Fūl Medames (Egyptian Braised Fava Beans)

Fūl Medames (Egyptian Braised Fava Beans)

Egypt's beloved breakfast staple — creamy fava beans slow-simmered with lemon, garlic, and cumin, then finished with a drizzle of olive oil. Hearty, protein-packed, and endlessly comforting.

⏱ 25 minServes 4Egyptian

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (540 ml each) canned fava beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 large lemon, juiced
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.25 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 Roma tomato, finely diced
  • 0.5 tsp red chili flakes
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 4 rounds pita bread, to serve

Directions

  1. 1Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and cook 1 minute until soft.
  2. 2Add fava beans and water; stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. 3Cook 8 minutes, mashing about half the beans with the back of a spoon to create a creamy texture.
  4. 4Stir in cumin, chili flakes, and salt; simmer 3 more minutes.
  5. 5Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
  6. 6Transfer to a shallow bowl and top with diced tomato and parsley.
  7. 7Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and serve immediately with warm pita.

💡 Canned fava beans are widely available at Middle Eastern grocery stores and some larger Canadian supermarkets (look for 'ful medames' tins). Canned broad beans are the same thing. In a pinch, canned chickpeas work but the flavour will differ.

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