When the craving for comfort food with a kick strikes, this Spicy Southwestern Black Bean Soup recipe is your answer. It's not only quick and easy with pantry ingredients, but it's also bursting with bold flavors and irresistible toppings like avocado, sour cream, red onion, and cilantro. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a cozy lunch, this soup is always a hit.
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- If you're looking for a quick, comforting, and vegetarian dinner idea this Tex-Mex-inspired black bean soup checks all the boxes.
- This bean soup recipe easily adapts for dietary restrictions.
- This soup stores well and can be made ahead and frozen.
- Black bean soup is packed with nutrients. You'll eat a satisfying meal as part of a healthy diet.
- The soup's ingredients allow for endless customization, making it a favorite in Southwestern cuisine.
We guarantee that this soup will bring happiness to your taste buds and warmth to your soul. Try our recipe today and elevate your soup game to a new level!
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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- Canned black beans -- the backbone of the soup recipe.
- Canola oil -- for sautéing the onion and seasonings
- Red onions -- for flavoring and used as a garnish
- Fresh limes -- add acidity and flavoring
- Water -- liquid for the base
- Vegetable broth or stock -- liquid for the soup and flavoring
- Salsa -- adds flavor to the soup, get it as spicy as you like
- Seasonings -- cumin powder, chili powder, salt
- Cilantro -- adds the Southwest seasoning and for garnishing
- Garnish: cilantro, sour cream, avocado, red onion
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Heat the oil in your Dutch oven or soup pan and sauté the onions for two to three minutes.
- Add the chili powder and cumin and continue to sauté for one more minute.
- Pour in the Vegetable stock, water, black beans, salsa, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the soup from the heat and add the lime juice and 2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro.
- Ladle half of the soup into a large bowl and cream the beans with an immersion blender.
- You may also use a regular blender for this step. Use caution when blending hot liquids. Hold the lid down with a towel to prevent the lid from popping off.
- Stir the pureed soup back into the pan and reheat. Serve with your preferred garnishes.
🥫 Storage
Leftover Southwestern Black Bean soup is a gift to savor. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to five days, making it perfect for meal prep.
When reheating, gently warm the soup over medium heat on the stove. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. You can also use a microwave, but be sure to stir halfway through to prevent uneven heat distribution. Enjoy your ready-to-eat comfort food anytime!
You can also freeze black bean soup. Freezing is a great way to preserve leftovers and enjoy the soup later. Wait until you're ready to eat to add the garnishes. (See the Black Bean Soup recipe card below for complete instructions on freezing and reheating.)
📚 Variations
One of the joys of cooking is making a dish your own. This Southwestern Black Bean Soup recipe is incredibly versatile and easy to be creative. You can quickly adapt it to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Here are some ways you can enhance your soup:
- Add corn for a touch of sweetness and texture.
- Stir in more fresh cilantro and lime juice for brightness.
- Top with your favorite garnishes, such as creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, and diced peppers for added depth.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with other ingredients, making this soup a personal experience.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
This Black Bean Soup recipe can easily accommodate dietary preferences. For a vegan version, simply use vegetable broth and skip any dairy toppings.
Gluten-free options are straightforward, as the base recipe contains no gluten. Just ensure that all added ingredients, like broths or spices, are certified gluten-free. With these modifications, everyone at your table can enjoy this delicious comfort food.
Remember to spice wisely! Southwestern cuisine is known for its bold spices. Don't be shy! Use generously cumin, chili powder, and even smoked paprika to create that signature taste. Remember to taste as you go so you can adjust the heat level to your preferences.
🤔 FAQs
To reduce bitterness in black bean soup, try adding a pinch of sugar or honey to balance the flavors. Additionally, using fresh ingredients and ensuring your spices are not burnt while cooking can help. Always taste as you go, and adjust the seasonings to your preference!
Absolutely! Black bean soup is packed with nutrients. It's rich in fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. This makes it a filling and satisfying meal, perfect for maintaining a healthy diet. Plus, it's low in fat and can easily be made vegetarian or vegan.
You can use smoked meats like ham hocks, chorizo, or even pulled pork for Cuban Black Bean Soup. These options add a rich, savory flavor to the soup. If you prefer a lighter option, shredded chicken can also be a great addition.
