Fasolada: A Hearty Greek Bean Soup Recipe

Fasolada, often celebrated as Cyprus’s national bean soup, is a true taste of tradition. This hearty dish, made with tender white beans and vibrant vegetables, is as comforting as it is nutritious. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, offering the perfect balance of health and indulgence. Pro tip: a generous drizzle of olive oil takes this rustic bean soup to the next level, making it absolutely irresistible for everyone at the table.

Fasolada Soup Recipe Ingredients

• Dry White Beans: Dry white beans, when cooked, provide a creamy and slightly nutty texture, along with a mild, earthy flavor that forms the heart of this hearty soup.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil imparts a rich, fruity, and slightly peppery note, serving as the base for sautéing vegetables and adding depth to the soup.
• Carrots: Chopped carrots contribute a natural sweetness and earthy flavor, while their vibrant orange color adds visual appeal to the soup.
• Celery Stalks: Celery stalks provide a mild, herbal, and slightly bitter taste, enhancing the overall aroma and complementing the other vegetables.
• Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the soup with a pungent and savory flavor, elevating the overall depth of taste.
• Bay Leaf: Bay Leaf adds a subtle and slightly minty note, enhancing the soup’s aroma and imparting a mild herbal flavor.
• Coriander and Cumin: Coriander offers a citrusy, slightly nutty, and mildly spicy flavor, while cumin provides earthy, smoky, and warm notes, enhancing the soup’s complexity.
• Tomato Paste: Tomato paste lends a concentrated, sweet, and slightly tangy tomato flavor, forming the base of the broth.
• Tomatoes: Chopped tomatoes contribute a fresh, juicy, and sweet-tart taste, enhancing the tomato profile of the soup and providing texture.
• Vegetable Broth: Vegetable broth adds a savory and aromatic depth to the soup, enriching the overall flavor.
• Rosemary Sprigs: Rosemary offers an aromatic, woodsy, and slightly pine-like flavor, infusing the soup with fragrant herbal notes.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice provides a zesty, citrusy, and bright acidity that balances the soup’s richness.
• Chopped Parsley: Chopped parsley adds a fresh and slightly peppery note, serving as a garnish to enhance the soup’s presentation and taste.

All About the Beans and Handy Tips

Beans are the heart of Fasolada, giving the soup its signature texture and flavor. Whether you prefer the traditional route with dry beans or the convenience of canned, here’s how to prepare them:

Dry Beans

For this recipe, we’re using dry beans soaked for 12 hours. Soaking softens them and ensures even cooking. Once soaked, they simmer with the soup for about two hours, creating a rich, hearty base. Did you know? One cup of dry beans yields approximately 2.5 to 3 cups once soaked and cooked, making them an economical and flavorful choice for your soup.

If you’d like to prep ahead or want super-soft beans, here’s a tip:

• After soaking, cook the beans separately in water for a couple of hours or until tender.
• Add them to the soup and simmer everything together for 30 minutes.

This method is perfect if you’re short on time the day you’re making the soup or prefer an extra-soft texture.

Canned Beans
Short on time? Canned beans are your best friend! They’re pre-cooked and require no soaking. Just drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove any excess sodium and maintain the soup’s fresh flavors.

Whichever option you choose, beans are guaranteed to add a comforting, hearty touch to this Greek classic.

The Unexpected Star: The Apple

Adding an apple to your Fasolada might sound surprising, but it’s the secret to unlocking a subtle sweetness that elevates the soup’s flavor profile. Instead of using refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, the apple naturally balances the savory elements of the dish.

As the soup simmers, the apple releases its sugars, blending harmoniously with the beans and vegetables. By the time it’s ready to serve, the apple’s essence infuses the entire dish, creating a complex and delicious depth of flavor. Trust us—this simple addition makes all the difference!