Loubia Recipe: Moroccan White Bean Stew with Warm Spices 2026

Loubia is a comforting Moroccan white bean stew that turns a bag of dried beans into something deeply savory and satisfying. Onion, garlic and tomato melt down into a rich base, then cumin, ginger, turmeric, paprika and a touch of cayenne warm it all up.

The only real planning ahead is the soaking: the dried beans need at least 8 hours in plenty of water, so set them the night before and the rest comes together easily. Once they are hydrated, the pot simmers for about an hour until the beans are tender.

Serve it as a main course with crusty bread for soaking up the broth, or spoon it alongside rice or couscous. It is a frugal, plant-based dish that still feels generous and full of flavor.

Ingredients for Loubia

This makes 4 generous main-course servings.

• 400 g dried white beans
• 150 g onion
• 10 g fresh parsley
• 3 garlic cloves
• 350 g tomato
• 30 g olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

How to Make Loubia Step by Step

1. Soak the White Beans

The first thing to do is put the dried white beans in a bowl with plenty of water and let them soak for at least 8 hours so they hydrate fully. This is why it is best to start them the night before you plan to cook.

2. Prep the Aromatics

Finely chop 150 g of onion and 10 g of parsley, and grate 3 garlic cloves and 350 g of tomato, discarding the tomato skin. Keeping everything small helps it melt into the stew.

3. Build the Tomato Base

Set a pot over medium-high heat and add the tomato, garlic, onion and 30 g of olive oil. Stir everything together and cook for 10 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring from time to time.

4. Add the Spices

Next add the parsley along with 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin, ground ginger, turmeric, sweet paprika, salt, ground cayenne and ground black pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly so the spices bloom without scorching.

5. Add the Drained Beans

Add the beans, well drained from their soaking water, and stir them through the sofrito so every bean is coated in the spiced tomato mixture.

6. Add Water and Bring to a Boil

Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about one finger's width, then wait for the liquid to come up to a boil.

7. Simmer for One Hour

As soon as it starts boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 1 hour. Check that the beans are tender and adjust the salt if needed; cooking time can vary with the type of bean and water, so from the 60-minute mark test them and keep going if they need longer.

8. Serve

Ladle the loubia into bowls while hot, with plenty of the spiced broth, and serve as a main course.

Tips for the Best Loubia

Plan the Soaking Ahead

The beans need at least 8 hours in a bowl of water to hydrate, so put them to soak the night before. Skipping this step will leave you with tough beans that take far longer to cook.

Check the Beans as They Cook

Cooking time depends on the type of white bean and the water you use, roughly 60 to 80 minutes. Start checking at the 60-minute mark and keep simmering until they are soft.

Balance the Heat and Salt

The cayenne brings warmth, so taste as you go and adjust it to your liking. Once the beans are tender, taste the broth and correct the salt if necessary before serving.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado