4.39 87 Published Dec 23, 2022, Updated May 21, 2024 This recipe is really straightforward, but also completely customizable. And you can choose the cooking method too. I love making this soup in the slow cooker but you can also cook it on the stovetop so I’m giving instructions for both.
Why You’ll Love This Soup
It’s a budget-friendly meal! Totally customizable – feel free to switch up the toppings or add protein. Can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. You only need 5 main ingredients, plus spices! One pot meal that is perfect for meal prep – cook once and eat healthy all week!
Ingredients Needed
Feel free to tweak these ingredients based on what you have on hand! The list seems a little long but nine of fourteen ingredients are dried spices that you likely have sitting in your pantry. You’ve got this!
dried black beans – buy these from the bulk bin for the best deal. I include tips for how to prepare dried beans below, but most importantly, make sure you soak them! You can also use canned black beans instead as a shortcut. vegetable broth – the base of this soup. If you don’t need this recipe to be vegan you can use chicken broth or bone both. olive oil – just a little bit, to cook the veggies in. veggies – garlic, onion and carrots come together and provide delicious flavor for this soup. Feel free to add celery if you have it on hand! spices – cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, bay leaf, pinch of cinnamon, sea salt and black pepper. If you want more of a smoked flavor add smoked paprika or some chipotles in adobo sauce. toppings – fresh cilantro, avocado and lime wedges. Feel free to use your favorite toppings here!
How to Make Black Bean Soup
Soak black beans: First things first, make sure you soak your dried beans! Figure out when you want to actually cook your soup and adjust accordingly. I like soaking my beans overnight so I’m ready to go, but if you’re making this recipe on the stovetop you can soak them during the day and they’ll be ready to use by dinnertime. Cook veggies: Whether you’re making this in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, you will want to cook your veggies first! In a saucepan or large soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add your onions, carrots, garlic and sea salt. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the onions are translucent and beginning to brown. For the stovetop: Add all the remaining ingredients, including the pre-soaked beans, right into the soup pot with the vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the beans are tender. For the slow cooker: Transfer the cooked veggies into your slow cooker and add all the other ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours or until the black beans are tender. Puree: Now… choose your own adventure – you can either keep the beans whole or puree them using an immersion blender or traditional blender to your desired texture. Pureeing will thicken the soup, but you can also leave a little texture if you don’t fully puree everything! I prefer it pureed just a bit so there’s still some texture! If using a traditional blender, be careful! The soup will be hot. Blend in small amounts to prevent splattering hot soup everywhere.
How to Serve
Spoon the soup into bowls for serving and top with sliced avocado and fresh cilantro. Serve with a lime wedge and plantain or tortilla chips. You can also add a little sour cream and green onion. If you’re not worried about this soup being vegan or dairy-free you can also sprinkle it with shredded cheese! This soup would be delicious paired with my pumpkin cornbread muffins or almond flour crackers. If you want a boost of protein, you can add slow cooker shredded chicken, ground chicken or ground turkey. Just cook the protein first and then mix it into the finished soup.
How to Store Black Bean Soup
Like I mentioned earlier, this soup is a great meal prep recipe. I like to make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Allow the soup to cool slightly and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Vegan Soup Recipes to Try
Easy Vegetable Soup Butternut Squash Soup Vegan Lentil Soup Curried Pumpkin Soup Vegan Chili Cauliflower Soup Vegan Split Pea Soup Vegan Potato Soup Mushroom Barley Soup
More Black Bean Recipes
Black Bean Pumpkin Burgers Black Bean Burgers Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Black Bean and Corn Salad Fudgy Black Bean Brownies Black Bean Mason Jar Salad Easy Black Bean Dip
Be sure to check my full collection of soup recipes!
