Alubias con Almejas: Spanish Bean and Clam Stew, Comforting (63) 2026

Alubias con almejas is a classic Spanish spoon dish that proves hearty comfort food does not have to be heavy. Tender white beans simmer in fish broth until creamy, then meet briny clams, saffron and a slow-cooked sofrito for a stew that is light yet packed with flavor.

It is the kind of dish that rewards a little patience: the beans need time to soften, and the sofrito needs time to sweeten, but both can happen at once. The clams are opened separately so any sand stays out of the pot, and they go in at the very end so they stay plump and tender.

Ingredients for Alubias con Almejas

For 4 servings

• 400 g dried white beans
• 400 g clams
• 1.5 liters fish broth
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 onion
• 1 Italian green pepper
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• A few strands of saffron
• 1 glass white wine
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt
• 1 sprig fresh parsley

How to Make Alubias con Almejas Step by Step

1. Soak the beans and clams

The night before, soak 400 g of dried beans in plenty of water. When you are ready to start the recipe, soak 400 g of clams in salted water and keep them in the refrigerator until needed.

2. Simmer the beans in broth

Drain the soaked beans and place them in a wide pot. Cover with 1.5 liters of fish broth (or water if you do not have it) and bring to medium heat. Cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, until the beans are very tender.

3. Chop the vegetables

While the beans cook, start the sofrito by finely chopping 1 garlic clove and 1 onion. Also cut 1 Italian green pepper into small squares.

4. Fry the sofrito

In a skillet, heat 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and brown the onion and garlic. When they begin to take on color, add the pepper and continue frying until the vegetables are tender.

5. Add the saffron

Add a few strands of saffron to the sofrito and stir for 1 minute so it blends in and releases its aroma.

6. Stir the sofrito into the beans

Add the sofrito to the pot where the beans are cooking and continue cooking as long as needed until they are just right. From time to time, you can take the pot by the handles and give it a circular swirl, but avoid stirring with a spoon so the beans do not break.

7. Drain the clams

Drain the clams that have been soaking in cold salted water.

8. Open the clams

In a shallow pot or wide skillet, pour 1 glass of white wine and add 1 bay leaf, then bring to high heat. When it is very hot, add the clams and cover. Wait about 2 to 3 minutes until they all open, then uncover and transfer them to a plate.

9. Add the clams and their juices

Check that the beans are cooked through, then add the clams and their strained cooking juices. Bring back to a very brief boil and adjust the salt.

10. Finish with parsley and serve

Finish the stew with a little chopped fresh parsley and serve.

Tips for the Best Alubias con Almejas

Watch the bean cooking time

Using good-quality ingredients gives a great result with little effort. The time the beans need to become tender depends on how long they have been harvested and on the hardness of the water, so start checking early and taste as you go.

Open the clams separately

It is worth opening the clams in their own pan in case they carry sand that could ruin the whole stew. Adding them at the end also keeps them from overcooking.

Give the sofrito time, or take a shortcut

A sofrito made slowly and with care is key, as in all dishes of this kind, and there is plenty of time to devote to it while the beans cook. If you want an express version, good-quality canned beans will save you the wait.

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