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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Sauté Base: In a spacious pot, heat olive oil and caramelize onions until they turn golden and translucent, releasing their sweet undertones.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic, allowing its pungent essence to permeate the cooking environment and create a flavor foundation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Textural Transformation: Use an immersion blender to create a creamy consistency, strategically leaving some whole beans intact for textural intrigue and visual appeal.
- 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.
- 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