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.

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

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Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (4)

4.82 from 58 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

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (5)

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Leave a Reply

  1. Tara

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

    Reply

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

What is the closest bean to black beans? ›

Kidney beans have a similar texture to black beans and provide a creaminess to dishes. Their flavor is slightly different, but they make for a great substitute. Where to find it: You can get them canned or dried at. nearly any grocery store or find kidney beans on Amazon.

What is the difference between pinto beans and black beans? ›

Pinto beans often take on the flavors of the ingredients they are paired with, but they have a nuttier taste. Black beans are oval-shaped, smaller, firmer and sturdier. They can stand high temperatures and resist moisture better so they don't get mushy.

Can I replace kidney beans with black beans? ›

Black beans and green peas also work well in rice dishes, though they do not appear identical to kidney beans. Green peas will add a sweet flavor, while black beans have a more savory flavor; combining both may be the perfect substitute for kidney beans flavor-wise!

What is a substitute for black bean sauce? ›

You'll see bean sauce called for in many Asian recipes. It is often sold in the Asian foods section of the grocery store. But if you can't find it, use hoisin sauce in its place. Hoisin is sweeter, so decrease the amount of sugar or honey in the recipe if there is any.

Do black beans taste different than Pinto? ›

Black and pinto beans' flavor is pretty moderate and not overpowering. They are both fairly creamy as well. Black beans are slightly more similar to meat, so they can work well as a meat substitute. Ultimately, we love both types of beans, but everyone will have their own flavor preference!

Do black beans taste different than kidney beans? ›

Enjoy a wide variety of beans, making selections for each dishbased on color, texture and flavor. Black beans are earthy andflavorful, kidney beans are mild and absorb flavor from seasonings,and garbanzo beans add a nutty taste.

What is the healthiest bean to eat? ›

The 7 Healthiest Beans to Eat, According to Dietitians
  1. Lentils. Lentils are rich in polyphenols, plant-based compounds that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ...
  2. White Beans. ...
  3. Black Beans. ...
  4. Chickpeas. ...
  5. Pinto Beans. ...
  6. Red Kidney Beans. ...
  7. Lupini Beans.
Aug 14, 2023

What is healthier, pinto or black beans? ›

All in all, black and pinto beans provide similar health benefits since their nutrient content is pretty much the same. One isn't really healthier than the other, and it's best to include both regularly in the diet in order to reap the benefits of both.

Are black beans healthier than regular beans? ›

As you can see from the nutrient breakdown chart of black beans vs. pinto beans, they are almost the same with only very slight nutritional differences. They both have 15 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber per cup.

What to sub for beans in soup? ›

Can't eat beans or lentils? 8 ways to replace them (+ bean-free refried beans, bean-free hummus recipe)
  1. #1 Tofu (and soybeans) ...
  2. #2 Sourgum. ...
  3. #3 Cauliflower Florets (or cauliflower rice) ...
  4. #4 Tempeh. ...
  5. #5 Nuts like cashews and walnuts (or sunflower seeds) ...
  6. #6 Quinoa (and other grains) ...
  7. #6 Peas (or edamame) ...
  8. #7 Mushrooms or Eggplant.

What is the best bean to use in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Can you buy black bean sauce? ›

Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce 205G - Tesco Groceries.

Is hoisin sauce the same as black bean? ›

Is black bean sauce the same as hoisin sauce? To be sure, there are more similarities between these two sauces than differences. They're both salty, savory and slightly sweet fermented soybean condiments, but hoisin sauce is smooth like a thick paste and does have some distinctive characteristics.

What is the name of the Chinese black bean sauce? ›

A condiment called black bean paste, black bean sauce (豆豉醬), or black bean garlic sauce (蒜蓉豆豉酱), Tochidjan (豆豉醬), prepared from douchi, garlic, and soy sauce, is popular in Chinese cuisine.

What kind of beans are black beans? ›

Black beans are classified as legumes. Also known as turtle beans because of their hard, shell-like appearance, black beans are, in fact, the edible seeds of the plant.

Can I substitute great northern beans for black beans? ›

Although great northern beans are very different in appearance from black beans, they are still a good option as a substitute. The texture of great northern beans is very similar to black beans, making them ideal in certain dishes where appearance is unimportant.

Are black beans and pinto beans interchangeable? ›

Pinto beans and black beans are often the stars of such recipes. They are interchangeable in most recipes due to their similar texture and the way they absorb surrounding flavors, despite having distinct taste profiles.

Are black beans the same as cannellini beans? ›

If a recipe calls for white beans, you can use Great Northern beans, navy beans, or white kidney beans (also called cannellini beans). Black Beans are medium-size, oval-shaped beans with matte black skin. Black beans are sweet-tasting with a soft texture.

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