Name: Spicy Black Bean Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil; 2 medium yellow onions, chopped; 3 celery ribs, finely chopped; 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds; 6 garlic cloves, pressed or minced; 4 1/2 teaspoons (23 ml) ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) red pepper flakes (use 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) if sensitive to spice); 4 cans (15 ounces (425 g) each) black beans, rinsed and drained; 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth; 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro (optional); 1 to 2 teaspoons (8 ml) apple cider vinegar, to taste, or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Optional garnishes: diced avocado, extra cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, tortilla chips

Description

Learn how to make a delicious and satisfying Spicy Black Bean Soup with this easy recipe. Perfect for cozy nights in or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
6 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
4 1/2 teaspoons (23 ml) ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) red pepper flakes (use 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) if sensitive to spice)
4 cans (15 ounces (425 g) each) black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 to 2 teaspoons (8 ml) apple cider vinegar, to taste, or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes: diced avocado, extra cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, tortilla chips

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Instructions

Warm the vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until it starts to shimmer. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrot, along with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables become tender, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Mix in the garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes, cooking them until their aroma is released, roughly 30 seconds. Introduce the black beans and vegetable broth to the pot, and increase the heat to bring it to a gentle boil. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a soft simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to become very soft, which will take approximately 30 minutes.
Pour around 4 cups of the soup into a blender, ensuring the lid is tightly secured, and blend until it reaches a smooth consistency. Be cautious of hot steam escaping from the blender. Alternatively, an immersion blender can be used to purée part of the soup directly in the pot.
Pour the blended soup back into the pot. Mix in the cilantro, apple cider vinegar or lime juice, and season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Serve the soup.

Notes

Blend the soup in batches for a smoother texture.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
Enhance the soup with garnishes like diced avocado or tortilla chips.