The Ultimate One-Pot White Bean and Chorizo Stew: A Year-Round Comfort Favorite

Welcome to a recipe that redefines comfort food! This incredible White Bean and Chorizo Stew is more than just a meal; it’s a warm embrace in a bowl, perfect for any time of the year. While many associate hearty stews with chilly evenings, this vibrant and flavorful dish proves that comforting cuisine knows no season. It’s wonderfully easy to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and packed with robust flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to discover your new go-to weeknight dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes, all in a single pot!

My culinary journey with this particular stew began back in 2013, tucked away in the pages of a Bon Appetit magazine issue. From the very first spoonful, it secured its place as one of my all-time favorite stew recipes. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel nourished and content, offering a delightful blend of smoky chorizo, creamy white beans, and fresh spinach.

What truly solidifies this recipe’s legendary status in my household is its ability to win over even the toughest critics. My husband, Tom, is famously particular about his food. Anything green, especially if it’s “good for you,” typically triggers an immediate red flag for him. So, imagine my surprise – or rather, shock! – when he not only ate every bite but enthusiastically went back for more, despite the generous amount of spinach hidden within. There were no tell-tale signs of reluctance, no prolonged chewing marathons that usually precede a reluctant swallow. Just pure, unadulterated enjoyment. That, my friends, is a testament to how truly delicious this White Bean and Chorizo Stew is.

Why This White Bean and Chorizo Stew Will Become Your New Favorite

This isn’t just another stew recipe; it’s a culinary triumph for several compelling reasons. From its impressive nutritional profile to its incredible convenience, this dish ticks all the boxes for a perfect meal.

1. Effortless & Quick: Perfect for Busy Weeknights

In today’s fast-paced world, quick and easy recipes are invaluable. This White Bean and Chorizo Stew shines in its simplicity. You can have a wholesome, flavorful meal on your table in under 45 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is a luxury. The minimal effort required doesn’t compromise on flavor; in fact, the ingredients work harmoniously to create a rich, complex taste with surprisingly little fuss.

2. The Magic of One-Pot Cooking

Who doesn’t love less cleanup? This stew is a true one-pot wonder, meaning all the cooking happens in a single pot or Dutch oven. This not only streamlines the cooking process but also significantly reduces the post-dinner dish-washing chore. Spend less time scrubbing and more time savoring this delightful meal with your loved ones.

3. Healthy, Hearty & Inexpensive

This stew is a nutritional powerhouse without breaking the bank. It’s brimming with wholesome ingredients like protein-rich cannellini beans, nutrient-dense spinach, and aromatic onions and garlic. These ingredients provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to a balanced diet. The addition of flavorful chorizo ensures a satisfyingly hearty meal that feels indulgent yet remains budget-friendly. It’s a win-win-win: healthy, hearty, and economical!

4. A Burst of Flavor in Every Spoonful

The combination of Mexican chorizo with smoky Spanish paprika creates an unparalleled depth of flavor. The chorizo offers a delicious savory kick, while the paprika infuses the stew with its signature warmth and earthy notes. Paired with the creamy beans, tender spinach, and fragrant thyme, every spoonful is a delightful symphony of tastes and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Stew

The beauty of this stew lies in its simple yet powerful ingredient list. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dish.

Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing, adding a smooth richness.
Mexican Chorizo Links: The star of the show, providing a spicy, savory depth. We recommend removing the meat from the casings for crumbling, which allows for more even distribution of flavor and texture throughout the stew.
Onion & Garlic Cloves: Essential aromatics that build the savory base of the stew.
Fresh Thyme Sprigs: Adds an earthy, herbaceous note that complements the other flavors beautifully. Fresh herbs always make a difference!
Canned Cannellini Beans: These creamy white beans are perfect for absorbing flavors and adding body to the stew. They also contribute a significant amount of plant-based protein and fiber.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The liquid base that brings everything together. Using low-sodium allows you to control the overall saltiness.
Smoked Paprika (Spanish): This is crucial for that characteristic smoky depth and a beautiful reddish hue. Don’t confuse it with regular paprika; smoked paprika offers a far more complex flavor profile.
Kosher Salt and Pepper: To taste, essential for seasoning and enhancing all the individual flavors.
Baby Spinach Leaves: A fantastic addition for color, nutrients, and a touch of freshness. It wilts down perfectly into the stew, making it an easy way to boost your daily vegetable intake. Even picky eaters will barely notice it!

Mastering the Method: Step-By-Step Instructions for Your Stew

Creating this delightful White Bean and Chorizo Stew is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect, hearty meal every time.

