Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme
A comforting traditional stew made with white beans, carrots, and thyme, simmered to perfection for a beige-hued hearty meal. This italian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 70 minutes pairs white beans, vegetable broth, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white beans
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 carrot
- 1 stalk celery
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 diced onion and 1 diced celery stalk, and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried thyme, and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup drained soaked white beans, 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1 diced carrot, and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour, or until beans are tender and the stew has thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep white beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked White Bean Stew with Thyme?
Italian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved how easy this was to make in the slow cooker. The whole house smelled amazing!
- ★★★★★
A new family favorite! Even my kids loved the creamy texture.
- ★★★★★
This stew was the perfect comfort food on a cold evening. The thyme really elevated the beans!
