Easy Greek White Bean Soup with Garlic & Lemon Recipe for Cozy Nights

Greek white bean soup captures the essence of Mediterranean comfort food with its soul-warming simplicity.

Creamy legumes mingle with robust seasonings, creating a harmonious culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this nutritious recipe, changeing humble ingredients into a delectable feast.

The delicate balance of garlic and lemon changes ordinary beans into an extraordinary dish that dances across your palate.

Earthy undertones blend seamlessly with bright, zesty notes, offering a symphony of flavors that reflect the region’s rich culinary heritage.

Wholesome and satisfying, this soup represents more than just a meal—it’s a cultural connection to traditional Greek cooking.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that nourishes both body and spirit.

Why Greek White Bean Soup Is Pure Mediterranean Comfort

• Savor Hearty Nutrition: Packed with 9g fiber and 8g protein, this Greek white bean soup delivers a powerhouse of nutrients that keep you full and energized throughout the day.
• Embrace Simple Cooking Elegance: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice cooks can master this traditional Mediterranean dish without complicated techniques.
• Unlock Vibrant Flavor Layers: The combination of garlic, lemon zest, and fresh vegetables creates a bright, zesty profile that transforms humble white beans into a deliciously complex meal perfect for cozy dinners or light lunch options.
• Celebrate Wellness in a Bowl: Low in calories (310 kcal), cholesterol-free, and loaded with plant-based goodness, this soup offers a nutritious option that doesn't compromise on taste or satisfaction.

What Goes Into This Lemony, Garlicky Goodness

• White Beans: Creamy, hearty legume that forms the core of the soup with rich protein and soft texture.
• Water or Vegetable Stock: Essential liquid base for creating a flavorful and hydrating soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic Mediterranean flavor builders that provide deep, savory undertones to the soup.
• Celery, Carrot: Fresh vegetables that add natural sweetness and depth to the soups overall profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasoning that balances and elevates the soups taste.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Citrusy elements that add freshness, brightness, and a classic Greek culinary touch.
• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth cooking fat that helps sauté vegetables and adds authentic Mediterranean character.

How to Simmer a Satisfying Pot of Flavor

Step 1: Prepare the Beans

Drain the pre-soaked white beans and briefly boil them for 3-4 minutes. Drain the beans and set them aside for later use.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until they turn golden and release a fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Add the prepared beans to the pot along with 1.5 liters of water or a combination of water and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 2 hours.

Step 4: Enhance with Vegetables

• Chopped celery
• Diced carrots
• Salt
• Black pepper

Continue simmering until the soup reaches a thick, hearty consistency.

Step 5: Finish with Citrus Brightness

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest to the soup. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and serve hot in warm bowls.

Tips to Get Creamy Beans and Bright Broth

• Select Premium Beans: Choose high-quality, fresh dried white beans like Great Northern or cannellini for the most tender and creamy texture.
• Master Soaking Technique: Soak beans overnight in cold water to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, ensuring even and smooth cooking.
• Control Simmering Heat: Maintain a gentle, low simmer to prevent beans from breaking apart and to develop rich, deep flavors throughout the soup.
• Balance Liquid Ratio: Add extra vegetable stock or water if the soup becomes too thick, creating a perfect consistency that's neither too watery nor too dense.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Taste and adjust seasoning near the end of cooking, adding a touch more lemon zest or fresh herbs like oregano to brighten the final dish.

How to Store and Reheat Without Losing Depth

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed soup stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before transferring to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving an inch of space at the top for expansion. Frozen soup maintains excellent quality for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until the soup reaches 165°F to ensure food safety, then serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon for extra brightness.

What to Serve with This Greek Classic

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A zesty Assyrtiko from Santorini perfectly complements the soup's lemony brightness and cuts through the creamy bean texture, enhancing the Mediterranean flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Rustic, tangy sourdough provides a delightful contrast to the smooth soup, allowing diners to soak up the rich, garlicky broth with each hearty bite.
• Match with Greek Salad Side: A fresh horiatiki salad with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and kalamata olives offers a vibrant, crunchy counterpoint to the warm, comforting soup, creating a balanced meal.
• Complement with Herbal Greek Ouzo: A small glass of anise-flavored ouzo can cleanse the palate between spoonfuls, adding a traditional Greek touch that elevates the entire dining experience.

Flavorful Swaps That Keep It Exciting

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace standard water with vegetable stock and add fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano for an aromatic Greek countryside flavor profile.
• Tomato Enhanced Version: Incorporate diced fresh tomatoes or tomato paste during the simmering stage to create a richer, more robust soup with deeper Mediterranean undertones.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in chopped spinach leaves and crumbled feta cheese during the final cooking stage, increasing nutritional value and adding a creamy texture to the traditional recipe.
• Spicy Greek Edition: Introduce red pepper flakes and a dash of smoked paprika while sautéing onions to give the soup a subtle heat and smoky complexity that complements the lemony base.

Greek White Bean Soup With Garlic & Lemon Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Greek fasolada warms hearts with Mediterranean comfort. Hearty white beans simmer in a zesty broth of garlic, lemon, and herbs, offering a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Beans:

• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) cannellini beans or other small white beans, soaked overnight

Vegetables:

• 1 carrot, sliced very thinly
• 1 stick of celery, finely chopped
• ½ onion, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) vegetable stock (optional)

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Instructions

1. Rinse pre-soaked white beans thoroughly and par-boil in a large pot for 3-4 minutes, ensuring rapid water circulation to remove any impurities. Carefully drain and reserve beans.
2. Warm extra virgin olive oil in a substantial cooking pot over moderate heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they transform into a translucent, golden-edged mixture with a fragrant aroma.
3. Incorporate the par-boiled beans into the aromatic base, then pour in of water or a combination of water and vegetable stock. Bring the liquid to a robust boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle, consistent simmer.
4. Allow the soup to gently bubble for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent bean adhesion to the pot’s bottom.
5. Introduce diced celery, chopped carrots, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Continue simmering until the soup develops a rich, hearty consistency with beans becoming tender and liquid slightly thickened.
6. Finish the soup by stirring in freshly squeezed lemon juice and delicate lemon zest. Permit the flavors to meld for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
7. Serve piping hot, optionally garnishing with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh parsley for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and helps eliminate gas-causing compounds.
• Choose fresh, high-quality dried white beans like great northern or cannellini for best texture.
• Vegetable stock can replace water to enhance the soup’s depth and complexity of flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil from Greece adds authentic regional character and richness.
• Adjust liquid consistency by adding more water if soup becomes too thick during simmering.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 9g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg