Pin it Budget Fabada Asturiana is a classic Spanish stew that celebrates humble ingredients with big flavor. Creamy white beans simmer slowly with smoky chorizo, savory pork belly, and the deep richness of morcilla. This hearty dish brings warmth and comfort, perfect for sharing on a cool evening without stretching your grocery budget.
Pin it With just a bit of preparation and patience, you can master this authentic Fabada. The combination of smoked paprika and cured sausages infuses the beans with smoky warmth, making every spoonful deeply satisfying and nostalgic of Spanish home cooking.
Ingredients
- 400 g (2 cups) dried white beans (such as cannellini or great northern), soaked overnight
- 1 bay leaf
- 100 g (3.5 oz) pork belly or unsmoked bacon, cut into chunks
- 150 g (5 oz) chorizo sausage, sliced
- 100 g (3.5 oz) morcilla (Spanish blood sausage) or substitute with black pudding, sliced
- 1 medium onion, peeled and halved
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut in large chunks
- 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika (pimentón)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1.5 liters (6 cups) cold water
Instructions
- 1. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
- Place them in a large pot with the bay leaf and cover with 1.5 liters (6 cups) cold water.
- 2. Add the pork belly, chorizo, morcilla, onion, garlic, and carrot to the pot.
- 3. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, skimming off any foam.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- 4. Remove the onion, garlic, and carrot.
- Discard the bay leaf.
- 5. In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the paprika and stir for 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into the stew and stir well.
- 6. Season with salt and pepper.
- Continue simmering uncovered for another 30–45 minutes, or until beans are tender and stew is thickened. Add more water if needed.
- 7. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot, ensuring each portion has some beans, sausage, and pork.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Using affordable sausages like local chorizo keeps the stew budget-friendly. Soaking beans overnight shortens cooking time and improves texture. Skimming foam during the initial boil results in a clearer, cleaner broth. Adjust water levels during the final simmer to get the perfect thickness.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a vegetarian version, omit all meats and increase vegetables while maintaining smoked paprika to preserve the classic smoky flavor. You can skip morcilla if unavailable, or replace it with another blood sausage or black pudding. Feel free to use unsmoked bacon as a milder pork option.
Serviervorschläge
Serve Budget Fabada Asturiana piping hot with crusty bread to soak up the rich broth. A simple green salad provides a fresh contrast to the hearty stew. This dish dining style shines in cozy family meals or casual gatherings with friends.
Pin it Budget Fabada Asturiana offers a delicious way to experience the heart of Spanish comfort cuisine. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s a stew that will keep you coming back for more, especially on chillier days when nothing else will do.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of beans are best for Fabada Asturiana?
Dried white beans such as cannellini or great northern work best when soaked overnight to achieve the creamy texture traditional to the stew.
- → Can I substitute the meats in this dish?
Yes, you can use different smoked sausages or bacon. For a vegetarian option, omit the meats and enhance flavor with smoked paprika and extra vegetables.
- → How long should the stew simmer for best results?
Simmer the stew for about 1 hour covered, then an additional 30–45 minutes uncovered to thicken and fully cook the beans until tender.
- → What spices bring authentic flavor to this stew?
Sweet smoked paprika (pimentón) is essential for adding the stew’s signature smoky depth, balanced with salt and pepper to taste.
- → Is this dish suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, as long as the sausages used are gluten-free, this dish naturally fits gluten-free dietary needs.
- → What is a good accompaniment for this hearty stew?
Serve with crusty bread and a simple green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.