Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (2024)

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Isabel

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This easy black bean soup recipe is made with canned black beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of simple spices. It’s a healthy vegetarian and vegan meal that will satisfy everyone!

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (1)

This easy black bean soup recipe is one of the healthiest, tastiest, and most inexpensive meals I’ve ever made!

Naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan, this soup is made with 3 cans of black beans, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a simple blend of spices that everyone has in their kitchen.

From start to finish, this recipe takes only 40 minutes to make, including prep time. It makes about 6 dinner servings or 8-10 side servings, making this an excellent option for healthy weeknight meals!

My husband and I eat beans about 3 times a week; this recipe is always at the top of our list. I know you’re going to love it!

Love beans, too? Try these 25 bean recipes using dried or canned beans.

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Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (2)

Tips for making Black Bean Soup

Sauté the onions, garlic and tomatoes until the onions have softened and are translucent. This will really help to bring out some of the creamy, rich flavors of the onions while infusing everything with that delicious garlic taste.

Stir in the spices and seasonings and saute them with the onion mixture for about 4 minutes. This will lightly toast some of the spices, which will help intensify and deepen those flavors.

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. If you are sensitive to spicy foods, you can leave out the red pepper flakes completely. If you want this to be a really spicy black bean soup, I recommend doubling the amount!

Use an immersion blender for easy and safe blending. Blending hot soups can be a little tricky. If you can, I recommend using an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot. But if you only have a stand blender, carefullytransfer some of the soup into a large blender using a ladle and blend until smooth. Then return the pureed soup to the pot and stir. Make sure not to fill your stand blender past the max fill line, or you may have a soup explosion.

If you only add one additional topping, I recommend squeezing in some fresh lime juice. It adds a punch of brightness and acidity that compliments the creamy and savory black beans so well!

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (3)

Storing and Freezing

This soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.

To freeze, cool the soup completely in the fridge. Once chilled, scoop into freezer-safe zip-top bags or containers and freeze. When ready to eat, let frozen container thaw completely in the fridge or defrost in the microwave. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until completely warm.

More Recipes to Try

  • Enfrijoladas
  • Charro Beans
  • Refried Beans
  • Quinoa Black Bean Chili
  • Bean and Cheese Burritos

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (4)

4.82 from 59 votes

Easy Black Bean Soup

servings: 6 servings

Print Pin Rate

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

This Easy Black Bean Soup recipe is made with canned black beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic and a simple blend of flavorful spices. Healthy and filling!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 large plum tomatoes, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more if you prefer it extra spicy
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed*
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • optional toppings: diced avocados, queso fresco, chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, sour cream

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.

  • Add the onions, tomatoes and garlic. Cook until onions soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes.

  • Add oregano, salt, thyme, cumin, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Stir and cook for another 4 minutes until very fragrant.

  • Add black beans, broth and stir to mix. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. The soup will be boiling by the end.

  • Uncover and carefully blend the soup with ahand held immersion blenderuntil it reaches your desired consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer some of the soup into a large blender using a ladle and blend until smooth. Then return the pureed soup to the pot and stir.

  • Cook uncovered for another 5-10 minutes, until the soup reaches your preferred thickness. If you cook it too long and want to thin it out, add in more broth.

  • Season with more salt to taste and serve with optional toppings like diced avocados, queso fresco, chopped cilantro and sour cream..

Notes

To make using dried beans, you’ll need 1 1/2 cups dried beans (or 3/4 lb), about 4 1/2 cups cooked. Cook them according to package instructions or visit this post for further instructions.

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. If you are sensitive to spicy foods, you can leave out the red pepper flakes completely. If you want this to be a really spicy black bean soup, I recommend doubling the amount!

If you only add one additional topping, I recommend squeezing in some fresh lime juice. It adds a punch of brightness and acidity that compliments the creamy and savory black beans so well!

