Name: Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 585 min
Ingredients: 400 g dried white beans (soaked overnight); 120 ml olive oil (divided); 1 onion (chopped); 2 carrots (sliced); 2 celery stalks (sliced); 2 cloves garlic (sliced); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 400 g canned chopped tomatoes; 1 bay leaf; 2 l water; 1 tsp dried oregano; Salt and black pepper; 1 lemon (to serve)

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Fasolada, Greece’s national bean soup: white beans simmered with tomato, carrot, celery and plenty of olive oil.

About this Greek recipe

Fasolada is often called the national food of Greece. It is simple, vegan and traditionally eaten during periods of fasting.

Ingredients you will need

The main ingredients are dried white beans, olive oil, onion, carrots, celery stalks, garlic. Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How long it takes

Allow 9 hr 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation, 1 hr 30 min of cooking and 8 hr of resting, chilling or soaking. The recipe serves 6.

Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)

Fasolada, Greece’s national bean soup: white beans simmered with tomato, carrot, celery and plenty of olive oil.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 30

Resting 8

Total Time 9 45

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Greek

Calories: 330

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

400 g dried white beans soaked overnight
120 ml olive oil divided
1 onion chopped
2 carrots sliced
2 celery stalks sliced
2 cloves garlic sliced
2 tbsp tomato paste
400 g canned chopped tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 l water
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and black pepper
1 lemon to serve

Method

Drain the beans, cover with fresh water, boil for 10 minutes and drain.
Soften the onion, carrots, celery and garlic in half the oil for 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute.
Add the beans, tomatoes, bay leaf and water. Simmer for 1–1½ hours until the beans are creamy.
Stir in the remaining olive oil and the oregano, and season.
Serve with lemon wedges, olives and bread.

Notes

Add salt only when the beans are tender. Salting early can keep them firm.