The best substitutes for black beans are pinto beans or kidney beans. They both have a similar texture and can absorb flavors well. If you want a different flavor, navy beans or cannellini beans can also work. Just remember, they will have a milder taste.
Canned black beans are pre-cooked and can be used straight from the can. Rinse and drain them to reduce sodium content. When adding them to your soup, incorporate them towards the end of the cooking process to heat them through. This helps preserve their texture and flavor.
📗 Related Recipes
Beans are a great source of nutrition. They are full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This makes them a fantastic addition to any diet. They are very versatile and can be used in many dishes. You can add them to soups, salads, tacos, and casseroles.
Whether you prefer black beans, pinto beans, or chickpeas, you can enjoy the goodness of beans without breaking the bank! Here are some of our favorite bean soup recipes:
- 15 Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- White Chicken Chili
- Chili's Southwest Chicken Soup
- Pasta E Fagioli
- Chicken Minestrone
- Chili Con Carne
- Hearty Venison Chili
🍽 What to serve with Spicy Black Bean Soup
Presentation is key when serving this simple bean soup. Garnishes not only add flavor but also visual appeal. Consider a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or shredded cheese for a creamy finish.
Pairing your soup with the right sides can elevate the meal. Here are some recommendations for a complete dining experience:
- Warm cornbread muffins or crispy tortilla chips.
- Hot bacon cheese bread slathered with butter.
- A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette.
- A glass of robust red wine or a refreshing cold beer.
Enjoy these pairings to create a comforting and satisfying meal.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Soup pot or Dutch oven -- needed for making the soup
- Immersion blender or regular blender -- for pureeing the soup
- Mixing bowl is needed for creaming some of the soup
- Ladle -- serving the soup
- Measuring spoons for the spice amounts
- Liquid measuring cup for measuring the water and soup stock
- Juicer for the lime
- Zester for the lime zest
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Making a tasty Southwestern Black Bean Soup is facile e veloce(quick and easy). It’s a great way to enjoy vegetarian cooking without losing flavor. In just a matter of minutes, you can create a savory, hearty dish that your taste buds won't soon forget!
This zuppa di fagioli (bean soup) is a lifesaver for those nights when we need comfort food and we need it NOW! It's so warm and hearty, and the toppings take it to the next level -- our family can't get enough. Whether we're huddled around the tavola (table) on a chilly evening or just in the mood for something nourishing and quick, this soup is our go-to. I know your family will love it as much as ours does. Buon appetito!
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Southwestern Black Bean Soup: Your Weeknight Hero
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium red onion chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 15- ounce cans of black beans rinsed (Total 45 oz. beans)
- 2 cups water
- 2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock or broth
- ¾ cup prepared salsa we like the spicy salsa but use whatever kind you prefer
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 6 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream reduced-fat
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro- divided
- Fresh lime for squeezing and slicing optional
- Extra chopped red onion for sprinkling on top optional
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in chili powder and cumin and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add beans, water, chicken stock, salsa and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in lime juice and 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro.
- Ladle half of the soup into a large heat-proof bowl.
- Blend half of the soup using an immersion blender, or transfer it to a blender and puree it (be careful when pureeing hot liquids)
- Stir the puree back into the soup pan and reheat.
- Ladle into soup bowls and serve garnished with sour cream, cilantro, and sliced lime.
Notes
Make Ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just before serving, garnish with sour cream and cilantro if desired. If you have leftovers, pack them in individual serving containers for lunch the next day. Freezing --here are a few things to keep in mind to maintain the best flavor and texture:
- Cooling: Let the soup cool completely before freezing. This prevents ice crystals from forming and helps maintain its texture.
- Storage Containers: Store food in airtight containers or freezer bags. If using bags, remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Portioning: Consider freezing the soup in individual portions. This way, you can defrost only what you need without thawing the entire batch.
- Texture consideration: While freezing won't drastically change the flavor, reheating may slightly alter the texture. The beans might become softer, but this is usually not too noticeable in a blended or chunky soup.
- Reheating: To enjoy your frozen black bean soup, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, gently reheat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring frequently to ensure even heating. You may want to add a splash of broth or water during reheating to help restore some of the texture.
Nutrition
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