Cook the Chorizo: Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chorizo, which you’ve already removed from its casings and crumbled. Cook the chorizo for about 7-8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns, until it’s fully cooked through and wonderfully aromatic. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chorizo to a plate, leaving behind any rendered fat in the pot. Set the cooked chorizo aside. This step not only cooks the chorizo but also infuses the pot with its delicious, spicy flavor, which will become the foundation of your stew.
Sauté Aromatics & Build the Base: In the same pot, with the flavorful chorizo drippings, add the remaining olive oil, along with the sliced onions, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs. Sauté these ingredients for approximately 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant. This step is crucial for building a deep, aromatic flavor base for your stew.
Simmer the Beans and Broth: Next, add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and the low-sodium chicken broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to warm through.
Thicken and Season: To achieve a wonderfully creamy consistency, gently crush some of the cannellini beans against the side of the pot with the back of your spoon. This naturally thickens the broth without needing additional flour or cornstarch. Stir in the Spanish smoked paprika and season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Add Spinach and Chorizo: Now it’s time for the vibrant baby spinach. Add the spinach leaves to the stew a handful at a time, stirring until each batch wilts down. This usually takes about 2 minutes in total. Once the spinach has softened, return the cooked chorizo to the pot, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
Adjust Consistency & Serve: If you prefer a thinner stew, you can add a little more water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings one last time if needed. Serve your hot White Bean and Chorizo Stew immediately in deep bowls. It pairs perfectly with a slice of warm, crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful broth.

This dish truly epitomizes convenience without compromise. It’s not only inexpensive but also incredibly quick and simple to prepare, making it my go-to “quick fix” dinner on nights when I’m running behind. The joy of only needing one pot means minimal cleanup – it’s a dream come true for any home cook. Forget the complicated recipes; this delicious, hearty, and easy stew will be on your table in under 45 minutes, ready to delight!

Cook’s Notes & Expert Tips for the Best White Bean & Chorizo Stew

A few insights from my own experience with this recipe can help you achieve perfection every time.

Chorizo Preparation: Crumbled vs. Sliced

When I initially made this recipe years ago, I cooked the chorizo links whole in a skillet and then sliced them before adding them to the stew. However, through trial and error, I’ve discovered a superior method. I now highly recommend removing the chorizo meat from its casings, crumbling it, and then cooking it until browned. Adding the crumbled chorizo directly to the stew results in a far more integrated flavor and texture. It’s much easier to eat, eliminating the need for a knife and fork to cut individual pieces, and ensures you get that delicious chorizo in every single spoonful.

Adjusting Consistency

As this hearty stew sits, the cannellini beans will naturally continue to absorb liquid, potentially thickening it more than desired. Don’t hesitate to adjust! Simply add a little more low-sodium chicken broth or even a splash of water until you reach your preferred consistency. This stew is quite forgiving, so feel free to personalize it to your liking.

Serving Suggestions

While fantastic on its own, this stew truly shines when served with a few simple accompaniments. A crusty loaf of bread is essential for mopping up every last bit of the rich broth. You could also serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or with a side of warm cornbread for an extra layer of comfort. A garnish of fresh parsley or cilantro can add a burst of color and freshness.

Storage and Reheating

This White Bean and Chorizo Stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a little extra broth or water if it has thickened too much. It’s also freezer-friendly; store in individual portions for quick, comforting meals whenever you need them.

I genuinely hope you give this exceptional White Bean and Chorizo Stew a try. It’s a recipe that brings joy and warmth to any table, and I’m confident it will become a cherished staple in your home too. If you do make it, please let me know your thoughts or any questions you might have by dropping a comment below! Happy cooking!

More Delicious Comfort Food Recipes to Enjoy

Crazy Good Mac N’ Cheese

Greek Style Hamburger Helper

Beer-Braised BBQ Chuck Roast

White Bean and Chorizo Stew

Author:
Mary Ann Dwyer

Servings:

4
servings

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This White Bean and Chorizo Stew is a hearty, comforting dish that is a tasty lunch or dinner option for any season of the year, but especially comfort food season! It’s super easy to whip up too!

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. Mexican chorizo links, meat removed from the casings
1 large yellow onion, sliced, then roughly chopped
3-4 large garlic cloves minced
2 sprigs thyme
2 15 ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 14.5-oz. cans low-sodium chicken broth, fat free
3/4 tsp. Spanish smoked paprika
kosher salt and pepper, to taste
1 5-oz. bag baby spinach leaves, stems trimmed

Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven heat 1Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add chorizo, crumbling with a wooden spoon as it cooks for about 7-8 minutes until cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Set aside.
In the same pot heat the remaining olive oil with the onions, garlic and thyme sprigs for about 7 minutes, stirring often. Next, add the beans and the broth. Cook for 8-10 minutes. To thicken the broth, crush some of the beans with the back of a spoon. Add the paprika and season with salt and pepper. Add the spinach a handful at a time and cook for about 2 minutes until wilted. Add the chorizo to the stew. If you want to thin out the stew add a little water or more broth. Serve in bowls. I like to serve mine with a nice crusty bread.

Notes

When I first made this recipe, I cooked the chorizo links in a skillet and then added it to the stew in slices. This time I decided to remove the chorizo from the casings, crumble and cook it in a skillet until cooked through and then add it to the stew. I thought it was easier to eat this way. No need for a knife and fork to cut individual pieces of chorizo. Plus there’s more in every spoonful.

As the stew sits it will soak up more of the liquid, so you can just add more broth or water to get it to the consistency you desire.

Nutrition

Keyword:
cannellini beans, Comfort Food, Mexican chorizo, stew

Cuisine:
American, Mexican

Course:
Main Dish, Soup

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Adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine