Go Back
+ servings
Overhead view of black bean soup speckled with corn and topped with cubed avocado, cubed tomatoes, and cilantro sauce
5 from 7 votes

Spicy Black Bean Soup with Cilantro sauce

This black bean soup burbles together just long enough to warm through, and then it’s ready to go, earthy and spicy and faintly sweet. With a green salad on the side, this soup makes a terrific, supper or an easy lunch. 
Save Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Resting Time1 day
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: avocado, black beans, chipotle, corn, cumin, garlic, red bell pepper, tomato, vegetable broth
Servings: 4
Calories: 562kcal
Author: Naïby

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 carrot cubed (about 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper cubed
  • 720 g black beans rinse, and drain (2 dry cups, 4 pre-soaked cups, or 2 cans of 540 ml each)
  • 1 cup corn kernels frozen (160 g or 1 x 199 ml-can, rinsed and drained)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth plus 1 cup to dilute
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle powder or to taste
  • 1 tomato diced
  • 1 avocado diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the cilantro sauce

  • 1 bunch cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Grated zest and juice of 1 ½ lime

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 3 minutes.
  • Add the red bell pepper and carrot and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add black beans, corn, broth, cumin, chili, and chipotle. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 50 minutes. Remove the kombu.
  • In a blender, coarsely blend the soup to obtain a thick texture, keeping some beans and vegetable pieces intact. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix all the ingredients for the coriander sauce.
  • Serve the soup in bowls. Garnish with tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro sauce.

Notes

Choose the right black beans: Canned black beans are very different from brand to brand. So you have to be choosy and aim right.
Cook them to perfection: Also, be aware that canned beans should only be heated briefly; otherwise, you will end up with a sad mush.
Bring out the spices' inherent flavors: If you have a small coffee/spice grinder if needed, I suggest you have whole cumin seeds and grind them when you use them to release its volatile oils, aromatic compounds that give the spices their fragrance and flavor.
USEFUL TIPS
This soup can also be prepared in the slow cooker. Simmer all the ingredients for 6 to 8 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
STORAGE
This soup can be kept for one week in the refrigerator. 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1374IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 11mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @biting.intolife or tag #bitingintolife!