You will love this delightful and simple side dish of potatoes and kidney beans from Belarus. With just a few basic ingredients of potatoes, beans, onion, garlic, and herbs, you'll cook this tasty helping in only about 20 minutes.
Whether you're on a budget or short on time, this side dish is the perfect solution for your meal. Hearty enough to stand on its own, but it is also great to serve with chicken, pork, steak, or fish for an effortless meal your whole family will love.
📃 Why it Works
This dish from Belarus is a great alternative to rice and beans. You'll love how easy and quick it is to make using just a few pantry staples. You can cook your own beans if you wish, but we have used canned to speed up the process.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
You probably already have all these ingredients on hand:
- Potatoes
- Kidney Beans
- Onions
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Dill
🔪 Instructions
Push the easy button, gang! This is as easy as it gets. This Belarusian dish is done in about 20 minutes. Detailed description in the recipe box below.
- First, cook the peeled and diced potatoes. Drain and smash with a fork.
- Second, while potatoes cook, sauté diced onions until soft. Add the kidney beans and garlic and sauté for a few minutes longer.
- Next, mix potatoes with the bean mixture, add parsley and dill. Done.
- Make it vegan by swapping butter with oil.
- Use any type of potatoes you have on hand.
- Replace kidney beans with other beans. *See notes above.
- You could cook potatoes with skin on and then peel and dice. Leave the red skin potatoes unpeeled if you prefer.
- The leftovers make a great salad. Just add cider or white vinegar to taste. Serve it warm or cold!
- Add cubed ham for an easy main entree.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
They all taste alike, especially canned, and thus all types are suitable. Avoid white kinds such as fava, navy, and garbanzo only because they don't offer a nice color contrast to the dish. Try using these:
Pinto
Black
Red beans
You can cook dried ones using two soaking methods:
• Hot Soak or Quick Soak: In a Dutch oven or a large pot, add 10 cups of water for 2 cups (1 pound) of dried beans. Bring to a boil and cook for 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and soak for 1 hour (Quick Soak) or up to 4 hours (Hot Soak).
• Traditional Overnight Soak: Place them in a large bowl or container. For each pound (2 cups), add 10 cups of cold water. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• Drain and rinse them (no matter which soaking method you used) soaked by either way with fresh, cold water. Place in a Dutch oven or large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer on medium-low heat until beans are tender but firm (most beans will cook in 45 minutes to 2 hours).
🍽 How To Serve It
This classic side dish from Belarus complements any meats and fish. For a vegetarian version, serve it with roasted vegetables and sunny-side-up eggs.
Try it alongside:
- German Potato Casserole
- Potato Pancakes
- Swiss Chard and Potatoes
- Danish Warm Potato Salad
- Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
- Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Belarusian Potatoes and Kidney Beans
EQUIPMENT
- Dutch oven or a saucepan
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh parsley and dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place 2 pounds peeled and diced potatoes in a large Dutch oven or pot. Add enough water to cover and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes break apart easily when pierced with a fork. Drain and place into a serving dish. Gently smash with a masher or a fork leaving large chunks.
- Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat sauté the chopped onion with two tablespoon butter until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add a can of kidney beans (rinsed and drained) and two minced garlic cloves. Fry for one minute longer then remove from the heat.
- Gently fold the beans and onions mixture into the potatoes. Add chopped fresh parsley and dill. Season the potatoes and beans with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Notes
• Use any type of potatoes you have on hand.
• Replace kidney beans with other beans. *See notes in the post.
• You could cook potatoes with skin on and then peel and dice. Leave the red skin potatoes unpeeled if you prefer.
• The leftovers make a great salad. Just add cider or white vinegar to taste. Serve it warm or cold!
• Add cubed ham for an easy main entree.
Haley Seymour says
Jas this looks so comforting and delicious! Cannot wait to try!
Jas says
Many thanks, Haley!
Chelsey says
Love this unique twist on mashed potatoes from Belarus! I’ve never thought to add kidney beans or dill, but it looks delicious and so easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
Jas says
Thank you, Chelsey! It's really easy to make and so flavorful. XX
Kim | Give it Some Thyme says
Love this simple and delicious dish. It's versatility makes it a great side dish and even a meal on its own for Meatless Mondays. Potatoes and beans are always a favorite around here!
Jas says
It is so satisfying, it would be wonderful on its own as well. Thank you, Kim! xx
Alexandra Shunk says
I have never had potatoes and kidney beans before but what a great idea! And it is to simple too! I love that there is no cream in this dish. I always add fresh parsley to my mashed potatoes but never dill! What a great herb to throw in that goes so well with potatoes!! Thanks for the idea! I will switch up my normal mashed potatoes next time!!
Jas says
It's a yummy dish to substitute the regular potato dishes and it's easy to make (the best part in my book). Even my husband who doesn't eat beans liked it and said he didn't mind a few thrown in there. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, Aleka! Wishing you a great week.