Creamy Black Bean Soup (Printable)

Rich, creamy black bean soup with warming spices for comforting meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Beans & Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
08 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasoning

09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

→ Garnishes

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Sour cream or vegan yogurt
19 - Sliced avocado
20 - Lime wedges
21 - Diced red onion

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
04 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a creamy texture, leaving some beans and vegetables whole. Alternatively, transfer half the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or spices.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, sour cream, avocado, lime wedges, or diced red onion as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It is a pantry miracle that transforms humble cans of beans into a luxury meal.
  • The texture is incredibly customizable so you can keep it chunky or make it velvet smooth.
02 -
  • Never skip toasting the spices in oil because it unlocks flavors that simmering alone cannot reach.
  • Partial blending is the true secret to that restaurant quality body without needing to add heavy cream.
03 -
  • Stir in a small spoonful of cocoa powder for a deep and complex richness.
  • Always zest your lime before juicing it to get the maximum aromatic impact on the finished dish.
Go Back