1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Tangy Bean Dish

Traditional Romanian Dish

Featured in Nutritious Recipes That Don't Sacrifice Flavor.

Cook veggies and onions, season with herbs, mix in beans, stock, and tomato paste. Simmer for half an hour, then finish with BORS or lemon for a tangy boost. Serve with bread or polenta to complete the meal.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Ranah
Updated on Sat, 12 Apr 2025 14:49:19 GMT
A bowl of savory Romanian bean dish. Pin it
A bowl of savory Romanian bean dish. | tastycoock.com

Take basic ingredients and whip up a cozy traditional Romanian bean soup (Ciorba De Fasole) that blends soft beans with fragrant veggies in a zesty broth. This soothing dish offers the perfect mix of filling beans and crisp vegetables, topped off with the unique zing of bors or fresh lemon juice. Every bite brings comfort and delight in true Romanian fashion.

While trying out different Romanian dishes, this soup stood out as the ultimate mix of homey and traditional, and it's now what I always cook when I want something warm in winter.

Key Components

  • Good beans: White beans, either dried or from a can
  • Garden vegetables: Forms flavorful foundation
  • Lemon juice or bors: Gives characteristic sourness
  • Green herbs: Parsley and dill add freshness
  • Flavorful stock: Creates richness throughout

Soup Creation Steps

Start Your Base
  • Cook onions with veggies until they're soft and smell amazing.
Create Your Soup
  • Throw in beans and stock, then let it bubble gently.
Add Depth
  • Mix in spices and herbs, giving them time to come together.
Make It Tangy
  • Pour in lemon juice or bors for that must-have sour kick.
Tweak The Taste
  • Fix the flavors and thickness just how you like it.
Last Touches
  • Sprinkle fresh herbs on top and serve steaming hot.
Go Traditional
  • Offer salt-dipped raw onion on the side for a true Romanian touch.

My Romanian grandma always told me the key to amazing ciorba was taking your time - when you let the flavors slowly come together, you end up with the tastiest soup.

Traditional Romanian bean soup, Ciorba De Fasole, presented in a bowl with herbs. Pin it
Traditional Romanian bean soup, Ciorba De Fasole, presented in a bowl with herbs. | tastycoock.com

How To Enjoy It

Make this soup part of a full Romanian feast by adding some tasty sides. Grab some fresh crusty bread or warm polenta, and don't forget those salt-dipped onion chunks. Serve everything in chunky pottery bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and extra lemon slices. Try pairing with some pickled veggies or fresh cabbage slaw for a nice contrast.

Fun Twists

Play around with this flexible soup to make it your own. You can use several bean types for more texture, or toss in some smoked meats for extra flavor. Want it thicker? Blend up some of the beans. Need more substance? Just add extra veggies. You might even try adding Romanian smoked sausage or whatever vegetables are in season.

Keeping It Fresh

Make sure your soup stays yummy by storing it right. You can keep it in the fridge in sealed containers for about 4 days, and just add fresh herbs when you warm it up. If you need longer storage, freeze it in single portions for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it again, warm it slowly and check the seasoning, adding fresh herbs right before you dig in.

A bowl of traditional Romanian bean soup, ciorba de fasole, garnished with herbs. Pin it
A bowl of traditional Romanian bean soup, ciorba de fasole, garnished with herbs. | tastycoock.com

Final Thoughts

This Romanian bean soup has become my go-to comfort food. Though it's easy to make, paying attention to the small details brings out that true Romanian flavor. Just remember, the best soup isn't rushed - give each step the time it needs for the most satisfying bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is BORS?
BORS is a tangy liquid made from fermented wheat bran often used in Romanian dishes. Lemon juice works as a good alternative.
→ Can I use fresh beans instead of canned?
Absolutely, just soak and cook dried beans ahead of time, or toss in pre-cooked fresh beans.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Pop it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat slowly on the stove.
→ Can I freeze this soup?
Sure, portion it out and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
→ What can I serve with this soup?
Pair it up with a slice of crusty bread, polenta, or a refreshing salad for a well-rounded meal.

Tangy Bean Dish

A classic Romanian dish with tender beans, fresh veggies, and a zesty twist. A perfect way to stay warm and satisfied on cold days.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Healthy Eating

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Romanian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Primary Ingredients

01 1 cup BORS or ½ cup lemon juice (use lemon if BORS isn't handy)
02 3 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
03 2 cans of beans (white or kidney beans)
04 ½ tsp pepper
05 1 tsp salt
06 1 large onion, chopped up
07 4 tbsp tomato paste
08 8 cups vegetable stock
09 1 tbsp fresh dill
10 2 tbsp dry thyme
11 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

→ Vegetables

12 1 small parsnip, grated
13 1 grated carrot
14 1 celery stalk, chopped up
15 1 chopped tomato
16 1 chopped bell pepper

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up a large pot on medium heat and toss in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once it's warm, add the onion and cook it for about 5 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Next, mix in the carrot, parsnip, tomato, celery, and pepper. Give it a good stir, and cook the mix for another 7–10 minutes until tender.

Step 02

Stir in the thyme and dill, followed by the tomato paste. Mix well and let it all cook together for 2 minutes to bring out the flavors. Add a pinch of pepper and salt to taste.

Step 03

Drain the beans using a colander and rinse them under cold running water. Gently mix the beans into the pot and pour in the veggie stock to cover everything. Keep it on a low to medium heat and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes.

Step 04

Mix in the BORS or lemon juice, whichever you're using, and let everything simmer on low for another 10 minutes to get that nice tangy taste.

Step 05

Stir in the parsley at the end, and serve warm. Pair it with polenta or soft bread for an authentic treat. For an extra zing, serve with hot peppers or crisp onion slices dipped in salt.

Notes

  1. Be patient while the soup simmers—give it about 30 minutes for all the flavors to come together perfectly.
  2. If you like a thicker texture, blend part of the vegetables and beans with an immersion blender before adding the tangy BORS.
  3. Always give it a taste before dishing up. Add a little more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed for balance.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for cooking
  • Colander to rinse the beans
  • Wooden spoon or similar for stirring
  • Blender stick (optional, to make it thicker)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Works well as gluten-free if you choose gluten-free vegetable stock and use lemon instead of BORS.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1799
  • Total Fat: 129 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 119 g
  • Protein: 27 g