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Easy Flageolet Recipe: How to Cook Flageolet Beans

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Dec 15, 2024 • 1 min read

Known as the “caviar of beans,” flageolets are a staple of simple French fare.

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What Are Flageolet Beans?

Flageolet (pronounced “fla-zhoh-LAY”) beans are small, kidney-shaped beans that are popular in French cooking. Originating in France, from a bean species native to the Americas (Phaseolus vulgaris), flageolets have come full-circle and are now commonly cultivated in California. The tiny, bush-type beans grow in an inedible shell that growers harvest when slightly under-ripe for their tenderness and mild flavor. The tender, immature beans are a common component in stews, bean salads, and cassoulet.

What Do Flageolet Beans Taste Like?

Flageolets have a mild, delicate flavor that is reminiscent of cannellini or navy beans. These tender beans are beloved for their texture, which is remarkably creamy for a bean that holds its shape in the cooking process.

3 Flageolet Bean Recipe Ideas

With their mild flavor and creamy texture, you can incorporate flageolet beans into a variety of dishes.

  1. 1. Add to stews: Flageolets are traditionally slow-cooked with lamb to produce a velvety meat-and-bean stew.
  2. 2. Add to salads: Add tender flageolets to a salad with heirloom tomatoes, fresh rosemary, garlic, frisée, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon.
  3. 3. Add to casseroles: Flageolets are one of the haricot beans used in cassoulet. Top cooked beans with breadcrumbs and bake them in the oven for an indulgent bean gratin.

Easy Flageolet Bean Recipe

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makes

prep time

10 min

total time

9 hr 40 min

cook time

1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Place the beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with 3 inches of cold water. Cover the pot, and let the beans soak overnight at room temperature. (Skip this step if using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.)

  2. 2

    Drain the beans. In a large pot, combine the drained beans with chicken stock and 2 cups of water. Add salt, bay leaf, garlic, carrot, and parmesan rind (if using). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook until the beans are tender, about 1–2 hours.

  3. 3

    Alternatively, combine all ingredients in a pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let pressure release naturally.

  4. 4

    To serve, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

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