Prebranac (Serbian Baked Beans with Onions)
Big white beans baked with a mountain of slow-cooked onions, paprika and bay until sticky and caramelised on top.
- Time2 hr 45
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.75 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Drain the soaked beans and put them in a large pan. Cover with fresh cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until tender but still holding their shape. Drain, keeping 400 ml of the cooking water.
70 min - 2
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
- 3
Heat the oil in a wide pan. Add the onions and cook on a low heat for 25 minutes, stirring often, until very soft and starting to turn golden. Add the garlic for the last 3 minutes.
25 min - 4
Off the heat, stir in both paprikas, the bay leaves, pepper, salt and half the parsley.
- 5
Combine the beans and onion mixture in a deep baking dish. Pour in the reserved cooking water.
- 6
Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, until the liquid has mostly gone and the top is browned and sticky. Give it a gentle stir after 20 minutes.
40 min - 7
Rest for 10 minutes, scatter over the remaining parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
