Name: Tangy Bean Broth
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 2 cans of beans (white or kidney—your choice); 8 cups veggie broth; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 big onion, diced; 4 tbsp tomato puree; 1 cup bors or ½ cup lemon juice (use lemon if bors isn’t available); ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp dried thyme; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 1 tbsp fresh dill, minced; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 1 grated carrot; 1 small parsnip, shredded; 1 chopped bell pepper; 1 tomato, diced

A steaming bowl of Romanian bean broth. | recipesbytina.com

Turn basic ingredients into a soul-warming Romanian bean soup (Ciorba De Fasole) that blends soft beans with fragrant veggies in a zesty broth. This cozy soup balances hearty beans with garden vegetables, topped off with the signature zing of bors or lemon juice. Every bite brings comfort and joy in true Romanian fashion.

While diving into Romania's food culture, this soup stood out as the ultimate mix of coziness and heritage, quickly becoming my favorite dish for those nippy winter evenings.

Key Components

Good beans: Either dried or tinned white beans
Garden vegetables: Makes the flavorful foundation
Bors or lemon juice: Gives that special tartness
Garden herbs: Dill and parsley bring freshness
Flavorful stock: Creates flavor complexity

Soup Creation Steps

Make The Foundation

Cook onions and veggies until soft and fragrant.

Create The Liquid

Mix in beans and stock, letting it bubble gently.

Mix The Tastes

Add herbs and spices, giving time for flavors to come together.

Bring The Zing

Stir in bors or lemon juice for that classic sour kick.

Tweak The Taste

Fix the seasonings and thickness to your liking.

Top It Off

Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve steaming hot.

Honor Tradition

Pair with salt-rubbed onion pieces for a real Romanian touch.

My Romanian granny always told me the trick to amazing ciorba was taking your time - letting everything cook slowly makes the most delicious soup.

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

Tasty Pairings

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

Tasty Twists

Jazz up this adaptable soup by trying different approaches. Mix several bean types for texture, or toss in smoked meat for extra depth. Make it thicker by mashing some beans, or throw in more veggies for a chunkier meal. You could add traditional Romanian smoked sausage or whatever veggies are in season.

Keeping It Fresh

Keep your soup tasting great with proper storage. Pop it in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 4 days, adding new herbs when you warm it up. For longer keeping, freeze in single-serving tubs for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm it slowly and check the taste, throwing in fresh herbs just before eating.

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

Final Thoughts

This Romanian bean soup has become my go-to comfort food. Though it's not complicated to make, paying attention to each cooking step creates a true taste of Romanian heritage. Just remember, good soup can't be rushed - give each stage the time it needs for the most satisfying bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What exactly is BORS?: BORS is a tangy fermented wheat bran liquid popular in Romania. If you can’t find it, lemon juice works perfectly.
→ Can fresh beans replace canned ones?: Of course, but you’ll need to soak and cook dried beans ahead, or use pre-cooked fresh beans instead.
→ How should I keep leftovers?: Pop them in a sealed container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove.
→ Is freezing this an option?: Absolutely! Portion it out and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight for best results.
→ What to pair it with?: Try polenta, crunchy bread, or a fresh salad on the side to complete the meal.

Tangy Bean Broth

A Romanian classic with beans, fresh veggies, and a touch of tanginess. Great for chilly evenings or cozy meals.

Prep Time

10 Minutes

Cook Time

45 Minutes

Total Time

55 Minutes

By: Tina Martinez

Category: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Romanian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

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

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 cans of beans (white or kidney—your choice)

02 8 cups veggie broth

03 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

04 1 big onion, diced

05 4 tbsp tomato puree

06 1 cup bors or ½ cup lemon juice (use lemon if bors isn’t available)

07 ½ tsp black pepper

08 1 tsp salt

09 2 tbsp dried thyme

10 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

11 1 tbsp fresh dill, minced

→ Mixed Vegetables

12 1 celery stalk, chopped

13 1 grated carrot

14 1 small parsnip, shredded

15 1 chopped bell pepper

16 1 tomato, diced

Instructions

Step 01

Set a big pot on medium heat, then warm up 1 tbsp olive oil. Toss in the diced onion and gently cook for 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until it turns soft and lightly brown. Throw in the shredded parsnip, grated carrot, bell pepper, tomato chunks, and celery slices. Give everything a mix, and let it cook for 7–10 minutes until everything softens nicely.

Step 02

Sprinkle the thyme and dill over the veggies. Add the tomato puree, stir like a pro, and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to toss in some salt and pepper for a punch of flavor.

Step 03

Drain your canned beans, rinse off the extra liquid under cold water, and add them to the pot. Stir gently, then pour in the veggie broth, making sure everything is submerged. Turn the heat to low-medium and let everything simmer gently for about 20 minutes.

Step 04

Depending on what you’re using, pour in the bors or the lemon juice. Stir it all together and cook on low heat for another 10 minutes to bring out that tangy kick.

Step 05

Sprinkle in the fresh parsley, give it a final stir, and dish it up while it’s steamy hot. Traditional pairings? Go for fresh bread or polenta. Want to spice things up? Add a few spicy peppers or salted onion wedges on the side.

Notes

Don’t speed up the cooking process. Let the soup bubble away gently for the full 30 minutes so the flavors can really come together.

Want a heartier texture? Blend part of the veggies and beans with a stick blender before adding your bors.

Always have a taste before serving. Adjust the salt, lemon, or pepper level to make it just right.

Tools You'll Need

Big cooking pot

Strainer for rinsing beans

Wooden stirrer or spatula

Stick blender (optional, for making it thicker)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Safe for those avoiding gluten, as long as you use gluten-free broth and swap the bors for lemon juice.

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

Traditional Romanian Bean Broth