Easy Black Bean Soup
A thick, smoky black bean soup made from canned beans, partly blended until creamy and finished with lime. Vegan, budget-friendly and ready in 40 minutes.
25% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 30 min
- Serves
- 6
- Calories
- 235
- Protein
- 12 g
- Per serving
- $1.33
Why this recipe works
Three cans of black beans and a few vegetables make a big pot of soup that costs very little and tastes far better than it should. The toppings make it feel special.
- Blending half the soup makes it creamy while keeping some whole beans for texture.
- Cumin and smoked paprika give canned beans a slow-simmered, smoky depth.
- A squeeze of lime at the end brightens the earthy beans.
Ingredients
To serve
You will need
- Large pot
- Immersion blender or regular blender
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Soften the vegetables
Heat the oil in the pot over medium heat. Add the onion and pepper and cook until soft.
Toast the spices
Stir in the garlic, cumin, oregano and paprika and cook for 1 minute.
Simmer
Add the beans, broth and salt, bring to a boil, then simmer so the flavors meld.
Blend half
Blend about half the soup with an immersion blender, or transfer half to a blender and return it, until thick and creamy.
Finish
Stir in the lime juice and taste for salt. Serve with your choice of toppings.
Cook's notes
- If using a countertop blender, let the soup cool a few minutes and vent the lid; hot liquids expand.
- For a thicker soup, blend more of it; for a chunkier soup, blend less.
- Freezes perfectly for up to 3 months.
Nutrition per serving
235 calories
$1.33 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 20% of calories | 12 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 61% of calories | 36 g |
| Fat | 19% of calories | 5 g |
| Fiber | 12 g | |
| Sodium | 970 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
Can I use dried black beans?
Yes. Use about 4½ cups of cooked beans, roughly 1½ cups dried, soaked and simmered until tender.
Is black bean soup vegan?
Yes, with vegetable broth. Skip the sour cream or use a dairy-free alternative.
How can I add more protein?
It already has about 13 grams per serving. Top it with a fried egg or shredded chicken for more.
