Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

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Embark on a culinary journey to Turkey with a bowl of this authentic and easy Turkish Bean Soup with bulgur recipe, a wholesome and flavorful dish deeply rooted in the country’s rich gastronomic heritage. This hearty soup, known as “Kuru Fasulye Çorbası” in Turkish, reflects the warmth of Turkish hospitality and the art of combining simple ingredients to create a symphony of taste. Let’s dive into the aromatic world of Turkish cuisine with this authentic bean soup recipe.

This delightful soup is fresh and hearty with navy beans, tomatoes, and wheat bulgur. The flavors are rich and exciting in this delicious recipe. My family loves soup night, and these artisan rolls are the perfect accompaniment. 

Ingredients For Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

• 2 15-ounce cans of navy beans, rinsed well
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes (regular or fire-roasted)
• 1 cup bulgur
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups of water
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Optional Add-ins

• Green peppers
• Rotisserie chickens – shredded
• Fresh dill
• Bay leaf
• Red onions

Instructions For Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

1. Sauté Aromatics- In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.

2. Incorporate Tomato Paste -Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to enhance its flavor.

3. Add Tomatoes and Spices- Add the chopped tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a fragrant base for the soup.

4. Introduce the Beans- Add the rinsed cooked beans to the pot and coat them with the aromatic mixture.

5. Pour in Liquids- Pour in the vegetable broth or chicken broth and the water, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 45-60 minutes. Stir often.

6. Adjust Seasoning- Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.

7. Serve and Garnish- Ladle the Turkish Bean Soup into bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

8. Enjoy the Turkish Bean Soup- Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of this Turkish classic. The combination of tender beans, aromatic spices, and the zing of lemon juice will transport you to the vibrant streets of Istanbul.

Alternative Bean Varieties

• Navy beans
• Cannellini beans
• Great northern beans
• White kidney beans
• Turkish white beans
• Pinto beans
• Lima beans
• Butter beans

Dried beans are a great choice, make sure to pre-cook them first. Dry beans are a great way to cut back on sodium. Canned beans have more sodium, but rinsing them well helps reduce it. 

Turkish Cuisine 

Turkish cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that reflects the country’s history, geography, and cultural influences. Influenced by a fusion of Ottoman, Persian, Arab, Balkan, and Central Asian cuisines, Turkish dishes are known for their use of fresh and high-quality ingredients, bold flavors, and a wide variety of spices. This soup is a delicious vegetarian version of Turkish cooking. 

Key Ingredients found in Turkish food:

• Meats: Lamb, beef, and poultry are commonly used in Turkish dishes. Kebabs, grills, and stews are popular meat preparations.
• Vegetables: Eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis, and legumes are staples in Turkish cuisine.
• Herbs and Spices: Mint, parsley, dill, cumin, coriander, and sumac are frequently used to add flavor to dishes.
• Dairy: Yogurt and cheese, especially feta-like white cheese, are integral to many Turkish recipes.
• Grains: Rice and bulgur (as seen in the above photo) are commonly used, and bread is a fundamental part of Turkish meals.

Storing Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

Store any leftover bean soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. This soup can also be frozen for up to 6 months.

Serving Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

This Turkish white bean stew can be made ahead of time – it’s even better the next day. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Lemon Wedges
• Artisan rolls (fresh crusty bread)
• Irish soda bread
• Julekake
• Irish Pasties
• Baked chicken breasts
• BBQ sandwiches on these one-hour burger buns
• Red cabbage salad
• Fresh green beans (haricot beans)
• Bean salads
• Babka

Wrapping Up Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

Experience the essence of Turkish hospitality with a bowl of Turkish Bean Soup. This comforting stew fills your home with the scents of authentic Turkish flavors and invites you to savor the soul-soothing warmth that defines the heart of Turkish cuisine. Afiyet Olsun! (Enjoy your meal!)

Recipe Card For Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur

5 from 1 vote

Authentic And Easy Turkish Bean Soup With Bulgur Recipe

A delicious and rich tomato based soup filled with white beans and flavored with herbs and spices.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:8 minutes mins

Cook Time:1 hour hr

Total Time:1 hour hr 8 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 2 15-ounce cans of navy beans rinsed well
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 1 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes regular or fire-roasted
• 1 cup bulgur
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups of water
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

• Sauté Aromatics- In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
• Incorporate Tomato Paste -Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to enhance its flavor.
• Add Tomatoes and Spices- Add the chopped tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a fragrant base for the soup.
• Introduce the Beans- Add the rinsed cooked beans to the pot and coat them with the aromatic mixture.
• Pour in Liquids- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and the water, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 45-60 minutes. Stir often.
• Adjust Seasoning- Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
• Serve and Garnish- Ladle the Turkish Bean Soup into bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

This soup tastes even better the next day!

Servings: 8 people

Author: Sarah