Turkish Braised White Beans (Restaurant-Style Kuru Fasulye)

Hearty white beans simmered with meat in a rich tomato sauce, restaurant-style — a classic Turkish dish traditionally served with rice pilaf.

Prep time: 20 minutes (+ overnight soaking) · Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes · Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g dried white beans (soaked overnight in water)

• 200 g diced stewing beef or pastırma (Turkish cured beef), cubed

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 tomatoes, grated

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Salt, black pepper

• 5-6 cups hot water

Instructions

1. Drain the soaked beans and start boiling them in plenty of water.

2. In a separate pot, sauté the meat in oil, then add the onion and cook until softened and lightly golden.

3. Add the garlic and tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes.

4. Stir in the grated tomato and cook for 5 minutes.

5. Drain the boiled beans and add them to this mixture.

6. Add hot water and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

7. Simmer over low heat for 45-60 minutes, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.

8. Serve hot with rice pilaf.