Cozy Up with Easy Black Bean Soup
When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hearty soup to warm you up. This Easy Black Bean Soup is a simple, flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Filled with nutritious black beans and a blend of spices, it’s both comforting and satisfying. Plus, it’s versatile enough to please everyone, whether you serve it up with a variety of toppings or enjoy it as a robust stand-alone dish.
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
- ½ red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, avocado
Directions:
1. Sauté Onions and Garlic:
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
2. Combine Ingredients:
- Pour in the broth, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, black beans, green chilies, and red bell pepper. Sprinkle in the chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Stir everything together to combine well.
3. Simmer the Soup:
- Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Blend for Texture:
- Use an immersion blender to puree some of the soup directly in the pot to your desired consistency. For a smoother texture, carefully blend portions of the soup in a stand blender, then return to the pot. Always exercise caution when blending hot liquids.
5. Final Touches:
- Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings if necessary to suit your palate.
6. Serve and Garnish:
- Ladle the soup into bowls. If desired, garnish with toppings like chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, or slices of avocado for an added touch of flavor and texture.
Nutritional Information:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 250 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4
This Easy Black Bean Soup is not only a delight to make but also a joy to eat. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need something quick and satisfying without compromising on taste or health. Enjoy this warming soup on its own, or pair it with a side salad or quesadilla for a more filling meal. Dive into the rich, spicy flavors that make this soup a comforting winter staple!
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Easy Black Bean Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Easy Black Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for those chilly days when you need something warm and comforting. The combination of fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky paprika, and a hint of lime creates a rich and satisfying soup that’s both filling and nutritious. The black beans add plenty of protein and fiber, making this soup a great choice for a healthy, balanced meal.
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
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings (optional): chopped cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, avocado, etc.
Instructions
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.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), black beans, diced green chilies (with their juices), chopped red bell pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin to the pot. Stir to combine.
Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, reduce the heat to low, and let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, blend most of the soup to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer portions of the soup to a regular blender, blend, and return it to the pot. Be cautious, as the soup is hot.
Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve the soup as-is or with your choice of toppings, such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, or avocado.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 250