Fasolada (Greek White Bean Soup)
Local name: Φασολάδα
In short: Greece's classic white bean soup with carrots, celery, tomato and a generous pour of olive oil, thick, filling and meat-free. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 455 kcal
Fasolada is the white bean soup that many Greeks call their national dish. Beans simmer with carrots, celery, onion and tomato until the broth thickens, and good olive oil goes in at the end. It is cheap, filling, vegan and eaten on Lenten days and cold evenings. Serve with olives, bread, and a pinch of chili flakes or a squeeze of lemon.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans, cover them with fresh water, boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse. This gives a clearer soup.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a large pot and cook the onions for 6 minutes. Add the carrots, celery and garlic and cook for 4 minutes, then stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute.
- Add the beans, tomatoes, bay, oregano and water. Bring to a boil, then partly cover and simmer for 60 to 75 minutes, until the beans are very soft and the soup is thick. Add hot water if it gets too thick.
- Add the salt for the last 15 minutes. Mash a ladle of beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth.
- Stir in the remaining oil, the parsley and the black pepper. Rest for 10 minutes, then serve with olives, lemon wedges and chili flakes.
Tips
- Salt late, since salt early can keep bean skins tough. Top up with hot water, not cold, if the soup reduces too far.
- Fasolada thickens as it sits, so thin it with hot water when reheating. It tastes better the next day.
Questions and answers
Is fasolada the national dish of Greece?
It is often called that, though there is no official dish. It is a staple of Greek homes and of Lenten days.
Do I need to soak the beans?
Yes, overnight if you can. Soaking shortens the cooking time and gives creamier, evenly cooked beans.
Can I use canned beans?
Yes. Use four 400 g (14 oz) cans, drained, and simmer them with the vegetables and 1 liter (4 cups) of water for 25 minutes.
How long does it take to make Fasolada (Greek White Bean Soup)?
About 2 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fasolada (Greek White Bean Soup)?
About 455 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 54 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 455 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 17 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
