Kafana-Style Pasulj

Serbia's soul-food bean stew — slow-simmered white beans with smoked pasture-raised pork, sweet paprika, and a sofrito base that deepens for hours into something much greater than its parts.

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Ingredients

  • 500g dry white beans (cannellini or great northern), soaked overnight
  • 350g pasture-raised smoked pork ribs or smoked pork neck
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste (no added sugar)
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1.5 litres water or unsalted pork or chicken bone broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for serving)

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Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set aside.
  2. Heat avocado oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery until softened and lightly golden, 10–12 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Add tomato paste, sweet paprika, and smoked paprika. Stir and cook 2 minutes to bloom the spices in the oil.
  4. Add the soaked beans, smoked pork, water or broth, bay leaf, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Do not add salt yet — it toughens beans before they're tender.
  5. Simmer covered for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are completely tender and starting to break apart slightly. The pork should be falling off the bone.
  6. Remove the smoked pork. Pull the meat from the bones, shred or chop, and return it to the pot. Discard the bones and bay leaf.
  7. Season with sea salt to taste. If the stew is too thin, continue simmering uncovered 15–20 minutes to reduce. If too thick, add a splash of water.
  8. Serve hot in deep bowls with crusty bread or lepinja. Garnish with chopped parsley. Pasulj is always better the next day.

FAQ

Can I use canned beans instead of soaking dry ones overnight?

Yes, you can use canned beans, but be sure to drain and rinse them thoroughly. Soaking dry beans does result in a fresher texture and more nutrient absorption.

What if I don't have pasture-raised meat options?

If pasture-raised options aren't available, look for organic or grass-fed meats as the next best choice to maintain the integrity of your clean-eating diet.

Can I use sunflower oil instead of avocado oil?

While sunflower oil is relatively neutral in flavor, it's still a seed oil. Avocado oil is cleaner and more nutrient-dense, making it the preferred choice in this recipe.

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