virgin olive oil, legumes (cannellini beans), abundant vegetables (kale), and aromatic herbs and spices. It avoids processed ingredients and red meat while emphasizing plant-based proteins, whole foods, and heart-healthy fats characteristic of this eating pattern.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with MIND Diet staples including leafy greens (kale), beans, olive oil as the primary fat, and abundant vegetables. It avoids red meat, butter, and processed foods while emphasizing anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective ingredients.

Mindful Eating

This recipe supports mindful eating with its variety of textures (creamy beans, tender kale), vibrant colors, and aromatic spices that engage multiple senses. The whole food ingredients and slow-simmered preparation encourage conscious, sensory appreciation of the meal.

Pegan Diet

This stew aligns with Pegan principles by centering on vegetables (kale) and using legumes in appropriate portions (about 3/4 cup per serving), healthy fats from olive oil, and avoiding all dairy, gluten, and processed ingredients while emphasizing anti-inflammatory whole foods.

Plant-Based Diet

This recipe is entirely plant-based, featuring protein-rich cannellini beans, nutrient-dense kale, and whole food ingredients without any animal products. It provides complete nutrition through legumes, vegetables, and healthy plant oils while being naturally high in fiber and phytonutrients.

Vegan Diet

This stew is completely vegan, containing no animal products or by-products. It provides plant-based protein from cannellini beans, iron and calcium from kale, and healthy fats from olive oil, making it a nutritionally complete and satisfying vegan meal.

Vegetarian Diet

This hearty vegetarian stew provides excellent plant-based protein from cannellini beans and is rich in vitamins from kale, making it a nutritionally complete meat-free meal that's both satisfying and nourishing.

Weight Watchers

This stew is Weight Watchers-friendly with its emphasis on plant-based protein from beans, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The nutrient-dense, high-fiber ingredients promote satiety while keeping the dish light and supportive of weight management goals.

Instructions

1
2 min

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.

2
6 min

Add the diced onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

3
1 min

Add the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4
2 min

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.

5

Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot, stirring to coat them with the aromatic mixture.

6

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaves. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

7
15 min

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8

Add the chopped kale to the pot, stirring it into the stew. The kale will seem like a lot at first but will wilt down significantly.

9
10 min

Continue simmering for another 10 minutes until the kale is tender and the flavors have melded together. The stew should be thick and creamy.

10

Remove the bay leaves and discard them. Season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste.

11

Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. The acidity will brighten all the flavors.

12

Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions