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 simple paprika-flavored broth, this traditional soup is fresh enough for spring and hearty enough for a family lunch.

A small amount of flour and paprika is often used to create a flavorful Hungarian-style base, while tiny csipetke noodles can be added for an authentic touch.

🇭🇺 What Is Zöldborsóleves?

In Hungarian, zöldborsó means green peas and leves means soup.

Traditional Zöldborsóleves is usually made with fresh or frozen green peas and simple vegetables. Unlike heavy cream-based pea soups, this Hungarian version is generally light and brothy, allowing the natural sweetness of the peas to shine.

It is often served as a first course, but with bread or csipetke, it can also make a satisfying light meal.

🥣 Ingredients

For the Soup

• 4 cups (600 g) fresh or frozen green peas
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 small parsnip, peeled and sliced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• 8 cups (2 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Optional Csipetke

• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• Pinch of salt

Optional

• ½ teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika
• 1 small potato, diced
• A splash of lemon juice