Storethe soup in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

To freeze, cool the soup completely in the fridge. Once chilled, scoop into freezer-safe zip-top bags or containers and freeze. When ready to eat, let frozen container thaw completely in the fridge or defrost in the microwave. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until completely warm.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 250kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 37g (12%), Protein: 11g (22%), Fat: 4g (6%), Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 468mg (20%), Potassium: 845mg (24%), Fiber: 8g (32%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 200IU (4%), Vitamin C: 23.1mg (28%), Calcium: 60mg (6%), Iron: 2.7mg (15%)

Author: Isabel Orozco-Moore

Category: Mexican

Leave a Reply

  1. Chris

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (5)
    Awesome! Thank You

    Reply

  2. Tara

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (6)
    Excellent!

    Reply

  3. Lea

    I eat alot of soup & never thought to make black bean soup.
    This is delicious & has gone into my recipe book!
    For dessert I served Black Bean Brownies with ice cream.
    What a wonderful dessert!! THANK YOU for these two winning recepies.

    Reply

  4. Nancy

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (7)
    Best black bean soup by far! The flavor is amazing! I did substitute a 15oz can of diced tomatoes for the plum tomatoes and only used 1/2 an onion.
    Also added diced carrots and celery when cooking the onions.

    Reply

  5. Liz

    This is my all time favorite vegetarian soup! I make it once a week. My family loves it! Thanks for such a yummy recipe

    Reply

  6. Liz

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (8)
    This is my go to recipe when I need a quick delicious dinner! Love this recipe exactly how it’s written.

    Reply

  7. Laurie

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (9)
    Another home run! Incredibly flavorful! When I told my hubby that we were having black bean soup for dinner, he was underwhelmed. When he tasted it, it blew his mind. We both had seconds! Soooo good! We garnished with avocado, lime and cilantro. Top notch! Thanks again for another perfect recipe!

    Reply

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats

      Thank you Laurie!

      Reply

  8. Taylor Gussman

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (10)
    Holy freaking yum city! Made this by the recipe but added some garbanzo beans and cream of chicken soup, and a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes. Even my very picky eaters gobbled this up and were asking for more immediately. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats

      That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  9. J

    This is a wonderful recipe for black bean soup. I am making it again. My husband and our friends thought it was fabulous. I puréed it for a friend who had a lot of dental work done and cannot eat solid food. He loved the high protein meal. Be careful and don’t add salt until you taste first. Ours came out too salty because I used Goya black beans and chicken broth that were heavily salted.

    Reply

  10. Elizabeth

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (11)
    I make this recipe for a week of lunches. I have been making it for years. Love it!!

    Reply

  11. Lori

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (12)
    Loved it! My husband is not usually a fan of meals without meat but he was pleasantly surprised. He even said if I purée all of it and make it a little thicker it will make a great dip. May be trying that next. 😃

    Reply

  12. Alex

    Fantastic soup-great flavor! Made this for dinner and the family loved it. Probably blended 3/4 of the soup, leaving enough beans and tomatoes to get it great texture. Definitely going in the meal rotation. Thank you!

    Reply

  13. Nancy S. Wacker

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (13)
    Really tasty. I loved it. Will definitely be making this again. I didn’t have any tomatoes so I used a can of fire roasted tomatoes.

    Reply

    1. Alex

      I also did not have fresh tom’s so sub a can of fire roasted. Added even more flavor.

      Reply

  14. Kathy P.

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (14)
    Yum! Easy, quick and delicious! Not a hot pepper fan so cut it back some.

    Reply

  15. Christine

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (15)
    Wow! I was pleasantly surprised with the bold flavors of this soup even with such few ingredients. Absolutely delicious and just the right amount of kick! I’ll be making this again. Thank you. 😊

    Reply

  16. Carol Mirto

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (16)
    Very much enjoyed the Black Bean Soup. Did not use the red pepper flakes, everything else as written. All the recipes I have tried have been added to my “do again” collection. Thank you !!

    Reply

  17. Rick

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (17)
    I’ve made many bean soups from recipes on the internet, this’d one is the only one I saved #@isabeleats

    Reply

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats

      Thank you Rick!

      Reply

  18. Lea Ahaesy

    Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (18)
    I like it but I changed it a bit only because my husband is a little fussy so Instead of puree I add kale and garbanzo beans to the black beans too. It is yummy. Thank you for your recipe.

    Reply

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Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to soak black beans before making soup? ›

In the course of his testing, Yonan found that soaking only cut down cooking time by 25 to 30%, and it also had real drawbacks. "You lose a lot of flavors when you soak them," Yonan says. "I've never had a pot of black beans as good soaking as when I don't soak them.

