Gallery

IMG_1090

Vegetarian Lunch Featured

Tavče Gravče (North Macedonia)

An authentic recipe for traditional Macedonian Tavče Gravče, highlighting the rich, savory depth of baked white beans seasoned with paprika and mint.

Level Medium Prep 20 min Cook 90 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

110 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 20m

Cook 90m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Macedonian Tavče Gravče, highlighting the rich, savory depth of baked white beans seasoned with paprika and mint.

North Macedonia's national dish featuring slow-baked white beans infused with sweet paprika, mint, and onions.

Ingredients

Servings

Units

Main

500 g tetovo beans or large white beans (soaked overnight)
3 large onions (finely chopped)
1/4 cup sunflower oil or vegetable oil

Sauce

1 tbsp sweet paprika powder
1 tsp dried mint
1 tbsp flour (for thickening roux)

Aromatics

2 pieces dried red chili peppers
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Seasoning

salt and black pepper (to taste)

Equipment

Earthenware baking pot (tavče) Traditional baking dish
Large boiling pot For boiling beans
Skillet For preparing the onion roux

Instructions

Soak the white beans in cold water overnight. Drain, rinse, and place them in a pot with fresh water, bringing them to a boil.
Drain the first boil of water, add fresh water, and simmer the beans until they are tender.
In a separate pan, sauté the chopped onions in oil until translucent and golden brown.
Stir the flour and sweet paprika powder into the onions to create a fragrant roux, cooking for 1 minute.
Combine the cooked beans with the onion mixture, adding dried mint, salt, pepper, and some of the bean cooking water.
Transfer everything into a traditional earthenware baking pot (tavče), top with dried red chili peppers and fresh parsley, and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) until a nice crust forms on top.
30 min

Nutrition

Calories 340

Protein 14g

Carbs 48g

Fat 10g

Fiber 12g

Sugar 4g

Sodium 380mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 20 min

Cook 90 min

Total 110 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.6
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 9.0
Value 9.5
Instructions 9.2
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 8.0
Would Make Again 9.5

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

A deeply comforting, hearty, and aromatic classic that represents the ultimate soul food of North Macedonia.

Pros

Rich traditional flavor
Hearty and filling
Naturally vegetarian

Cons

Requires soaking beans in advance

Overview

North Macedonia's national dish featuring slow-baked white beans infused with sweet paprika, mint, and onions.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Macedonian Tavče Gravče, highlighting the rich, savory depth of baked white beans seasoned with paprika and mint.

Tips

Don't skip discarding the first boil of water to make the beans easier to digest
Using an earthenware pot gives the dish its authentic rustic taste and texture
Serve hot alongside crusty bread and traditional grilled meats if desired