Bableves (Hungarian Bean Soup with Smoked Pork)
In short: A soup of beans, smoked pork, carrots and paprika, thickened with a light roux and brightened with a touch of vinegar. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Bableves is the Hungarian bean soup, a thick, savory pot that is often served on a cold day or after a night out. Dried beans simmer with smoked pork, root vegetables and paprika, and a quick roux of oil, flour and paprika gives the broth its body. Many cooks finish with a splash of vinegar and a spoonful of sour cream, and add sausage or small pinched noodles. It is a budget meal that tastes even better the next day.
Instructions
- Put the beans, smoked pork and bay leaf in a large pot with the water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then simmer partly covered for 45 minutes.
- Add the carrots, parsnip, onion, garlic and marjoram. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes more, until the beans are tender and the smoked pork is soft.
- Lift out the smoked pork. Pull the meat from the bones, chop it and return it to the pot, discarding the bones and bay leaf.
- Make the roux. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat, stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until pale golden. Take off the heat and stir in the paprika.
- Whisk a ladle of the hot soup liquid into the roux until smooth, then pour the mixture back into the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring, until the soup thickens slightly.
- Add the salt and the vinegar. Taste and adjust.
- Serve hot, with a spoonful of sour cream and fresh bread.
Tips
- Soak the beans overnight and add the salt only after they soften, so they cook evenly. Canned beans can replace dried: use 3 cans (400 g / 14 oz each), drained, and cut the simmering time to 30 minutes.
- To make it a fuller meal, add sliced smoked sausage for the last 15 minutes, or pinched noodles (csipetke) for the last 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I make bableves vegetarian?
Yes. Leave out the smoked pork and add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for the smoky flavor. Use vegetable stock instead of water if you want extra depth.
Can I freeze bableves?
Yes. It freezes well for up to 3 months. The soup thickens as it sits, so add water when reheating.
What beans are best for Hungarian bean soup?
Dried pinto or white beans are typical, and any mild, creamy bean will work. Canned beans are a convenient shortcut.
How long does it take to make Bableves (Hungarian Bean Soup with Smoked Pork)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bableves (Hungarian Bean Soup with Smoked Pork)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 820 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
