Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe
Smooth, flavorful, and quick to prepare, this black bean soup makes a wonderful starter for a Southwestern or Mexican-inspired dinner, or a side dish with taco salad. Inspired by my friend Diane Reeder’s recipe from a Colorado ski club dinner, it’s blended for rustic elegance and finished with my favorite touch - a sprinkle of cornmeal to subtly thicken and deepen the flavor.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 352kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 12 green onions chopped (1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cups) - white, light green and some of the dark green portion
- 3 cans black beans, rinsed and drained (see Note) 15-ounce cans
- 3 to 4 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 3 jalapeños 2 to 3 inches long, seeded and finely chopped (1/2 to 2/3 cup)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Garnishes: fried tortilla strips sour cream, lime wedges
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add green onions and sauté until soft, 6 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in beans, garlic, jalapeños, cumin, coriander, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.Add stock, cilantro, and sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat; let cool slightly. Purée with an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender) until smooth. Return to pot, season with salt and pepper.
- Reheat gently and serve with garnishes.
Notes
Dried beans: Use 3/4 pound (2 to 2 1/4 cups) dried beans; cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Cornmeal thickener: Stir in 1 tablespoon cornmeal after blending; simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
Spicier version: Leave in some/all of the jalapeño veins.
Nutrition
Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1017mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 606IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 6mg