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The Recipe · No.310 · Fabada Asturiana

Fabada Asturiana, and where to source it

Fabada Asturiana — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Fabada Asturiana Spanish 5best2buy.com

Fabada is a bean stew, so the beans are everything: big creamy white fabes cooked slow until they turn silky but stay whole. The technique that matters is a gentle simmer and periodic scares of cold water, which keep the beans from bursting. Never stir hard; swirl the pot instead.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook2 hr
Makes6 servings
CuisineSpanish
Cost$$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Large white beans
The heart of fabada; big creamy fabes or large white beans cook up silky and hold their shape.
1 lb
Spanish chorizo
Smoky cured sausage that colors and flavors the whole pot; add it whole and slice later.
8 oz
Smoked paprika
A spoonful deepens the smoke and reddens the broth; smoked pimenton is essential.
1 tbsp
Cured bacon
A piece of pancetta or salt pork adds fat and depth to the pot; it melts into the broth.
4 oz
Saffron threads
A pinch bloomed into the broth for color and the faint floral note fabada is known for.
1 pinch
Yellow onion
Left whole in the pot to flavor the broth, then discarded.
1
Garlic
A few cloves left whole to perfume the beans.
3 cloves
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Soak the beansSoak the white beans in cold water overnight so they cook evenly and stay whole.
  2. Start the potCover the drained beans with cold water, add the whole onion, garlic, chorizo, and bacon, and bring to a bare simmer.
  3. Simmer lowCook at the gentlest simmer for 2 hours, skimming the foam and adding a splash of cold water twice to keep the beans intact.
  4. SeasonStir in the paprika and bloomed saffron in the last 30 minutes; keep the heat low so nothing scorches.
  5. Rest and serveDiscard the onion, slice the meats back in, and let the stew rest 20 minutes so the broth thickens.
The Toolkit

Heavy pot · Ladle · Skimmer · Wooden spoon · Chef knife

Straight Answers
Can you make Fabada Asturiana in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Fabada Asturiana? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Fabada Asturiana ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Fabada Asturiana gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Fabada Asturiana vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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