Make the heartwarming traditional Romanian bean soup, Ciorba De Fasole, with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions. A cosy, delicious bowl of comfort!
For a Romanian-inspired meal, start your day with a potato frittata, a hearty breakfast option. As an appetiser, Olivier salad (Salata de Boeuf) is always a crowd-pleaser.
For mains, cabbage pasta pairs perfectly with rosemary roast lamb, while slow-cooked pork with cabbage is pure comfort food. Stuffed grape leaves with polenta make a satisfying meal, and for dessert, my apple crumble bars are a childhood favourite.
Jump to:
- 🍲Introduction to Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole)
- What is BORS?
- 💕Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🥘 Ingredients
- 📖Substitutions
- 👩🍳 How To Make Traditional Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole)
- 🥗Serving Suggestions
- More Soup Recipes
- ❓Traditional Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole) FAQs
- Pair This Soup With
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Marie-Pierre says
"I got myself some bors broth, and it doesn't disappoint! This Romanian soup was so delicious, I love to discover world cuisines!"
🍲Introduction to Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole)
If you're looking for a dish that's both heartwarming and full of comfort, look no further than this Traditional Romanian Bean Soup - Ciorba De Fasole! It's one of the most-loved soups in Romania, especially during colder months. Packed with beans, vegetables, and just the right balance of herbs, this soup is the definition of cosy food.
The best part? It's easy to make and requires only a few simple ingredients. Whether you're new to Romanian cuisine or just craving something different, this recipe is sure to bring joy to your kitchen. So, let's dive in and get cooking!
What is BORS?
Bors (or borș in Romanian) is a fermented wheat bran liquid used to give soups a tangy, slightly sour taste. It's a key ingredient in traditional Romanian sour soups (ciorbă) and is added at the end of cooking. You can find it bottled in Eastern European stores, or as a bors powder, which is mixed with water before use. I also add bors to my easy one-pot Romanian meatball soup.
💕Why You'll Love This Recipe
What makes this bean soup so special? It's the perfect balance of hearty beans and fresh veggies. And don't forget the BORS (or lemon juice), which gives it that tangy, refreshing finish. It's a satisfying and light meal, making it perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep. The soup's flavour develops even more as it sits, so you'll love the leftovers the next day!
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Bors is used for soups in Romania and can be found in Romanian, Polish, Lithuanian, or Turkish shops. There's also a bors powder that works as a substitute. It's usually labelled "bors" on the package and found in the same shops. Just add it to the soup, and you will have the same sour taste.
Extra Veggies
📖Substitutions
- BORS or lemon juice: If you don't have BORS, simply squeeze in the juice of half a lemon for a zesty tang. You can also try using vinegar for a different twist.
- Beans: Any type of canned beans will work for this recipe. White beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas can be used, depending on what you prefer.
- Herbs: If you don't have fresh dill or parsley, dried versions will work fine, though the fresh herbs will add more punch.
👩🍳 How To Make Traditional Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole)
Ready to make this comforting Bean Soup? I promise you, it requires minimal prep and is a meal your whole family will love. I love serving this soup as a starter before my hearty moussaka with its creamy mashed potato topping-the two together create the most satisfying, complete dinner.
Step 1: Cook the Onion and Vegetables: Heat oil in a pot, then cook the chopped onion until golden. Add the other veggies and cook until softened.
Step 2: Add Beans and stock: Add the rinsed beans, herbs and stock, then bring everything to a simmer.
Step 3: Add BORS or Lemon Juice: Pour in the BORS (or lemon juice), stir, and simmer for a bit longer.
Step 4: Finish and Serve: Garnish with parsley, stir, and serve with polenta or bread. For a traditional touch, serve with onion quarters dipped in salt.
*See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
🥗Serving Suggestions
This soup is great on its own, but you can make it even more satisfying by serving it with a side of warm, freshly baked bread or creamy polenta. For a traditional Romanian touch, top it off with some spicy peppers and fresh onion cut into quarters, and lightly sprinkled with salt.
More Soup Recipes
- Ready in 25 minutes, this comforting bowl of creamy yoghurt potato soup is simple and delicious.
- Roasted Veggie Soup and One-Pot Lentil Soup: Both are hearty and packed with flavour, and each can be ready in 30 minutes.
- This quick 15-minute noodle miso soup is super fast and flavorful, and the kids love it too. It is perfect for dinner on a school night.
- Romanian Meatball Soup Recipe (Ciorba de Perisoare): A tangy broth with flavorful meatballs, ready in under 30 minutes.
- I love this hearty chicken soup that's ready in just 30 minutes, as it's filling, and very light and tasty.
