These Spanish poor man’s beans and potatoes, known as alubias con patatas a lo pobre, are what honest home cooking is all about. We’re talking basic pantry staples, easy to make, and done in just 40 minutes. Serve them as a side dish or even as a main course, as they certainly have enough protein.
To make this recipe, I used jarred white beans, which are the same thing as the canned ones. If you prefer, you can use dried white beans. Just soak them in plenty of water overnight and then simmer them the following day for a couple of hours or until tender.
What truly flavors this dish is the olive oil, paprika, and cumin. Make sure to use the good stuff here. As it makes all the difference. If you want a little heat, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes or hot smoked paprika will do the trick.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: You can serve these beans warm, at room temperature, or even chilled. They will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. You can substitute the grated tomatoes for 1/2 cup (120 grams) of canned tomato sauce (passata).
Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)
SPANISH PAPRIKA (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)
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Watch the Video Below on How to Make Spanish Poor Man’s Beans and Potatoes
Spanish Poor Man's Beans and Potatoes | Alubias con Patatas a lo Pobre
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
- 1 medium onion (roughly chopped)
- 5 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 1 medium potato (peeled)
- 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin 2 grams
- 2 tomatoes (finely grated)
- 1 jar white beans (same as canned) 25 oz / 700 grams
- 2 cups vegetable broth 480 ml
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp lemon juice 10 ml
- sea salt & black pepper
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
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Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
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After a couple of minutes add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix together, then mix every 1 to 2 minutes so everything evenly sautes
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In the meantime, cut the potato into small bite-sized pieces that are a 1/4 inch (.635 cm) thick
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After 5 minutes and the onions are translucent add in the chopped potato, mix together, then mix every 1 to 2 minutes
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Once the potatoes are lightly fried, about 5 minutes, add in the paprika and cumin, quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomato, and season with salt & pepper, mix together and then simmer
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After 5 minutes and the grated tomato has slightly thickened, add in the jarred white beans (drained and rinsed), vegetable broth, and bay leaf, then turn it up to a high heat and give it a mix
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Once it comes to a boil place a lid on the pan and lower to a low heat, simmer for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are just cooked through, then turn off the heat, add in the lemon juice, and mix together
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Transfer into shallow bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Get the Spanish Olive Oil and Spanish Paprika I used to make this Recipe (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)
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Mary Barden
08 . Oct . 2025I love these simple and tasty recipes. I cannot eat tomatoes (allergic) so don’t add them. I’ve added a little spinach at the end of cooking which gives it another dimension. Thanks for your recipes, I’m going through them one by one.
Spain on a Fork
Happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
08 . Oct . 2025Esa Parta
28 . Sep . 2025I made this tastier by first caramelizing 4 onions for a couple of hours over low heat until beautifully brown — the aroma at the end is always mouthwatering. For about 10 minutes I let some chopped garlic soften together with the browned onions. I set this onion mixture aside on a plate while browning the potatoes. And since I love potatoes, I added 4 of them. For the liquid, I also mixed in 2 tablespoons of flour as a thickener, since I don’t like watery soups or stews. 😋
Spain on a Fork
Sounds great! Much love 🙂
28 . Sep . 2025Petula
18 . Sep . 2025These kind of recipes are my favourite because they are simple to prepare, use common pantry items and can be adapted using substitutions. I used 1/2 a cup of tinned, crushed tomatoes instead of fresh as that’s what I had on hand. Cheap, filling, tasty and quick to prepare. Nice on its own but would also be well paired with some fresh buttered bread and wine. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Spain on a Fork
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
18 . Sep . 2025Christina
09 . Sep . 2025Second time I’ve made this in a week. Extra paprika and had to use a mixture of white and red beans. Delicious.
Live in France but going to Roses next week. Will bring a massiveshopback. Olive oil; aioli, veggies etc. Thank you 😊
Spain on a Fork
Sounds great! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
11 . Sep . 2025Cecilia
25 . Aug . 2025Hey! This is TRULY a taste of Spain! Made it last week with freshly-harvested tomato, potato and parsley from my garden. Am making it again tonight.
Fabulous!
Spain on a Fork
Happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
27 . Aug . 2025Rose Finnan
13 . Aug . 2025I love this guy’s recipies, his enthusiasm for Spanish cooking is infectious.
Spain on a Fork
Appreciate the comment! Much love 🙂
14 . Aug . 2025Eva
Love it
13 . Aug . 2025Spain on a Fork
Thanks for the comment! Much love 🙂
14 . Aug . 2025Brian Goldbeck
Wife is a meataholic. Chorizo, chicken thighs?
12 . Aug . 2025Norma
How do you make broth
12 . Aug . 2025Spain on a Fork
https://spainonafork.com/how-to-easily-make-your-own-vegetable-broth-at-home/
12 . Aug . 2025Sharon
How in the heck do you grate a TOMATO??
12 . Aug . 2025Spain on a Fork
using a box grater or handheld grater, you can see it on the video 🙂 Much love
12 . Aug . 2025Albertina Rehoune
11 . Aug . 2025Part of my heritage so very proud I have spanish
Spain on a Fork
Appreciate the comment! Much love 🙂
12 . Aug . 2025Ana
11 . Aug . 2025We loved it. Such an easy recipe.
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
12 . Aug . 2025Kieran Cotter
Id say the bean and potato dish might be lacking the amino acid methionine and si doesnt contain complete protein. Add rice or peael barley or have a slice of wholewheat bread maybe to complete the dish
11 . Aug . 2025Kevin
11 . Aug . 2025Looks delicious
Spain on a Fork
Thank you! Much love 🙂
11 . Aug . 2025