Hearty Black Bean Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Comfort comes calling with this soulful black bean soup recipe that promises warmth in every spoonful.

Packed with rich, hearty flavors, this simple soup delivers a delightful culinary experience.

Nutrition meets pure satisfaction through each carefully crafted ingredient.

The robust blend of spices dances perfectly with tender black beans, creating a memorable meal.

Weeknight dinners have never looked more inviting or tasted more delicious.

Home cooks seeking a quick, nourishing solution will adore this straightforward approach to a classic comfort dish.

Get ready to savor a soup that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Tools for a Hearty, Satisfying Soup

• Soup Pot: Large, deep pot for cooking and simmering soup.
• Immersion Blender: Essential tool for blending soup directly in the pot to desired consistency.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for chopping onions, bell pepper, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable chopping and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring spices like chili powder and cumin.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Lid: To cover pot while simmering soup.
• Regular Blender (Optional): Alternative to immersion blender for soup consistency.

Step-by-Step Directions for Black Bean Soup

• Soup Base Preparation

Kickstart your culinary adventure by warming olive oil in a cozy soup pot, creating a golden foundation for your delicious black bean soup.

• Aromatic Foundations

Toss in chopped onions and let them dance and soften, transforming into a sweet, caramelized canvas of flavor. Sprinkle minced garlic for an extra burst of warmth.

• Flavor Symphony

Combine all the vibrant ingredients – black beans, tomatoes, green chilies, red bell peppers, and a magical blend of spices. Each ingredient adds its own unique melody to the soup’s flavor profile.

• Simmering Magic

Let the pot come alive with a rolling boil, then gently lower the heat, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop deep, rich flavors. Cover the pot slightly, letting the steam work its enchantment.

• Texture Transformation

Create your perfect soup texture by blending portions of the soup. Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a standard blender, crafting a smooth or chunky experience tailored to your preference.

• Final Flourish

Brighten the soup with a splash of zesty lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, balancing the flavors to perfection.

• Serving Celebration

Ladle into bowls and crown with your favorite toppings – fresh cilantro, creamy sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, or smooth avocado slices.

Flavor Boosters That Work for This Soup

• Soup Savvy Secrets: Black Bean Bliss
• Texture Trick: Blend only half the soup for a rustic, chunky texture that keeps some whole beans intact for a heartier meal experience.
• Spice Symphony: Experiment with different chili peppers like poblano or jalapeño to add unique heat levels and subtle flavor complexity to your soup.
• Protein Power-Up: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy bacon bits for additional protein and a flavor boost that transforms the basic recipe.
• Storage Strategy: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Veggie Upgrade: Roast your bell peppers and green chilies before adding them to intensify their smoky sweetness and create deeper flavor layers in the soup.

Serve This Black Bean Soup Hot and Filling

• Fresh Cilantro Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top for a burst of bright, herbal flavor that complements the soup's rich and spicy profile.
• Creamy Avocado Topping: Slice or dice ripe avocado to add a smooth, buttery texture and cool contrast to the warm, robust soup.
• Crunchy Tortilla Strip Delight: Crisp up corn tortilla strips by quickly frying or baking them, then scatter over the soup for an exciting crunch that adds textural excitement.
• Tangy Sour Cream Swirl: Drop a dollop of cool sour cream in the center of each bowl, creating a beautiful contrast and mellowing the soup's spicy undertones.

Keep Soup Ready for Your Next Meal

• Smart Batch Cooking: Whip up a double batch of this black bean soup and store extra portions in airtight containers. Refrigerated soup stays fresh for 4-5 days, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Sealed soup maintains excellent quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
• Texture Restoration Tip: When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to revive the soup's creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even warming.
• Meal Prep Hack: Portion soup into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches. Pack toppings separately to keep them crisp and prevent soggy ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18-20 minutes

Total Time: 28-30 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Black Bean Soup Ingredients You’ll Rely On

• Olive Oil: Provides a silky foundation and helps sauté aromatics with rich undertones.
• Onion: Builds a deep, sweet aromatic base that enhances overall soup complexity.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent depth and creates a warming sensation in the soup.

• Black Beans: Creamy protein powerhouse that delivers hearty, earthy richness and satisfying thickness.
• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth: Delivers liquid depth and creates a seamless, flavorful cooking medium.

• Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Introduces smoky sweetness and tangy brightness with subtle charred notes.
• Green Chilies: Provides gentle heat and vibrant southwestern character.
• Red Bell Pepper: Contributes crisp sweetness and gorgeous color contrast.
• Chili Powder: Delivers warm, complex spiciness with traditional southwestern flair.
• Smoked Paprika: Infuses deep, smoky undertones that elevate the entire dish.
• Ground Cumin: Introduces earthy, warm aromatics typical in Mexican-inspired cuisine.

• Lime Juice: Brightens and balances flavors with sharp, citrusy freshness.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and harmonizes all existing flavor profiles.

• Cilantro: Adds fresh, herbal brightness.
• Sour Cream: Provides creamy, cooling contrast.
• Tortilla Strips: Introduces delightful crunch.

Hearty Black Bean Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 28-30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican-inspired easy black bean soup brings warmth to winter tables with robust spices and creamy texture. Fragrant cilantro and zesty lime elevate this simple dish, offering comfort and rich flavor for home cooks seeking delicious nutrition.

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Ingredients

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• 3 (14 oz/397 g) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups (473 mL) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 (14 oz/397 g) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chilies with juices
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Chopped cilantro (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)
• Tortilla strips (optional)
• Avocado (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: In a spacious pot, heat olive oil and caramelize onions until they turn golden and translucent, releasing their sweet undertones.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic, allowing its pungent essence to permeate the cooking environment and create a flavor foundation.
3. Liquid Composition: Combine vegetable broth with diced tomatoes, black beans, green chilies, red bell pepper, and a robust spice blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin.
4. Flavor Development: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, partially covering the pot to allow ingredients to marry and develop deep, complex flavors for 10 minutes.
5. Textural Transformation: Use an immersion blender to create a creamy consistency, strategically leaving some whole beans intact for textural intrigue and visual appeal.
6. Final Seasoning: Brighten the soup with fresh lime juice, then season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
7. Serving Artistry: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, offering an array of optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, or creamy avocado slices for personalized presentation.

Notes

• Caramelize Onions Carefully: Take time to slowly develop golden edges for deeper, sweeter flavor without burning.
• Blending Techniques Matter: Use immersion blender for smoother texture while keeping some whole beans for interesting mouthfeel; work in batches if using standard blender to prevent splattering.
• Spice Balance is Key: Adjust chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin gradually, tasting as you go to create perfect flavor harmony without overwhelming heat.
• Garnish Creatively: Choose fresh toppings like cilantro, sour cream, or avocado to add brightness, creaminess, and personal touch to each serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg