North Macedonia’s baked bean dish with onion, paprika and peppers, finished in a clay-style baking dish.
Tavče gravče is one of North Macedonia’s best-known traditional dishes. White beans are cooked until tender, seasoned with onion and paprika, then baked until the sauce thickens and a light crust forms.
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- Prep
- 20 minutes plus soaking
- Cook
- 1 hour 40 minutes
- Serves
- 6
The recipe
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Ingredients
Quantities change with servings; cooking times stay the same.
Method
-
Drain beans, cover with fresh water and simmer with bay leaves until tender but not falling apart, about 60–75 minutes.
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Cook onion and peppers in oil until soft. Stir in paprika off the heat so it does not burn.
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Combine beans with the onion mixture and enough bean cooking liquid to keep them saucy.
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Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 200°C for 25–30 minutes until the surface sets and the sauce thickens.
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Season to taste and rest 10 minutes before serving.
Chef’s notes
Keep some bean cooking liquid for the bake. The finished dish should be creamy inside, not dry.
Substitutions
Use cannellini or navy beans if traditional Macedonian beans are unavailable. Adjust cooking time to the bean variety.
Serve with
Bread, pickled peppers or grilled meat
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat covered with a splash of water if needed.
Allergens
No major allergens are required in the base recipe.
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