Name: Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 (14 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices; 3 (14 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies with juices; 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon lime juice; Salt and pepper, to taste; Chopped cilantro; Sour cream; Tortilla strips; Avocado slices

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Introduction

Easy Black Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Packed with beans, spices, and a hint of smoky paprika, it’s comforting and simple to make. Customize it with your favorite toppings for a satisfying bowl.

A white bowl filled with thick, reddish-brown bean soup that has visible black beans and small pieces of tomato throughout. On top, there is a dollop of white cream in the center, surrounded by small green avocado cubes and chopped purple onions. Fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered evenly across the soup. A black spoon rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the soup. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 (14 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, with juices
3 (14 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, with juices
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings (optional): chopped cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, avocado, etc., to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned for extra flavor.
Step 2: Stir in minced garlic, then add broth, fire-roasted tomatoes with juices, black beans, green chilies with juices, chopped red bell pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin.
Step 3: Increase heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Cover the pot with the lid slightly open, reduce heat, and simmer for 8-10 minutes to meld flavors.
Step 4: Use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend most of the soup, leaving some chunks for texture. Allow the soup to cool slightly before blending if using a regular blender.
Step 5: Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. You may need to add a fair amount of salt to enhance the flavors.
Step 6: Serve the soup as is or topped with your choice of cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, avocado, or other preferred toppings.

Tips & Variations

Use vegetable broth to make this soup vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Leaving some beans whole adds nice texture, but blending the entire soup creates a creamier texture.
Stir in chopped fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added greens.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it becomes too thick.

How to Serve

A thick, creamy stew with a reddish-brown color fills a large pot with light beige interior, showing visible bits of black beans and small chunks of vegetables throughout. Bright green chopped herbs are sprinkled on top, adding contrast to the rich sauce. A large silver ladle lifts a scoop of the stew, displaying its dense texture with tiny flecks of black and green spread evenly inside the ladle. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried black beans instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to soak and cook dried black beans fully before using. This adds time but can enhance flavor and texture.

Is this soup gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check that your broth and canned goods do not contain any gluten additives.