Grah

Grah is a robust bean stew built on white beans and smoked meat, simmered low and slow until thick, rich, and deeply comforting.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 2 hrCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Balkan KitchenCategory
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Grah is a robust bean stew built on white beans and smoked meat, simmered low and slow until thick, rich, and deeply comforting. A spoonful of paprika-flecked broth tastes like Balkan home cooking at its finest.

It is the kind of dish meant for slow Sunday afternoons, served in deep bowls with crusty bread and a splash of vinegar. Leftovers only get better, making grah a favorite for batch cooking.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot with 8 cups of fresh water.
  2. Add the smoked meat, onion, carrots, bay leaf, and oil; bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
  3. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, salt, and pepper; cook 30 minutes more, until the beans are creamy.
  4. Remove the bay leaf and the meat; shred the meat and return it to the pot.
  5. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken, then serve hot with bread.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Soak the beans overnight to keep them creamy and prevent splitting. The stew thickens as it sits, so add a splash of water when reheating.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook2 hr
Servings6
CategoryBalkan Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →