Hungarian Green Pea Soup – Zöldborsóleves

Hungarian Green Pea Soup, known as Zöldborsóleves, is a light, colorful, and comforting classic of Hungarian home cooking. Made with sweet green peas, carrots, parsley, and a flavorful broth, this soup is simple enough for a weekday meal but satisfying enough for a family dinner.

The soup in the photo has the classic rustic appearance, with plenty of bright green peas, tender carrots, chicken, rice, and fresh herbs in a golden, flavorful broth.

🇭🇺 What Is Zöldborsóleves?

Zöldborsóleves literally means “green pea soup” in Hungarian.

Traditional versions commonly combine fresh or frozen green peas with root vegetables and parsley. Some families add chicken, while others make a simple vegetable version.

Small dumplings, noodles, or rice can also be added to make the soup more filling.

🥕 Ingredients

For the Soup

• 2 cups (300 g) green peas, fresh or frozen
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small parsley root or parsnip, sliced
• 1 small piece celery root, diced
• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• ¼ cup uncooked white rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or lard
• 1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional

• 1 small green pepper
• 1 tomato
• Homemade dumplings or noodles
• A pinch of caraway seeds