Cozy Braised White Beans with Garlic and Rosemary

Ingredients

Fresh rosemary is my favorite hearty herb and pairs perfectly with many white bean recipes. We use it in this Easy Rosemary White Bean Dip as well!

Fresh garlic lends flavor and a sharper bite that cuts through the creamy beans and olive oil

Cannellini beans are hearty and naturally very creamy. Other bean types could work, such as Royal Coronas or large white lima beans. I do not recommend chickpeas as they tend to stay fairly firm

Cashew parmesan adds a savory note that is slightly cheesy. This is a perfect topper when serving with some crusty bread!

How to Make Braised White Beans

garlic and rosemary with olive oil in a skillet

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add rosemary, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Let brown for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add white beans and simmer until thick, about 8 minutes.

Step 3: Mash down beans with a fork and remove rosemary sprigs.

Step 3 continued: Season with nutmeg and black pepper.

stirring a pot of braised white beans with a wooden spoon

Step 4: Stir and mash beans, then remove from the heat.

Step 5: Add lemon juice and serve with cashew parmesan and crusty bread.

Ways to Customize Braised White Beans

My favorite beans are cannellini (also known as white kidney beans), but Navy or Great Northern beans would also work well. These white beans are very naturally creamy and well-suited for braising. Chickpeas and black-eyed peas are a bit firmer but could be included as mix-ins if that's what you have available.

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Other hearty winter herbs such as sage and thyme could be nice additions alongside the rosemary.

The dry white wine we're using is for an added depth of flavor (the alcohol cooks off). If you do not have this on hand, some additional lemon juice will help brighten things up. Vegetable broth is something I never have but that could be useful also. Feel free to just skip it.

To make this into a meal-prepable option, I like to pack it with a bunch of kale for a lunch-worthy salad. When heated in the microwave, the kale steams itself a bit and does not require dressing. Something like arugula would also be a nice contrast!

hand dipping bread into a pot of braised white beans

Recipe FAQs

Are white beans the same as cannellini beans?

Cannellini beans are a type of white bean. There are many kinds of "white" beans, which are part of a family of legumes that include navy beans, kidney beans (cannellini), lima beans, and "Great Northern" beans. They are all notable for having starchy interiors with thin white casings.

What does it mean to braise beans?

A common method for preparing meats, to braise is to slowly simmer an ingredient within cooking liquid (sometimes after searing). It is similar to stewing but includes a bit less liquid.

Should you rinse white beans from a can before using them?

Typically, yes. Rinsing white beans from a can remove excess salt, which helps regulate other flavors in a dish. This recipe was designed to utilize a bit of extra salt from one can of bean liquid, but it will also work with homemade beans.

More White Bean Recipes

I hope you love this recipe for easy braised white beans! Please be sure to leave a comment with a rating if you give it a try. I love seeing what readers think of each recipe, and what customizations you include.

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