Michirones Murcianos: Hearty Spanish Bean Stew with Paprika (59) 2026

Michirones murcianos is a rustic, deeply savory stew from the Region of Murcia, built around dried broad beans and a generous mix of chorizo, fresh pancetta and ham. It is the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with a warm, smoky aroma while it bubbles away, promising a hearty meal at the end.

The beans soak up the rich, paprika-tinted broth, turning soft and creamy, while the meats lend their salt and depth. A head of garlic and a few bay leaves round out the flavor, and a long, gentle simmer brings everything together.

Serve it with crusty bread to mop up every last drop, and let the stew rest for half an hour before digging in — the flavors only get better. It is a true taste of Murcian home cooking, simple and satisfying.

Ingredients for Michirones Murcianos

For 6 servings

• 500 g dried broad beans
• 2 chorizos
• 300 g fresh pancetta (in 2 slices)
• 200 g ham tip
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• Salt
• 3 bay leaves

How to Make Michirones Murcianos Step by Step

1. Soak the dried beans

To ensure the dried beans become tender in the stew, you need to soak them for 24 hours, changing the water at least twice. If using fresh beans — whether frozen or in season — no soaking is needed and the cooking time is considerably reduced.

2. Cut the meats

When you are ready to start the stew, cut 2 chorizos and 300 g of fresh pancetta into similar-sized pieces and set aside. The chorizo can be sweet or spicy, depending on your taste; for heat lovers, a little cayenne or chili can be added too.

3. Drain the beans and add to the pot

Drain the soaked beans and rinse them under cold running water. Place them in a pot and arrange the chorizo, pancetta and 200 g of ham tip on top. This stew can be made by starting with a sofrito of onion and garlic, but here we use all raw ingredients for a lighter broth.

4. Add the seasonings

Add 1 head of garlic cut in half, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika and a little salt. Do not add too much salt at this point — it is better to adjust the seasoning near the end. Also add 3 bay leaves.

5. Cover with water

Pour in enough water to cover all the ingredients. The beans will absorb a lot of liquid, so make sure they are well submerged.

6. Bring to a boil and skim

Cook over high heat until the mixture starts to boil, then skim off the foam that forms on the surface. This helps keep the broth clear and clean-tasting.

7. Simmer the stew

Lower the heat and cover the pot. Let the stew cook gently for 3 hours, until the beans are completely tender and the meats have flavored the broth.

8. Check doneness and rest before serving

After this time, check that the beans are properly cooked. Taste the stew and adjust the salt if needed. Before serving, let the michirones rest for 30 minutes so the flavors settle; alternatively, cool and serve the next day, when it will have gained even more flavor.

Tips for the Best Michirones Murcianos

Soaking matters

Dried beans need a full 24 hours of soaking, with at least two water changes, to soften properly and cook evenly. If you use fresh or frozen broad beans, skip the soak and reduce the cooking time significantly.

Choose your chorizo

The chorizo can be sweet or spicy — pick according to your preference. For extra heat, some cooks add a guindilla or cayenne pepper along with the paprika and bay leaves.

Season at the end

Go easy on the salt when you first add it, since the cured meats are already salty. Taste and adjust just before the stew finishes, and let it rest for 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. 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, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are 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 a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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