Black Bean Soup – healthy, hearty and satisfying black bean soup loaded with layers of flavors and a good dose of beans, potatoes and other spices. Can be made completely vegan without sacrificing the taste. Absolutely waist-friendly! Sizzlingly and Sassy. Who wants a bowl?
Sometimes you just need a big bowl of a hearty soup. Saturday afternoon was one of those days for me. It was quite chilly, with a sprinkle of rain here and there and when there is rain you need to warm up. And so I decided to make this satisfying black bean soup since I had some canned beans sitting in my pantry.
How do you make the best black bean soup?
One of my favorite inexpensive and healthy recipes during the colder months is soup. And my favorite of them all is this Black Bean Soup! Bean are life! What I have for you today is a flavorful and very hearty black bean soup which doesn’t break the bank to make.
This Black Bean Soup is loaded with undeniably great flavors like, garlic, ginger, peppers, and, of course, some heat! Spice lovers use habanero pepper. I did not use it because this is a favorite of my sous chef (son) and he’s not the biggest fan of hot spice. Instead, I used a small jalapeño pepper instead.
This makes for a perfect meal for a busy winter day when you need comfort without the calories. And you know this doesn’t take hours to make. You simply have to saute the veggies along with the spices and seasoning. Then add in the beans, potatoes, broth, tomatoes, bay leaf, bouillon powder and salt and bring it to a boil. After boiling, simmer it gently for about 25 minutes or until you achieve your preferred consistency.
Can I use canned beans for this black bean soup?
Whenever I cook beans, I always cook more than what I need for the day so I can freeze the leftovers and have it on hand for busy (or lazy) days when spending time in the kitchen seems like such an arduous task. It happens to all of us (myself included).
And if you really dread boiling beans then use the canned beans instead. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly before adding them to the pot. You can also through in about a cup of sweet potatoes for additional chunkiness in your soup if you’d like.
Oh, do make this skillet cornbread to go with them. They might not be healthy but they are definitely Sexy and Sassy.
Enjoy!
Tips and Notes:
- To make this completely vegan, you can replace the chicken bouillon powder to vegetable bouillon.
- If you want more heat in this recipe, please feel free to use habanero instead of jalapenos or a dash of chili powder.
- You certainly can use water instead of broth but the taste won’t be the same. Go for low-sodium for a healthier choice and a vegetable broth to make it completely vegan.
- To cook this in a slow cooker, saute all the aromatics first, then add it to the slow cooker together with soaked beans. Add water and/or broth ,then cook for 6-8 hours until tender. You will definitely have to adjust liquid.
Watch How To Make It
This blog post was first published in January 2015 and has been updated with photos, write up and a minor recipe adjustment.
Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
- 4 cups cooked black beans or 2-3 15oz. cans rinse and drained
- 1 Fresh tomato diced
- 1 Large potatoes (about 1-1 and 1/2 cup)
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder (adjust to taste or leave out )
- 4 cups broth or more chicken or vegetarian
- salt and pepper , to taste
- fresh cilantro/parsley leaves , optional
- avocado (to serve) optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive / canola oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, ginger, paprika, jalape̱o and saut̩, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and translucent Рabout 6-7 minutes. Do not brown.
- Add the black beans, potatoes, tomatoes, bay leaf, bouillon powder, chicken and salt .
- Sauce for about a minute or two , add broth then bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for about 25 minutes or more until potatoes are tender and soup has a creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasonings and thickness of soup according to preference with broth and spices.
- Remove, garnish with fresh parsley leaves or cilantro and serve warm with corn bread and avocado
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Black Bean Soup
Heat the olive / canola oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, ginger, paprika, all spice, jalapeño and sauté.
Stir occasionally until onions are soft and translucent – about 6-7 minutes. Do not brown.
Add the black beans, potatoes, tomatoes, bay leaf, bouillon powder, and salt and cook for about a minute or two . Then add broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for about 25 minutes or more until sweet potatoes are tender and soup has a creamy consistency. Adjust seasonings and thickness of soup according to preference with broth and spices. Remove, garnish with fresh parsley leaves or cilantro and serve warm with corn bread.
Nancy says
I made this soup over the weekend and it is delicious! Big yum!!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! So happy to hear it worked out well for you.
Joan says
Just saw your website.can I use sweet potatoes in my soup
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you can. Sweet potatoes works as well.
C P says
Are those sweet potatoes white? And do you think it would still be just as flavorful without any potatoes at all?
Michelle says
What if I wanted to make this in a slow cooker with uncooked black beans
ImmaculateBites says
You would have to saute all the aromatics , add it to the slow cooker together with soak beans. Add water and/or broth ,then cook for 6-8 hours until tender. You will definitely have to adjust liquid.
Rocket says
Chicken Bullion…. is not vegan. Just saying.
ImmaculateBites says
I know. Optional for those that don’t mind. Thanks for stopping by.
Katurah M says
Just made this last night, it was AWESOME! I will be making it again. It was flavorful and filling. I love this site. I’m semi vegan lol, so it’s great to have meals that are so flavorful and great tasting.
ImmaculateBites says
That’s great,katurah! Vegan doesn’t have to be bland. Thanks for letting me know
Alex says
My girlfriend and i are making a variant of this tonight usibg homemade fishstock using mackerel offcuts and dried shrimp. Also omitting sweet potato for pumpkin. Serving it up with grilled mackerel. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for the great recipe!
ImmaculateBites says
My Pleasure!!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Teffy @ Sprinkle of Green says
This soup is exactly what I need right now. Looks so good and so warming, I love anything with black beans and sweet potatoes =)
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Teffy ,it’s a great soup to have for these cold winter days.
Chan says
This is the bomb.com. I love black beans.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Chan.
Philo says
I’m making this right now and it smells and tastes so good… I don’t have corn bread so I’m pairing it up with whole wheat tortillas…
Thanks Imma 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Philo, It really pairs well with tortillas too! Glad you liked it!
Erica says
May I say that I’m in love with your site. I made this dish this evening and it was amazing!!!! I’ve made several other of the recipes that you have put on this site and they all having been super delicious!!! Thanks to you and your wonderful site my cooking skills are improving!!!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww, thanks Erica, it is nice of you to leave such a sweet comment. Glad you are liking my recipes!
ImmaculateBites says
Great idea! Nagi. That should make this even more flavorful!
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
YES, I want a bowl!! No one other that YOU could make me want a bean soup – check out the flavour you have packed in there!! Oh boy Oh boy…..I am thinking maybe I will try slow cooking it with a protein of some sort to add flavour to the broth which I can then shred and stir throughout?
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
Love black bean soup. How ironic I’m just tweaking my own recipe to add to the blog soon. Yours looks divine and I’m always willing to try other versions.
ImmaculateBites says
Charlene, I can’t wait to see what you come up with
Sara says
Gurrrrrrrl, You just described me . Am all of the above and MORE. Thanks .
ImmaculateBites says
You are Welcome!! Sara. You sure are!!!!!. Let me know how you like this version of your self.Hahaha