This black bean soup is a zesty blend of beans and vegetables, simmered together to make a thick and hearty meal. Add your favorite toppings and you’ll have an easy and healthy dinner option that’s sure to get rave reviews!
I love a hot bowl of soup on a cold day. Some of my favorite soup recipes include chicken and rice soup, cabbage soup and this simple yet satisfying black bean soup.
My local Mexican restaurant makes the best black bean soup. I decided to recreate the recipe at home with great success! This soup is thick with plenty of beans and veggies, and I love serving it with a little sour cream, cheese and tortilla strips on top.
How do you make black bean soup?
Start by cooking together onions, garlic, red bell peppers and jalapeno peppers. Once the veggies are tender, add a variety of spices to the pot along with canned black beans and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes. Remove half of the soup and puree it in a blender or food processor. Return the puree to the pot; this will help thicken the soup. Next, stir in some lime juice and cilantro for a bright and fresh flavor. Add your favorite toppings, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for the perfect soup
- I use canned beans for this recipe because this way it can be on the table in about 45 minutes. If you’d prefer to use dry beans, use one pound of rinsed and soaked beans and 6 cups broth. Cook for 60 to 90 minutes or until beans are softened.
- This soup stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days which makes it great for meal prep. Black bean soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw the soup overnight in the fridge, then reheat on medium heat on the stove top.
- Use whatever Mexican style toppings you enjoy. Some ideas include tortilla strips, avocado, olives, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo, cilantro, sour cream and shredded cheese.
- I remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno before I add it to the soup, which adds a lot of flavor but doesn’t add much in the way of heat. If you want a spicy soup, include some of the seeds and ribs of the pepper.
- Not a fan of cilantro? Use sliced green onions instead.
- To make this soup vegetarian, simply substitute vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Are black beans healthy?
Black beans are loaded with nutrition and make a great addition to any healthy diet. They contain vitamins and minerals including calcium, zinc, potassium, Vitamin B6 and folate. Black beans also contain a lot of fiber and protein, which helps you feel full.
Black bean soup flavor variations
This soup is fabulous as-is, but you can add other ingredients to the recipe to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Meat: Feel free to add some meat such as ground beef, Mexican chorizo, shredded chicken or bacon.
- Vegetables: You can add other veggies to the soup such as carrots, celery, corn, zucchini or a can of diced tomatoes.
- Beans: I’ve made this soup with a blend of black beans and pinto beans with great results.
Slow Cooker Black Bean soup
This recipe can easily be adapted to work in a crock pot. Saute the vegetables as directed, then place all the soup ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Remove 1 cup of the soup to puree, then stir the puree back into the soup. Add toppings and serve.
This black bean soup is on our regular dinner rotation; I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does!
More soup recipes to savor
Black Bean Soup Video
Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup onion finely diced
- 1 cup red bell pepper seeded, cored and diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds and ribs removed, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or more to taste
- 4 15 ounce cans black beans drained and rinsed
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
- assorted toppings such as sour cream, cheese and tortilla strips
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, black beans and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 15 minutes. Remove half of the bean and broth mixture and place in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
- Stir the puree back into the pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until soup has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Serve immediately, with assorted toppings as desired.
Sophia says
I usually have these ingredients at hand so this a go to recipe for me. In the crook pot then dinner is ready when I’m home from work. We love anything with toppings!
Dana says
Is there sour cream actually mixed into the soup, or is it just an optional topping? Can’t tell by the instructions about stirring in with lime — if it is added, what amount?
Sara says
The sour cream is an optional topping!
Jacque Hooperj says
Always love a dish that is packed in protein, but light on the wallet! So simple yet filling; easily, a new favorite soup recipe!
Brianna says
This soup is so hearty and with canned black beans comes together in a snap!
Kim says
So incredibly good! Love how flavorful it is one of my favorite soups for cold days.
Biana says
This soup looks great, I like how healthy it is!
Emily says
I love this black bean soup! Perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family loved.
Michelle says
My favourite type of soup! So easy to make and full of flavour!
Shalini says
I love a good comforting soup any day. Never tried black bean soup before. So, I am bookmarking this!
Beth says
Wow! This black bean soup was such a hit! My family is wanting more especially my picky eater! Definitely making this delicious and flavor packed soup again!
Sarah says
Such a delicious soup, if you love black beans, you will love this!
Tara says
Such a comforting soup and it comes together so easily! Looks amazing with that pile of cheese and toppings on top. Yum!