• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amira's Pantry
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • About me
  • Subscribe!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • About me
  • Subscribe!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » recipe » Bissara; Split fava beans dip

    Bissara; Split fava beans dip

    Published: Jan 1, 2020 · Modified: Feb 8, 2020 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Bissara is one of what I call "frugal recipes" in the Egyptian cuisine. This dish is economical, nutritious, and very easy to put together. Those of you who love falafel will most probably like this dish too.

    Green bissara dip on a white plate and garnished with fried onions.
    First Published: August 2013 Last Updated: January 2020

    Bissara

    I've always thought that bissara is sort of falafel pudding.. seriously. Bissara has all the flavors and ingredients of the Egyptian falafel but in a thick dip form :). I did not really enjoy it alot when I was little, but if you have been following me for sometime you know I did not like 99.9% of food in this world when I was growing up.
    When I first tried guacamole here in the United States, it reminded me so much of bissara. May be because they are both green!

    Bessara or Bissara is a vegan recipe made with boiling split beans, onion, garlic and fresh herbs. I used to saute onion and garlic first then add the rest of the ingredients and boil until beans are tender. This time I just dumped everything for an easier recipe.

    How to make bissara

    step by step images for making Egyptian bissara
    • In a deep pot over medium high heat add soaked and drained beans, onion, garlic and fresh herbs.
    • Add the cumin, dry mint, salt then pour in water to cover.
    • Bring everything to a boil then simmer stirring occasionally. If it soaked up all the water feel free to add more, half a cup at a time.
    • Keep cooking until the beans are very tender.
    bissara step by step
    • Using your hand blender or an ordinary blender blend all the ingredients together until very smooth.
    • Pour back into the pot and boil again.
    • Check seasonings adding more salt, cumin and black pepper to taste.
    • In a non stick skillet brown onions in some olive oil.
    • Pour the Bissara mixture in serving plates and garnish with browned onions. Serve hot or cold.
    A hand scooping up some bissara dip with pita bread

    How to eat bissara

    Bissara can be served hot or cold and is eaten as a dip or scoop up with some pita bread for lunch or a meatless dinner. I also love to serve bissara with some diced tomato mixed with one crushed garlic clove and some salt and cumin. It is so delicious and goes very well with bissara.

    white plates of bissara garnished with fried onion with a small bowl of tomato and pita bread on the side.

    Bissara vegan dip

    If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

    A plate of food, with Bissara and caramelized onions

    Bissara, fava beans dip

    A traditional Egyptian vegan fava bean dip that can be served in parties as a dip or scooped up with some pita bread for lunch or meatless dinner.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Egyptian, Mediterranean, Middle East
    Prep Time: 1 hour
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 5 servings
    Calories: 241.9kcal
    Author: Amira

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (180g) peeled and split fava beans, soaked in water for 1 hour.
    • 1/2 cup (15g) fresh parsley, coarsely chopped.
    • 1/2 cup (15g) fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped.
    • 1/4 cup (4g) fresh dill, coarsely chopped.
    • 1 (90g) small onion, quartered.
    • 3 (14g) garlic cloves.
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
    • 1 teaspoon dry mint.
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to your liking.
    • 2-3 cups water.
    • 1 medium onion chopped.
    • 1/4 cup Oil for frying onion.
    • More cumin, salt and black pepper to taste for final seasoning.

    Instructions

    • In a deep pot over medium high heat add soaked and drained beans, onion, garlic and fresh herbs.
    • Add the cumin, dry mint, salt then pour in water to cover.
    • Bring everything to a boil then simmer stirring occasionally. If it soaked up all the water feel free to add more, half a cup at a time.
    • Keep cooking until the beans are very tender.
    • Using your hand blender or an ordinary blender blend all the ingredients together until very smooth.
    • Pour back into the pot and boil again.
    • Check seasonings adding more salt, cumin and black pepper to taste.
    • In a non stick skillet brown onions in some olive oil.
    • Pour the Bissara mixture in serving plates and garnish with browned onions. Serve hot or cold.

    Notes

    Note1 : I use pink salt and the nutrition of this recipe is calculated for 1.5 teaspoon salt.
    Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 241.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.5g | Protein: 13.5g | Fat: 11.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 97.7mg | Potassium: 86.3mg | Fiber: 12.9g | Sugar: 4.8g | Vitamin A: 6.3IU | Vitamin C: 13.4mg | Iron: 18.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AmirasPantry or tag #AmirasPantry!

    Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

    « Easy Apple Strudel Recipe
    Baked Garlic Chicken Thighs »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    About Amira

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mohan

      December 17, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      Hello, Amira, I have made bissara a few times before, but today I am going to try your recipe, as it looks like a major upgrade to my recipe. One question: how do you get your fried onions to be so beautifully browned without burning? Whenever I fry onions like this, they either don't get past a light brown, or else they burn. What is your secret, if you don't mind sharing?

      Reply
      • Amira

        December 22, 2020 at 11:14 am

        Mohan, thank you for your comment and I hope you will like it. For the onions, you need to keep stirring it every 1-2 minutes so it does not burn and you can also lower the heat so it won't burn easily. I hope this helps.

        Reply
    2. Sarah Kaldas

      July 12, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Hello Amira, for the fava beans, do you use canned or dry?

      Reply
      • Amira

        July 17, 2020 at 7:14 pm

        Hello Sarah, this one if the split fava beans. It is sold dry in most Mediterranean stores.

        Reply
    3. Abeer

      January 22, 2020 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my Amira I've been looking for a good recipe that tastes like what my grandma used to make. This came out just like hers. My vegan friends liked it very mush.

      Reply
      • Amira

        January 23, 2020 at 11:32 am

        Abeer, this is awesome. I am happy your friends liked it and it brought back good old memories.

        Reply
    4. JH

      May 24, 2015 at 1:33 pm

      Tasted yummy, but came out liquidy for me. What do you think went wrong?

      Reply
      • Christine Raouf

        June 04, 2021 at 5:34 pm

        You may not add too much water at the begining as it easier to add if needed after blended.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT AMIRA'S PANTRY

    Amira Photo

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Read More…

    LOOKING FOR A RECIPE!

    Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

    Don't miss our Holiday Appetizers!

    Egyptian Recipes

    • Egyptian Falafel
    • Koshari; The National Dish of Egypt
    • Egyptian food; Fattah
    • Bamya (Okra Stew) recipe
    • Hawawshi (Arayes)
    • Basbousa (semolina cake)

    Popular Recipes

    • Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
    • Sausage Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • No Wine! Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
    • Chicken Francese Recipe; Without Wine
    • Alfredo Sauce Without Cream

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for our latest recipes

    Contact

    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2021 - Amira's Pantry

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.