Fasolia Recipe (Arabic Bean Stew) (2024)

Fasolia is a Middle Eastern recipe which is mixed with dry beans, beef cubes, 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 ((فاصوليا) is one of my favorite Middle Eastern stew dishes since it is a delicious and it is healthy dish. It is also rich in protein which makes it a vegan-friendly dish if you don't eat meat and yet you are looking for a high protein dish

Back in old days, when we had a family gathering, my grandmother made this Arabic bean beef stew dish. As a half Jordanian & Arab, we serve this dish during a family gathering, Ramadan, and other special occasions.

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 which I will be using both black eyed beans and white beans.

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:

Beef: 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.

Beans: I am using white beans when cooking through the pot and black-eyed beans using the pressure cooker. I am using dry beans instead of canned beans since they taste better.

Coriander Leaves: This is one of the most important ingredients, and without it, you can’t make this Arabic bean stew dish.

Olive Oil: I am using Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Other Ingredients: The rest you need tomato paste, red onion and garlic

Things to do first before cooking

Before you cook the Fasolia, soak the dry beans (blacked eyed or white) in the 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 beans

Type of beans used in this recipe

Traditionally, we commonly use white beans for our Fasolia or Fasolya dish. However, if you can't find this type of beans, you can use red kidney beans or black eyed-beans.

Notes: In this post, there are two ways to cook this recipe: Using a cooking pot and a Pressure cooker. For the cooking pot, I am using white beans while for the pressure cooker I am using the black-eyed beans

Step by Step Instruction using Cooking Pot

To make Fasolia Recipe, you first have to boil the beef and the white beans until it gets soft and tender. They are both boiled in a separate pot, in which the white bean takes 45 minutes, while the beef takes 1 ½ to 2 hours at least.

After that, I remove the beef and the 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 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 before serving.

How to cook Fasolia using Pressure Cooker?

When I am cooking my Arabic bean stew through a pressure cooker, the cooking method is much different than using the cooking pot.

• Pour olive oil into the pressure cooker and then add chopped onion and garlic. Stir to mix
• Next, I add the beef cubes and black-eyed beans. Stir gently before adding the tomato paste.
• Pour water before I close the lid and put the pressure regulator on the pressure cooker. I have it cook for 30 to 35 minutes in low heat to help soften the beef and the beans

• Once done, I remove the pressure regulator to depressurize the pressure cooker before I opened the lid of the pressure cooker.
• Here you will notice the beef and the beans are very soft.
• Lastly, I just add the coriander leaves and give them a quick stir. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestion

This Fasolia recipe is best to serve with any white rice or my Homemade Lebanese Vermicelli Rice. Although it is originally Lebanese, it is popular rice dish among locals in Jordan, Iraq, and other Arab countries.

In addition, I highly recommend that you serve with Middle Eastern Salad such as Arabic Salad, Fattoush or Tabouleh Salad. In Arabian culture, every stew or soup dishes must be served with rice and salad

Variation and Substitution

• If you want to cook the white beans or black-eyed beans faster, you can use the canned bean found in the grocery stores. It will save you time since you don’t need to boil them.
• You can use other types of meat such as chicken or lamb.
• In some countries, they called Black Eyed Bean Stew dish Loubia instead of Fasolia
• If you don't want tomato paste, you can use 2 cups of tomato sauce.

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

I. Can I make this dish vegan friendly?

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

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

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

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

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

IV. Is there any kitchen equipment needed to make this recipe?

If you want to cook the dry bean stew faster, you will need pressure cooker. Alternatively, you can use cooking pot but it will take longer just to soften the beef.

Here are other delicious Jordanian, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern stew or soup recipes you can make at home:

• Beef Bamia Recipe
  
• Galayet Bandora
  
• Chicken Molokhia

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