Black Bean Soup Recipe
This hearty and flavorful Black Bean Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for any day. Made with black beans, vegetables, and a blend of spices, it delivers a smoky, slightly spicy taste with a zesty hint of lime. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this soup is great for vegan and vegetarian diets and can be customized to your preferred spice level.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Soup Base
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
Spices & Flavorings
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chipotle powder (or substitute with ½ tsp red pepper flakes + 1 tsp smoked paprika)
- 4 bay leaves
- ½ tsp salt, or more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 lime, juice + more for squeezing on top
Liquids & Beans
- 3 cups vegetable broth (or more to taste)
- 3 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed (or 4½ cups cooked black beans)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in grated garlic, ground cumin, and chipotle powder (or substitute blend). Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, and add the bay leaves. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Season and Finish: Remove bay leaves. Stir in salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice to taste.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with additional lime juice if desired. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh black beans if you prefer, but canned beans are more convenient and save time.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chipotle powder or using the red pepper flakes and smoked paprika substitute.
- For a creamier texture, blend part of the soup with an immersion blender or regular blender before serving.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- This soup is naturally vegan and vegetarian, and can be made gluten-free by verifying the brand of vegetable broth used.
Keywords: black bean soup, vegan soup, healthy soup, easy soup recipe, Mexican soup, vegetarian, gluten-free option