Birali (Burundi Bean Stew)
A hearty and flavorful bean stew, often made with a combination of beans, vegetables, and sometimes meat, simmered to perfection. It's a staple comfort food in Burundi.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dried Kidney Beans(soaked overnight and drained)
- 300 g Beef or Lamb(cut into bite-sized pieces (optional))
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 liter Water or Broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 200 g Spinach or Collard Greens(chopped (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the soaked beans thoroughly. Place them in a large pot with enough water to cover by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until beans are partially tender. Drain and set aside.
- 2
If using meat, brown it in a separate pot or the same pot (after draining beans) with a little oil over medium-high heat. Remove meat and set aside.
- 3
In the same pot, add vegetable oil and sauté the chopped onions until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, coriander powder, and turmeric powder. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and form a sauce.
- 6
Return the partially cooked beans and the browned meat (if using) to the pot. Add 1 liter of water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30-45 minutes, or until beans are fully tender and the stew has thickened.
- 7
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If using spinach or collard greens, stir them in during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking until wilted.
- 8
Serve hot, traditionally with ugali (cornmeal porridge) or rice.
💡 Tip: Adjust water/broth to achieve desired stew consistency.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking beans overnight significantly reduces cooking time and improves digestibility.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.
- ✓If you don't have kidney beans, other types like black beans or pinto beans can be used.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika for depth.