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The Secret to Perfect Turkish-Style Baked Beans

Turkish Style White Beans

A traditional Turkish method for cooking beans that results in tender, flavorful legumes, known for preventing digestive discomfort.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: Turkish
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

For soaking
  • 3 cups 3 cups (600g/21 oz) dried white beans Dried white beans
  • 2 liters 2 liters (8.5 cups) water for soaking
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon salt for soaking
For the sauce
  • 1 medium 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 piece 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 pieces 2 green bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 0.5 cup ½ cup (120ml/4 fl oz) vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • to taste none Salt to taste
  • 1 piece 1 sugar cube or 1 teaspoon sugar To balance acidity
  • 6 cups 6 cups (1.4 liters) water for cooking
  • 0.5 piece ½ lemon Squeezed over beans while cooking

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse 3 cups of dried beans thoroughly in cold water. Place them in a large bowl with 2 liters of cold water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Cover and let soak overnight at room temperature.
Initial Boiling
  1. Drain the soaked beans and transfer to a large pot. Add enough fresh water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
Cooking
  1. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cook for 30-40 minutes until beans are tender but not falling apart. Drain the beans and set aside.
Vegetable Preparation
  1. While beans are cooking, chop 1 onion, 2 green peppers, and 1 red pepper into medium-sized pieces.
Starting the Base
  1. In a clay pot or heavy-bottomed pot, heat ½ cup vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Adding Peppers and Tomato Paste
  1. Add the chopped peppers to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Combining Beans and Seasonings
  1. Add the drained beans to the pot. Squeeze half a lemon over the beans to prevent them from splitting. Season with cumin, black pepper, red pepper flakes, turmeric, and salt to taste. Add 1 sugar cube to balance the acidity.
Simmering
  1. Pour in 6 cups of water, ensuring the beans are well covered. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, then place the lid on top for better heat retention.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes after it reaches a boil. The beans should be creamy and tender with a thick, flavorful sauce.
Final Check
  1. Test a bean by pressing it between your fingers. It should be soft and creamy inside while maintaining its shape.

Notes

This recipe helps avoid bean-related digestive issues through overnight soaking. This method, along with the use of lemon juice, helps maintain the structure of the beans during cooking. Can be stored for up to 5 days in the fridge or frozen for later enjoyment.