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Easy Smoky Black Bean Soup

A close-up of a bowl of thick, dark black bean soup topped with a dollop of sour cream and fresh cilantro.
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Make this hearty and flavorful black bean soup quickly. It uses simple pantry ingredients and features smoky notes from chipotle and cumin, making it a perfect, satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (or more for extra heat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, undrained
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)
  • Optional Toppings: avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed black beans, the undrained black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.
  4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend about one-third of the soup until creamy, or carefully transfer 2 cups of soup to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot. This step thickens the soup.
  6. Stir in the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you prefer a thinner soup, add a little more broth.
  7. Serve hot with lime wedges and your choice of toppings. This soup is a great alternative to heavy meals, similar to what you might find with some meal planning services.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, skip the optional sour cream or use a dairy-free alternative. This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
  • If you want a richer flavor, substitute 1 cup of the vegetable broth with 1 cup of strong brewed coffee or a splash of liquid smoke.
  • This soup stores well for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
  • If you are looking for quick healthy dinners, this recipe is comparable to many offerings from best meal delivery services focused on whole foods.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/easy-smoky-black-bean-soup-recipe/