Description
Learn how to make a flavorful Spicy Black Beans Soup that will warm you up from the inside out. Perfect for a cozy night in or impressing 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 you’re 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
Instructions
- Warm the vegetable oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrot along with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables soften, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Mix in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes, cooking until they release their aroma, roughly 30 seconds. Pour in the black beans and vegetable broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to become very tender, approximately 30 minutes.
- Carefully transfer about 4 cups of the soup to a blender, securely close the lid, and blend until smooth (ensure not to overfill the blender and be cautious of the hot steam escaping). Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup.
- Pour the blended soup back into the pot, then mix in the chopped cilantro, apple cider vinegar or lime juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with diced avocado, more cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, or tortilla chips.
Notes
- Blend more than 4 cups of the soup for a smoother consistency, if desired.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
- Enhance the flavor with a splash of apple cider vinegar or fresh lime juice.
