Fasolia Recipe (Arabic White Bean Stew)

Fasolia (فاصوليا) is a Middle Eastern recipe which is mixed with white beans, beef cut, coriander leaves, and tomato sauce. It is a popular Arabic beef stew dish in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq which is best served with rice.

Fasolia Recipe mixed with White beans and boneless beef cubes served on a rice in a plate

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Recipe Ingredients
Things to do first before cooking
Cooking Instruction
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Other Middle Eastern Recipes
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When I lived in Middle East for more than 18 years, I have tried many delicious foods, which I find it one of the best in the world. I find their food unique since they are rich in spices, it is flavorful and delicious.

Back in old days, when we had a family gathering, my grandmother made this white bean beef stew dish. It is one of the best Arabic foods I have tried in my life which is best served with rice and salad. As a half Jordanian & Arab, we serve this dish during a family gathering, Ramadan, and other special occasions.

Although my grandmother passed away, she shared this recipe with my mother, which I learned from her. Most of the Middle Eastern recipes I learned come from my grandmother. And in the post, I will be sharing with you how to make an authentic Middle Eastern Beef with Fasolia recipe

Recipe Ingredients

In this recipe, I am using fewer spices compared to other Middle Eastern recipes I made. Here are the ingredients of my grandmother’s fasolia recipe:

Firstly, I am using boneless beef cubes, which I simmer for few hours or till they get soft and tender. You can use other types of beef cuts if you like.

Secondly, I am using fresh coriander leaves and dry white beans for this recipe. You can use any kinds of white bean you like. These two are the most important ingredients, and without them, you can’t make this Arabic white bean stew dish.

Lastly, other ingredients I use include olive oil, tomato paste, black pepper, onion, garlic, and curry powder.

Things to do first before cooking

Before you cook the Fasolia, soak the dry white beans in water overnight. It will help makes it soft, which will reduce the cooking time when boiling the beans

Also, make sure you have a cooking pot, where you will be using to boil the meat and the white beans

Cooking Instruction

To make Fasolia Recipe, you first have to boil the beef and the white beans until it gets soft and tender. They are both boil in a separate pot, in which the white bean takes 45 minutes, while the beef takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours at least.

After that, I remove the beef and the white bean from the pots and transfer each of them into a large bowl.

In a different pot, I add olive oil and then chopped garlic and onion. Stir for few minutes till they both look transparent and cooked.

Next, I add the beef cut and curry powder, and then I continue stirring for a minute. Add water and the remaining beef broth; that I used to boil the meat, and the cooked white beans. Stir to mix.

When it started to boil, lower the fire to low heat and add tomato paste and coriander leaves. Stir to combine and then let it cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes with the lid covered. Add salt and black pepper for taste.

Once done, serve with rice and salad. I recommend vermicelli rice and any Middle Eastern salads like Fattoush or Tabouleh Salad

Fasolia recipe tomato red stew with white beans and beef cubes on a bowl.

Notes: If you have a pressure cooker, you can put the white beans and the beef cubes together, which takes only an hour. It is much faster than using in the cooking pot.

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

I. Can I make this dish vegan friendly?

Yes, you can remove the beef and just white beans in this recipe. You can add chopped potatoes or carrots if you like. It will make your dish purely vegan.

II. Are there other ways I can cook the white bean faster?

If you don’t want to boil the white beans, you can use the canned white bean found in the grocery stores. It will save your time since you don’t need to boil the bean.

III. Will there be any difference between canned or dry white beans?

In terms of taste, they are both the same. However, the dry white beans are healthier since their nutrients are still there. On the other hand, canned white beans are processed, which might have fewer nutrients.

IV. What do I serve this Fasolia recipe with?

Traditionally in the Middle East, we serve this dish with salads and Arabic rice. This recipe is best to serve with Arabic Salad and Lebanese Vermicelli Rice. Although it is originally Lebanese, it is popular rice dish among locals in Jordan, Iraq, and other Arab countries.

V. What other meats I can use in this recipe?

Aside from beef, we can use chicken or lamb. These three kinds of meats are eaten among locals, including myself, in the Middle Eastern and Arab countries.

VI. How long can this be stored in the refrigerator?

This recipe can last in the fridge for up to 5 to 7 days.

Other Middle Eastern Recipes

Here are other delicious Jordanian, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern Beef recipes you can try at home:

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