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❓Traditional Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole) FAQs
Bean soup can vary in thickness based on personal preference. Some enjoy a thick, stew-like consistency, while others prefer a lighter broth. To thicken your soup, you can mash a portion of the beans or let the soup simmer longer to reduce the liquid
Yes, it's generally recommended to drain and rinse canned beans before adding them to your soup. This helps remove excess sodium and any metallic taste from the canning liquid. However, if you prefer a thicker soup, you might choose to add some of the liquid for its starch content
Let the soup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen on the stove.
If you're using dried beans, soaking them before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. However, it's not strictly necessary. Unsoaked beans will just take longer to cook. For canned beans, soaking isn't needed; simply drain and rinse them before use
To cook dry white beans, soak them in water overnight to soften them and help them cook faster. The next day, rinse the beans, place them in a large pot, and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes, then drain and rinse. Repeat this step once more with fresh water to make the beans even softer. After that, cover the beans with water again, add a couple of bay leaves, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours until tender, checking occasionally.
If you prefer using a pressure cooker, after soaking and rinsing the beans, cover them with water, add bay leaves, and cook on high pressure for 25-30 minutes, allowing the pressure to release naturally. This method is quicker and just as effective. I often cook extra beans and freeze the leftovers-they're perfect for soups, stews, or quick meals on busy weeknights.
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📖 Recipe
Traditional Romanian Bean Soup (Ciorba De Fasole)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cans of beans white beans or kidney beans
- 1 cup BORS or ½ lemon juice (use lemon juice if you prefer or don't have bors)
- 8 cups vegetable stock
- 4 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon dry thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Mixed Vegetables:
- 1 grated carrot
- 1 small grated parsnip
- 1 chopped pepper
- 1 chopped tomato
- 1 celery stick chopped
Instructions
- Start by heating a large pot over medium heat. Add a little oil (about 1 tablespoon) and let it warm up. Then, add the chopped onion and stir it around. Cook for about 5 minutes until it turns soft and slightly golden.1 large onion, 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Next, add the grated carrot, grated parsnip, chopped pepper, chopped tomato, and celery. Stir everything together and let the vegetables cook for about 7-10 minutes. They should soften and smell really good!1 grated carrot, 1 small grated parsnip, 1 chopped pepper, 1 chopped tomato, 1 celery stick
- Now, sprinkle in the dried thyme and fresh dill. Then, add the tomato paste and stir well. Let everything cook for about 2 minutes. This step helps mix all the flavors together. At this point, season with salt and pepper.4 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 tablespoon dry thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- Open the canned beans and pour them into a colander. Rinse them under cold water to remove any extra liquid from the can. Then, add the beans to the pot and gently stir.2 cans of beans
- Now, pour in the vegetable or chicken stock. Make sure the beans and vegetables are fully covered. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes over low to medium heat.8 cups vegetable stock
- After simmering, it's time to add the BORS (or lemon juice if you're using that instead). Pour it in and stir well. Let the soup cook for another 10 minutes on low heat. This step gives the soup a little tangy taste, just like traditional Romanian soups.1 cup BORS
- The final step is to add the fresh parsley. Sprinkle it on top and give the soup a quick stir. Now, it's ready to serve!2 tablespoon fresh parsley
- For a true Romanian experience, serve this soup with polenta or fresh bread. If you like a little extra kick, you can add spicy peppers or fresh onion quarters dipped in salt.
Notes
- Don't rush the simmering process. Let the soup cook gently for the full 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- If you want a thicker soup, use an immersion blender to blend some of the beans and veggies before adding the BORS.
- Always taste the soup before serving! Depending on your stock, you might want to adjust the seasoning with a little extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
Lathiya says
My family loved this! The soup was hearty and comforting.
Leslie says
This was such an easy, comforting dish. I loved how delicious this was!
Nicole says
This bean soup is amazing! Such a tasty soup recipe.
Krystle Smith says
This is such a cozy hug in a bowl, and I loved how hearty it was without being too heavy.
Maggie says
I loved this! Will definitely be making again!
Criss says
Made this ciorbă de fasole and it took me straight back to my childhood—hearty, tangy, and so comforting. Loved every spoonful!
Razvan says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Genevieve says
Bean soup is so yummy and I love how this recipe is packed with protein and perfet for winter!
Marie-Pierre says
I got myself some bors broth, and it doesn't disappoint! This Romanian soup was so delicious, I love to discover world cuisines!
Swathi says
Traditional romaian bean soup is delicious and hearty and filling. I have tried, enjoyed with homemade bread.
Liz says
So hearty and tasty! This was the perfect dinner on a chilly winter's evening.
Claudia says
My family loved this!