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5.0 from 18 votes

The Best Black Bean Soup Recipe

This is the BEST and most delicious Black Bean Soup recipe! Creamy, comforting and full of flavor, this easy vegetarian soup can be made with dried beans or with canned beans to save you time on busy days. Top it with a dollop of chipotle crema for a little spicy kick! GF

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 205 kcal
Course: Main Course , Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Soup
  • 1 pound dried black beans OR three (15.5-ounce) cans black beans
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped (large or med onion)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 celery rib, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¼ cup tequila (sub with broth)
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 ounces can diced green chiles (mild or hot)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro plus more for garnish
  • juice of ½ lime about 2 tablespoons or to taste
  • salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
  • Sour Cream or Chipotle crema (recipe below)
  • Tortilla chips, avocado slices, cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped onions, cheddar cheese,
Chipotle Crema
  • ½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1-2 tablespoons chipotles chiles in adobo sauce, seeded and finely chopped with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the adobo sauce.
  • ½ teaspoon lime juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. If using dried beans, pick to remove any stones or debris. Put them in a bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  2. Drain well. Give them a rinse with cold water and drain once again.
  3. In a heavy pot (6 Qt or larger) or Dutch oven over medium high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic cloves and cook stirring frequently for about 4-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
  4. Next, add the tequila (if using) and cook for a few minutes or until almost all the tequila has evaporated. If using broth, skip this step. Add the beans, stock, diced green chiles, cumin and oregano and bring to a boil.
Dried Beans Cooking Instructions
  1. If using dried beans, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender and cooked through.
Canned Beans Instructions
  1. If using canned beans, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
After the beans are tender:
  1. Remove the pot from the heat and using an immersion blender blend the soup to your desire texture and consistency. I like leaving some beans whole for a rustic chunky texture). You can also use a blender or food processor. Simply transfer some or all the soup to a blender and process until you reach your desire texture and consistency. Then, return the soup to the pot.
  2. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro (or more to taste), and the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste and simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat.
  3. Ladle into soup bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
To Make the Chipotle Crema
  1. Whisk together all the ingredients. This can be made 3-4 days in advance. Keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • When cooking dried beans, do not add any salt until the beans are tender.
  • If using canned beans, there is no need to drain and rinse the beans. The liquid in which the beans are packed, although it may not look appealing, have a rich bean taste that will only enhance the flavor of the soup.
  • Additional broth  may be needed if the soup is too thick for your taste. Don’t use water which dilutes the flavor.
  • When using dried beans, remove any stones or debris. Put them in a bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain the water and rinse the beans. Now they are ready for cooking!
  • Substitute the tequila with mezcal, white wine, bourbon or broth.

Nutrition Information

Calories 205kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 681mg (28%) Potassium 369mg (11%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 2180IU (44%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 58mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 205

% Daily Value*

Calories 205kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 681mg 28%
Potassium 369mg 8%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 2180IU 44%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 58mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.