How to Make Delicious Black Bean Soup from Scratch

Black bean soup is a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for any time of the year. It’s a great way to add more protein and fiber to your diet while enjoying a warm and comforting bowl of soup. Making black bean soup can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple and requires just a few ingredients.

To begin, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. You’ll need black beans, garlic, onions, tomatoes, vegetable broth, and some spices. Start by rinsing your black beans and setting them aside. Then, chop up your onions and garlic and sauté them in a large pot until they’re soft. Add your diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of your desired spices, like chili powder or cumin. Finally, add your black beans and vegetable broth, and let everything simmer together until the beans are tender. With just a few simple steps, you can create a hearty and flavorful black bean soup that is perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party with friends.

Section: How to Make Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is a delicious and healthy option for a meal, especially during the cold winter months. Making black bean soup may seem like a daunting task, but it is quite easy and very affordable. In this section, we will show you how to make a delicious and hearty black bean soup, step-by-step.

Gather Your Ingredients

The first step in making black bean soup is to gather all the necessary ingredients. You will need 2 cans of black beans, 3 cups of vegetable broth, 1 medium-sized onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and some fresh cilantro for garnishing.

Preparation

Once you have all the ingredients, start by washing and draining the black beans. Chop the onions, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and garlic into small pieces. Wash and chop some fresh cilantro for garnishing later.

Saute the Vegetables

In a large pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and garlic into the pot and saute for about 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent.

Add the Spices

Add the paprika and cumin into the pot and stir for another 2-3 minutes until the spices become fragrant.

Add the Black Beans and Broth

Add the black beans and vegetable broth into the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 12-15 minutes.

Puree the soup

Using an immersion blender, puree the soup in the pot until it becomes smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can puree the soup in batches using a traditional blender.

Season and Simmer

Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

Serve and Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with some fresh cilantro leaves. Serve the black bean soup with some warm crusty bread or tortilla chips.

Storage and Reheating

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the soup in a pot and heat on medium heat until it reaches your desired temperature.

Customize and Experiment

This recipe is quite versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences. You can add some diced tomatoes, corn, or carrots to the soup to make it heartier. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs such as thyme or oregano.

In conclusion, black bean soup is an easy and delicious meal that can be made in a jiffy. With a few simple ingredients and some creativity, this recipe can be transformed into a personalized version that suits your taste buds. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices to make it your own. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Before we dive into making black bean soup, we will need to gather all the required ingredients. Here’s a list of what you will need to make a delicious and hearty black bean soup:

1. Black beans

Of course, the most important ingredient in black bean soup is, well, black beans! A 16 oz bag of dried black beans is the perfect amount for a pot of soup. Rinse and sort the beans, removing any debris or stones before cooking.

2. Vegetables

For the base of the soup, you will need an onion, a green bell pepper, and a stalk of celery. These veggies add a ton of flavor and texture to the soup.

3. Garlic

Garlic is a staple in any soup recipe. You will need about 4 cloves, minced, to give the soup a distinct flavor.

4. Spices

A combination of cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano will give the soup a rich and savory taste. These four spices work together to create a depth of flavor that is irresistible.

5. Tomato paste

Tomato paste adds a subtle sweetness and a bright color to the soup. A 6 oz can of tomato paste should do the trick.

6. Broth

Chicken or vegetable broth will suffice, depending on your preference. You will need 8 cups of broth to cook the beans and vegetables.

7. Lime juice

The acidity of lime juice provides a brightness to the soup. A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving will really bring out the flavors of the soup.

8. Toppings

While the soup is delicious on its own, you can really take it to the next level with some toppings. Sour cream, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and cilantro are all great options!

9. Hot sauce

If you like a little heat in your soup, hot sauce is a great addition. A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can really spice things up.

10. Tortilla chips

Crushed tortilla chips make for a great garnish and add a little crunch to the soup. Plus, who doesn’t love a little extra carbs?

Ingredients for Black Bean Soup

Making a bang-up black bean soup is all about combining the right ingredients in just the right amounts. Some additions are traditional while others can be a bit unconventional. The following subheadings outline the crucial ingredients you need to have in your black bean soup.

Black Beans

As the name suggests, black beans are the fundamental component in black bean soup. A 16-ounce bag of dried black beans is adequate for making six to eight servings of soup. If you’re making the soup for a crowd, consider using more.

Black beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber, iron, and carbohydrates. They’re an essential ingredient in any healthy meal plan. If you’re using black beans from a can, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This will help to remove excess sodium and any other undesirable flavors.

Vegetables

The vegetable category comprises all fresh produce you want to add to your soup. Common veggies include celery, carrots, onions, bell peppers, and garlic. These veggies impart various flavors, nutrients, and texture to the soup and add fuel to your day. When choosing vegetables, make sure they are of high quality.

If you want to add an unexpected twist to your soup, you can try adding sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, collard greens, chard, or kale. You can select vegetables that are in season or readily available in your region. Whatever veggies you choose, make sure you wash them thoroughly and chop them into bite-sized pieces to make them more manageable to cook.

Stock or Broth

A good stock or broth acts as the soup’s foundation and imparts flavor. It is one of the most critical ingredients in making soup. You can use homemade stock or buy store-bought stock. Chicken, beef, vegetable, and bone broth all work well in black bean soup.

If you have time to spare, you can make your own stock by simmering the bones and scraps of your preferred protein. Doing this creates a delicious, flavorful broth that you can use in various recipes, including soups. If you’re going for a vegetarian or vegan option, you can use vegetable stock or broth.

Spices and Herbs

Spices and herbs are the magic ingredients that transform ordinary soup into a delightful dish. Cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika, oregano, and bay leaves are commonly used in black bean soup. The herbs used differ by recipe, but cilantro and thyme are two excellent choices that add another layer of flavor to the soup.

To get the most out of your spices, toast them in a pan before adding them to the soup. This process brings out their flavors and enhances the soup’s overall taste.

Garnish

Garnishes are the final touches to any soup. Sliced avocado, freshly chopped cilantro, sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crumbled tortilla chips are all great options for garnishing your black bean soup. They compliment the soup’s flavor and texture, making it look more appetizing.

You can combine different garnishes to create unique, flavorful combinations. Be careful not to overdo it, though, since too many toppings can overwhelm the soup’s flavor. And, as always, ensure that your garnishes are fresh and clean.

Now that we’ve covered the essential ingredients of black bean soup, in the next section, we’ll discuss its preparation.

Stay Warm and Enjoy the Comforting Flavors of Black Bean Soup

Now that you know how to make a delicious and hearty black bean soup, it’s time to get cooking! Remember to use fresh ingredients and don’t be afraid to add your own twist to the recipe. We hope you enjoyed reading this guide and feel inspired to try making this soup at home. Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back for more tasty recipe ideas!