Etli Kuru Fasulye – Stewed White Beans

Much like the Turkish green beans (yeşil fasulye) recipe I posted a couple weeks ago, this is another fasulye (beans) dish that is one of my Turkish husband’s favorites. It’s also fast, cheap and healthy. My favorite combo!

Kuru fasulye is a very common dish in Turkish households that may vary from home-to-home. My husband’s family is from Eastern Turkey so this version stands true to their preferences.

Kuru means “dry,” and is made with white beans. I typically buy dry beans and prepare them in the pressure cooker but you can use canned beans or cook them on the stovetop — whatever is your preference. “Etli” means “with meat,” so you can choose to make this vegetarian as well and just skip the meat.

As I have mentioned before, pepper paste can typically be found in most mediterranean grocery markets. However, you can always sub tomato paste and add a little red pepper (if you like a little spice).

Here is what you need:

• 1 lb beef (stew meat is fine)
• 1 medium onion
• 1 28 oz can of tomatoes
• 1 tbsp pepper paste
• 1 cubanelle pepper
• 1 cup of dried white northern beans, or 2 15 oz cans
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
• 2 cups water

Put a medium-large sized pan on medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil followed by meat. Cook until just browned, then add onions and peppers. 

Let cook for another 2 minutes, then add tomatoes, salt & pepper but do not mix. 

Break up the pepper paste into small chunks and add on top, followed by the beans and again, do not mix. Finally, add in the water.

Cooking in these layers lets the meat stay on the bottom where it can become tender cooking in the juices, while the beans will not become too mushy.

When it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium. Let cook for another 20-25 minutes. The beans and pepper paste will slowly sink into the tomato and the beef will become soft. 

Serve with a side of rice or with a slice of bread. I hope you enjoy! Afiyet olsun.

Print Recipe

Kuru Fasulye - Stewed White Beans

Dinner – Mediterranean

By Janice Yucel – Serves: 6

Prep Time: 5 Minutes – Cooking Time: 25 Minutes – Total Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef (stew meat is fine)
• 1 medium onion
• 1 28 oz canned of canned tomatoes
• 1 tbsp pepper paste
• 1 cubanelle pepper
• 1 cup of dried white northern beans, or 2 15 oz cans
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
• 2 cups water

Instructions

1

Put a medium-large sized pan on medium-high heat.

2

When hot, add olive oil followed by meat.

3

Cook until just browned, then add onions and peppers. 

4

Let cook for another 2 minutes, then add tomatoes, salt & pepper but do not mix. 

5

Break up the pepper paste into small chunks and add on top, followed by the beans and again, do not mix.

6

Finally, add in the water.

7

When it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium.

8

Let cook for another 20-25 minutes.

9

Serve with a side of rice or with a slice of bread.