Italian Borlotti Beans Soup (Cranberry Beans soup)

Easy Italian borlotti beans soup recipe, featuring canned or dried borlotti beans (also called cranberry beans) as main ingredient. Packed with fresh kale, potatoes, carrots and onions and spiced up with simple herbs, this hearty soup can be prepared on the stove top, Slow cooker or pressure cooker. Vegetarian, vegan friendly.

Today we’re cooking up a lovely Italian soup with borlotti beans and plenty of fresh vegetables. This hearty dish has countless variations across Italy, as every family adds its own touch. True to Italian cuisine, it strikes the perfect balance of flavors and ingredients, making it a satisfying meal on its own.

If you love beans, don’t miss my simple Instant Pot white bean soup – it can also be made on the stovetop with a slightly longer cooking time. But for now, let’s focus on borlotti beans – let me show you how I make this comforting soup!

Ingredients & Substitutions

1. Borlotti beans – from a can or precooked dry borlotti beans at home. Substitute with cannellini or kidney beans if needed
2. Onion – spring onion or regular onion
3. Potato – finely chopped
4. Kale – chopped
5. Red bell pepper– chopped
6. Carrot – chopped
7. Olive oil, extra virgin
8. Tomato paste – for taste and color
9. Spices: salt, black pepper, sage, thyme, marjoram, paprika, garlic leaves

TIP: If using dried borlotti beans, soak them overnight or in boiling water for 2-4 hours until they double or triple in size. Drain and wash well from soaking water. Then cook as usual. Nevertheless, bear in mind cooking time will vary depending on the type of beans used.

How to cook Borlotti beans soup?

1st: Just sauté all vegetables in olive oil, then add remaining ingredients (precooked beans too) and bring to a boil.

2nd: Simmer until fully cooked on the stove. Season further if needed.

What are borlotti beans?

Borlotti beans are a type of legume that is widely consumed in Italy and Portugal. Often times called cranberry beans, these little bean species come in a rainbow of colors. During cooking (or canning) they often use their coloring and fade into light brown.

Similarly to their cousin kidney beans, borlotti beans are used in the preparation of variety of dishes such as soups, stews, salads. Historically speaking cranberry beans are native to Americas. However, a long time ago they were introduced to Europeans. And we’ve never looked back.

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