How can I thicken my black bean soup? ›

I like my black bean soup soupier, but if you prefer it thicker, there are a couple of things you can do. If your soup is watery, you can simmer it uncovered for longer so some of the broth evaporates. You can also blend it for longer – blending is a great way to thicken soups without adding cream.

Why is my black bean soup bitter? ›

Sometimes black beans can come out tasting bitter. To prevent this, be sure to use an appropriate amount of salt. This recipe calls for a tablespoon, but don't forget to taste for salt when your soup is finished and add more if desired; it will depend on how salty your bacon is, too.

Is black bean soup good for constipation? ›

Black beans are rich in fiber which can help to improve constipation – a common side effect of certain chemotherapies and many supportive medications.

Do I drain canned black beans for soup? ›

"It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans," the website states. "A 2009 study conducted at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, showed that draining beans removes, on average, 36 percent of the sodium in canned beans.

What happens if you don't soak black beans before cooking? ›

Short answer: They take longer to cook. Long answer: Many people claim that soaking beans is not necessary. The argument for this method is while it does take longer to cook, unsoaked beans end up having better flavor.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

That's what my gram used to do:
  • Gently fry a mixture of paprika, cumin and crushed garlic in olive oil in a small pan. Watch out it doesn't burn. Pour on top of soup when soup is already in serving bowl.
  • Prepare a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice and crushed garlic. Texture of the mixture should be pretty thick.

Why is my bean soup so watery? ›

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

How to add egg to soup without curdling? ›

Occasionally, a soup recipe will call for beaten eggs as a thickening agent. Both whole eggs and yolks can be used. To avoid curdling the eggs, start by drizzling about ½ cup of the hot broth into the eggs, stirring vigorously while you pour. Then add the egg mixture to the soup and cook until thickened.

Why does black bean soup give me gas? ›

Beans contain oligosaccharides, a type of complex carbohydrate that humans can't digest on their own. When these carbohydrates reach the large intestine, the bacteria in the gut break them down and produce gas as a byproduct. This is why eating beans can cause flatulence.

Why is my bean soup foaming? ›

Further, beans also contain a compound called saponins, which also create foam when they get agitated in water. (Saponins occur in many plants, some of which are actually used to make soap!)

Why do my black beans taste bland? ›

Overcooking can detract from the eating experience, leaving your beans bland and lifeless. Undercooking beans, on the other hand, can put yourself at risk of food-borne illness.

What simple trick empties your bowels immediately? ›

Try drinking warm liquids like herbal tea or water, which can stimulate bowel movements. Gentle abdominal massage or light exercise like walking may also help.

What can I drink and have a bowel movement immediately? ›

Apples, prunes, kiwi, pears, beans, broccoli, and sweet potatoes are all excellent choices. What drinks help soften stool quickly? Prune juice, lemon water, or herbal tea might help.

Are black beans good for colon? ›

Fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables like black beans are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer. Black beans are high in folate, which plays a role in DNA synthesis and repair, thus preventing the formation of cancer cells from mutations in the DNA.

Should I soak beans for soup? ›

Soaking. Soaking your beans helps them cook faster and more evenly, and it can also make them easier to digest. If you add salt to the soaking water (in other words, make a brine), your beans will cook even faster; the salt helps break down their skins.

Can you put dried beans directly into soup? ›

Let's get this straight: You do not have to soak dry beans for soups and stews. Dried beans are just as easy to cook as canned; they just take more time. Simply toss them into the pot with lots of vegetables and seasonings, cover with water or stock, and let them simmer away on their own while you go about your day.

What if I forgot to soak my beans? ›

If you forgot to soak your beans the night before you plan to cook them, the hot soak method can come to the rescue. Cover the beans with water, bring to a boil and boil for three minutes. Remove them from the heat and let them soak in the hot water for an hour. Then drain, rinse, add fresh water and cook.

Do canned black beans need to be soaked? ›

In terms of convenience, canned beans can't be beat; they're ready for use immediately, directly off the shelf. This means no soaking, no boiling, and best of all, no waiting. Sometimes I want to make hummus now and not in 12-14 hours.

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