Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe
This easy black bean soup is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. Made with fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, and a blend of smoky spices, it’s simple to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings like cilantro, sour cream, or avocado. The soup is partially blended to retain a satisfying chunky texture, making it both comforting and nutritious.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main 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 & 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 & pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro (recommended)
- Sour cream
- Tortilla strips
- Avocado slices
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned for added flavor.
- Add Garlic and Ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic until fragrant. Then add the chicken or vegetable broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, drained black beans, diced green chilies with juices, chopped red bell pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Mix well.
- Simmer the Soup: Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 8-10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Blend the Soup: Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend most of the soup until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency but still has some chunky texture. Be cautious if using a regular blender by letting the soup cool slightly before blending.
- Finish and Season: Stir in the lime juice and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, adding a generous amount of salt as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of optional toppings such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, or avocado slices.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth to make the soup vegetarian or vegan.
- If you prefer a smoother soup, blend all of the soup completely.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust the level of chili powder and green chilies according to your desired spice level.
- For an extra protein boost, add cooked diced chicken or sausage if desired.
Keywords: black bean soup, easy soup recipe, healthy black bean soup, vegetarian soup, quick dinner soup, fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky soup