Delicious Croatian Bean Stew Recipe - Hearty and Authentic

Authentic Croatian Beef recipe — Croatian Bean Stew. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026

4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Delicious Croatian Bean Stew Recipe - Hearty and Authentic

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 1 cup dried white beans (soaked overnight)
  • 1 lb beef chuck (cut into cubes)
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 medium carrot (diced)
  • 1 medium potato (diced)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp bay leaf
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Instructions

6 steps

  1. Prepare the Beans

    Soak the dried white beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse before use.

    Soaking the beans helps them cook faster and makes them easier to digest.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables

    In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and potato. Sauté until softened.

    Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
  3. Brown the Beef

    Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.

    Brown the meat in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot.
  4. Add the Remaining Ingredients

    Stir in the soaked beans, diced tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

    Make sure the ingredients are well combined before moving to the next step.
  5. Simmer the Stew

    Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beans and beef are tender.

    Check occasionally and add more broth if the stew gets too thick.
  6. Serve and Enjoy

    Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle into bowls and enjoy your hearty Croatian bean stew.

    Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Tags: Warming,Soup,Beans

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 4 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 3 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if it has thickened.

What to Serve With

Complete your international meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Steamed rice or crusty bread
🍽️A fresh green salad
🍽️Seasonal roasted vegetables

About This Dish

Delicious Croatian Bean Stew Recipe - Hearty and Authentic is a beloved dish from International cuisine.

International cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors and cooking traditions that reflect the culture and history of the region. This dish is a wonderful example of its distinctive culinary heritage.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 13 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use canned beans. Just skip the soaking step and reduce the cooking time.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories450kcal
Total Fat15gg
Sodium900mgmg
Total Carbohydrates50gg
Dietary Fiber12gg
Total Sugars5gg
Protein30gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CategorySoups