Боб чорба

Name: Боб чорба
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Bulgarian
Ingredients: 400g dried white beans, soaked overnight; 2 large onions, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 2 tomatoes, grated or 200g canned tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 3 tbsp sunflower oil; 2 tsp paprika; 1 tsp dried spearmint; Salt and black pepper; Fresh parsley

Боб чорба (BOB CHOR-bah)

Bulgarian Bean Soup

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 278 kcal

A thick, warming soup of white beans, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, and mint, simmered until the beans are creamy and the broth rich. Bulgaria's most iconic everyday soup.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 42.0g

Fat 6.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot cutting board knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep ceramic bowl

Garnishes: fresh parsley, paprika oil drizzle

Accompaniments: crusty bread, hot peppers, vinegar

Ingredients

400g dried white beans, soaked overnight
2 large onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 tomatoes, grated or 200g canned tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp sunflower oil
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried spearmint
Salt and black pepper
Fresh parsley

Instructions

1
Drain soaked beans, place in a large pot with fresh cold water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse. This removes compounds that cause digestive discomfort.
2
Return beans to the pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes until beans begin to soften.
3
In a separate pan, saute onions in sunflower oil until golden. Add carrots, pepper, paprika, and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes.
4
Add the sauteed vegetables and grated tomatoes to the beans. Continue simmering for another 30-40 minutes until beans are very tender and creamy.
5
Season with salt, black pepper, and dried spearmint. The mint is essential and transforms the soup from ordinary to distinctly Bulgarian.
6
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by hot peppers and crusty bread.

💡

Did You Know?

Bob chorba is so beloved that January 1st in Bulgaria is unofficially called "bean soup day," as Bulgarians eat it to recover from New Year's Eve celebrations.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
cutting board
knife

Garnishing

fresh parsley, paprika oil drizzle

Accompaniments

crusty bread, hot peppers, vinegar

The Story Behind Боб чорба

Bean soup has been a staple of Bulgarian cuisine since medieval times, when beans were the primary protein source for the common people. The addition of spearmint, which distinguishes Bulgarian bob chorba from similar Balkan bean soups, is thought to have originated in monastery kitchens where monks cultivated herb gardens. During the Ottoman period, meatless bob chorba sustained the population during frequent fasting periods.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, especially in winter 📜 Origins: Medieval Bulgaria

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