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Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe

4.9 from 80 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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