Fasolada - the traditional Greek bean soup
Fasolada – the traditional Greek bean soup
A piece of Greece in your soup bowl
If you ask Greeks what dish means true comfort food to them, one name often comes up:
👉 Fasolada
The traditional Greek bean soup has been one of the country's most popular dishes for generations and is often referred to as Greece's national dish.
With its simple ingredients, aromatic olive oil, and distinctive taste, it perfectly showcases what Mediterranean cuisine is all about:
Fresh ingredients, honest recipes, and uncomplicated enjoyment.
What is Fasolada?
Fasolada is a hearty soup made from white beans, vegetables, and plenty of olive oil.
It is particularly popular:
- in winter
- during Lent
- as a satisfying family meal
In Greece, Fasolada is often served with:
- fresh bread
- olives
- pickled vegetables
- or feta.
Why Fasolada fits the Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet traditionally focuses on:
- legumes
- vegetables
- herbs
- high-quality olive oil
Exactly these ingredients also form the basis of Fasolada.
It shows that simple dishes are often the best.
👉 You can find out more about the Mediterranean diet in our blog article:
The Mediterranean diet – what makes it so special?
Fasolada Recipe (4–6 servings)
Ingredients
- 500 g white beans
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 400 g chopped tomatoes
- 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1.5 liters water
Preparation
Prepare the beans
Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water.
The next day, drain and rinse briefly.
Chop the vegetables
Chop carrots, celery, onion, and garlic finely.
Cook the soup
Put all ingredients together with water and bay leaves into a large pot.
Simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beans are soft.
Refine with olive oil
Finally, add the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
The olive oil gives the soup its typical Greek flavor.
ILIOS' tip
In Greece, Fasolada often tastes even better the next day.
Many families prepare a larger pot and enjoy the soup over several days.
Excellent accompaniments include:
Fasolada and Greek Lent
Fasolada is one of the classic Nistisima dishes.
The Greek word Nistisima refers to dishes eaten during the fasting periods of the Greek Orthodox Church.
These dishes traditionally contain:
- no meat
- no dairy products
- no eggs
and are often based on legumes, vegetables, and olive oil.
👉more interesting facts about olive oil: 7 mistakes when buying olive oil
Conclusion
Fasolada is much more than a bean soup.
It is:
- tradition
- family cuisine
- Mediterranean indulgence
- and a piece of Greece
A simple dish that has been on Greek tables for generations – and has lost none of its charm to this day.
Other recipes: