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    Home » Soups

    Black Bean Soup

    Published: Apr 29, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Black bean soup is a tasty, nutritious, and hearty meal that's easy to prepare with everyday ingredients and even easier to customize to make it more or less spicy, smokey, or creamy with simple toppings and spices.

    It's packed with protein, fibers, and antioxidants; it'll satisfy your hunger and cravings and make you beg for more.

    Black bean soup with avocado, lime and cilantro

    Check out our Best Soup Recipes

    You'll love this black bean soup recipe because of its rich and hearty taste, spicy and smokey notes, and creamy texture.

    Also, did we mention is ridiculously easy to prepare? After making a quick flavor base with onion, celery, carrot, and garlic and adding some cumin, broth, black beans, and tomatoes, the soup will take care of itself.

    Let it simmer for about 25 minutes, and you'll be rewarded with an incredible combination of flavors and aromas.

    The black beans shine in this dish. They add a bold, earthy, and almost meaty flavor, and they pack the recipe with protein, fiber, and antioxidants that will make you feel nourished and healthy.

    One ingredient that we list as optional is chipotle powder (which is our new obsession), but If you like spicy and smokey food, you've got to try it here; your taste buds will eternally thank you!

    Chipotle powder is chili powder made from smoked and dried jalapeño peppers. It has a smoky, sweet, barbeque-y, and spicy flavor that adds incredible depth and heat to this black bean soup.

    Chipotle or not, this soup is a winning recipe, and we are thrilled for you to try it. Let us know what you think in the comments below 🙂

    Black bean soup with avocado slices

    Ingredients

    Black bean soup ingredients

    Flavor base

    You'll need olive oil, carrot, onion, celery, and garlic. Finely chopped or blitzed up in a food processor and gently cooked in olive oil, these veggies will give your black bean soup a full, round flavor.

    Herbs and spices

    We recommend bay leaves and ground cumin; they are meant to go with black beans.

    Optionally, add some chipotle powder for a mouthwatering smokey, and spicy flavor.

    We list this as optional because you might not have it in your pantry; however, chipotle powder is the way to go if you want to make the best black bean soup.

    Alternatively, you can use Chipotle in adobo sauce. They come in a can, and one Chipotle is enough.

    You can substitute a combination of smoked paprika and chili powder to get a somewhat similar smokey and spicy flavor.

    Black beans

    We use canned black beans to make the recipe as a weeknight dinner.

    If you want to use dry black beans, add more broth and let the soup simmer for about one to one and a half hours.

    Dry black beans don't require overnight soaking; let them simmer with the other ingredients until tender.

    Broth

    We use low-sodium vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian and vegan. However, other broth, including chicken broth, works well in this recipe.

    Tomatoes

    We recommend canned diced tomatoes. However, you can also use other canned tomatoes, including whole canned peeled tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, and fire-roasted tomatoes.

    Salt and Pepper

    Season with sea salt and black pepper.

    Lime

    Freshly squeezed lime juice is a must in this recipe because it adds a splash of acidity and freshness, allowing the other flavors to come out.

    We like to add the lime juice at the very end once the soup is in the bowl. This way, the fragrant lime aroma won't be cooked away.

    Optional Toppings

    • Cilantro or fresh coriander, flat-leaf parsley, or oregano (strongly recommended).
    • Sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole (strongly recommended).
    • Pico de Gallo or salsa.
    • Tortilla chips.
    • Sour cream or vegan sour cream.
    • Jalapeños or hot sauce.
    Black bean soup with silver spoon and hand

    Instructions

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm up the olive oil, add coarsely chopped onion, celery, and carrot, and fry them gently for 5 minutes, stirring often.

    Add pressed or grated garlic, cumin, chipotle powder, and fry for one more minute or until you smell their fragrant aroma.

    carrots, celery and onion in a casserole

    Add vegetable broth, drained and rinsed black beans, canned tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper, stir, cover with a lid, bring to a boil, then crack the top open and simmer on medium heat for about 25 minutes.

    Black bean soup simmering

    To make the soup extra creamy, blend 1 to 2 cups with an immersion blender.

    Black bean soup and blender

    Give it a final stir, taste, and adjust for salt and spices.

    Black bean soup with chunky beans

    Serve in bowls, topped with fresh cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime juice.

    Note: the lime juice is essential to have the best flavor.

    Black bean soup with parsley and lime juice

    Serving suggestions

    Serve this soup as a main dish with a variety of toppings, such as:

    • Sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole.
    • Cashew sour cream, regular sour cream, or plain yogurt.
    • Jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
    • Tortilla chips or toasted tortilla.
    • A dollop of salsa or pico de Gallo.

    You can pair it with a side of fresh bread:

    • Homemade flatbread
    • Rosemary focaccia
    • Tomato Bruschetta
    • Garlic and oil naan bread
    • homemade pita bread
    • Piadina stacked on a plate
      Piadina (Italian Flatbread)
    • focaccia with rosemary
      Focaccia
    • Bruschetta with fresh basil
      Bruschetta
    • homemade naan bread
      Naan Bread

    Storage

    Make ahead: our black bean soup recipe is excellent to make ahead and for meal prep as it keeps well in the fridge for days, and its flavor improves on the second day. So go ahead and make a big batch so you have it ready for the week.

    Refrigerator: let it cool down, transfer it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for four days. Reheat only the portions you'll eat in a microwave for 3 minutes or in a pot on the stove.

    Freezer: let the soup cool down, then transfer it to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator or the microwave.

    More black bean recipes

    Check out our easy, healthy, and delicious black bean recipes:

    • Black bean salad (roasted sweet potatoes, bell pepper, avocado, corn, red onion, etc.)
    • Breakfast burritos (tofu, black beans, turmeric, onion, garlic, bell pepper, etc.)
    • Sweet potato hash (black beans, onion, garlic, cumin, scallions, sweet potatoes, etc.)
    • Microwave sweet potato (sweet potato, corn, black beans, sour cream, cilantro, etc.)
    black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing
    Black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing.

    More soup recipes

    Want more easy, healthy, and tasty soups? Here are some of our favorites:

    • Lentil vegetable soup (lentils, carrot, onion, garlic, turmeric, spinach, canned tomatoes, etc.)
    • Vegetable soup (white beans, cauliflower, potato, cauliflower, green beans, onion, garlic, etc.)
    • Kale soup (dinosaur kale, white beans, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, carrots, etc.)
    • Tuscan bean soup (celery, carrot, leek, tomato paste, chard, cabbage, white beans, etc.)
    • Chickpea soup (potato, onion, celery, carrot, chickpeas, rosemary, leek, etc.)
    • Lentil vegetable soup with spoon
      Lentil Vegetable Soup
    • Tuscan soup with spoon and bread
      Tuscan Soup
    • chickpea soup with bread
      Chickpea Soup
    • vegetable soup in a white bowl
      Vegetable Soup

    For more curries, stews, and soups, check out our soups category page.

    Recipe

    Black bean soup with lime and cilantro

    Black Bean Soup

    Author: Nico
    Black bean soup is a tasty, nutritious, and hearty meal that's easy to prepare with everyday ingredients and even easier to customize to make it more or less spicy, smokey, or creamy with simple toppings and spices.
    It's packed with protein, fibers, and antioxidants; it'll satisfy your hunger and cravings and make you beg for more.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main, Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 305 kcal

    Equipment

    • Immersion blender or regular blender

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 large onion chopped
    • 2 medium carrots chopped
    • 2 ribs celery chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic grated
    • 2 teaspoons cumin ground
    • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 3 cans (15-oz each) black beans
    • 3 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 can (15-oz) diced tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 limes
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm up 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add 1 large onion, 2 medium carrots, and 2 ribs celery (all chopped), and fry them gently for 5 minutes, stirring often.
      Add 4 cloves garlic (grated), 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder, and fry for one more minute or until you smell their fragrant aroma.
      carrots, celery and onion in a casserole
    • Add 3 cups vegetable broth, 3 cans (15-oz each) black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can (15-oz) diced tomatoes, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, stir, cover with a lid, bring to a boil, then crack the top open and simmer on medium heat for about 25 minutes.
      Black bean soup simmering
    • To make the soup extra creamy, blend 1 to 2 cups with an immersion blender.
      Black bean soup and blender
    • Give it a final stir, taste, and adjust for salt and spices.
      Black bean soup with chunky beans
    • Serve in bowls, top with a generous squeeze of lime juice. Optionally, you can garnish with fresh cilantro, and sliced avocado.
      Note: the lime juice is essential to have the best flavor.
      Black bean soup with avocado slices

    Video Recipe

    Black Bean Soup (healthy & easy dinner idea)

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of black bean soup out of 3 servings, without toppings.
    HOW TO SUBSTITUTE CHIPOTLE POWDER
    Chipotle powder adds a deep smokey and spicy flavor that's hard to replicate with other spices. Our recommendation is to combine 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
    Alternatively, you can use Chipotle in adobo sauce. They come in a can, and one Chipotle is enough.
    TOPPINGS & PAIRINGS
    Serve this soup as a main dish with a variety of toppings, such as:
    • Sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole.
    • Cashew sour cream, regular sour cream, or plain yogurt.
    • Jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
    • Tortilla chips or toasted tortilla.
    • A dollop of salsa or pico de Gallo.
     
    Pair it with a side of fresh bread like:
    • Homemade flatbread
    • Rosemary focaccia
    • Tomato Bruschetta
    • Garlic and oil naan bread
    • Warm pita bread
     
    STORAGE
    Make ahead: our black bean soup recipe is excellent to make ahead and for meal prep as it keeps well in the fridge for days, and its flavor improves on the second day. So go ahead and make a big batch so you have it ready for the week.
    Refrigerator: let it cool down, transfer it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for four days. Reheat only the portions you'll eat in a microwave for 3 minutes or in a pot on the stove.
    Freezer: let the soup cool down, then transfer it to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator or the microwave.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Black Bean Soup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    305
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    1023
    mg
    29
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    48
    g
    16
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    17
    g
    71
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    5492
    IU
    110
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.4
    mg
    20
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    30
    mg
    36
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    2
    mg
    13
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    18
    µg
    17
    %
    Calcium
     
    150
    mg
    15
    %
    Folate
     
    141
    µg
    35
    %
    Iron
     
    6
    mg
    33
    %
    Manganese
     
    1
    mg
    50
    %
    Magnesium
     
    91
    mg
    23
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked this black bean soup, you might also enjoy:

    • meatless meals with dinner and lunch
      40 Easy Meatless Meals
    • Easy avocado ideas
      25 Avocado Recipes
    • Easy dinners pasta and stuffed veggies
      40 easy dinners
    • Tasty vegetarian meal ideas
      30 Tasty Vegetarian Recipes
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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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