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

←Older Comments

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Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is the closest bean to black beans? ›

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are meaty in texture and on the dense side- unlike pinto beans but quite similar to the texture of black beans which makes them the perfect substitute.

What can I substitute for black bean sauce? ›

Hoisin sauce has that same profile, as does miso paste, oyster sauce, light soy sauce or ketchup manis.

Can I replace kidney beans with black beans? ›

Best Kidney Bean Substitutes by Common Use

Black beans, garbanzo beans, and cannellini beans will work best in chili and soups where you want the firm texture of a bean. If you do not mind the beans breaking down a bit, pinto beans will also work well.

How does bean soup get thick? ›

In a separate bowl, dissolve a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or all-purpose flour in a small amount of cold water. Add the slurry to the bubbling soup. The soup should thicken up. Add more cornstarch or flour as needed until the soup reaches your desired consistency.

Are kidney or black beans healthier? ›

Some news stories have picked up on preliminary studies showingblack beans among the highest in certain antioxidants. However,other research shows kidney beans slightly higher in totalantioxidant power. Different types of analysis and cooking methodsare enough to blur nutritional differences among these healthyoptions.

Are black beans good for you? ›

The nutrition profile of black beans is impressive. Black beans are naturally gluten-free and vegan, and high in both protein and fiber. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and have been linked to reductions in disease risk, according to a 2022 review in Nutrients.

What can I substitute for black beans in soup? ›

Navy or cannellini beans make for a good substitute for black beans because their shape is similar. Their texture is a little bit softer than a black bean but their flavor is mild. Where to find it: These beans are extremely common and are found at nearly any grocery store in dried or canned form.

What is black bean sauce made of? ›

Chinese black bean sauce, also known as “black bean garlic sauce” is a rich and flavourful condiment commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It is made from fermented black soybeans, garlic, ginger and other seasonings. The sauce has a distinctive umami flavour and a savoury, slightly sweet taste.

Is hoisin sauce the same as black bean? ›

Is Hoisin Sauce the Same as Black Bean 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.

Are black beans better for you than Pinto? ›

Pinto and black beans are extremely similar in their nutritional values. They both offer protein, fiber, calories, iron, vitamin B1 and more. However, pinto beans have slightly more calories, carbs, fiber and fat content.

Can I use pinto beans instead of black beans? ›

Black bean substitutes:

Pinto beans - Pinto beans make a great substitute for black beans in a variety of dishes. They are a great substitute in Mexican dishes. Pinto beans have a creamier texture than black beans, but they are a great swap.

Can you eat black beans if you have kidney disease? ›

Recent research shows the benefits of plant-based foods in the kidney diet. Beans are great for people with kidney disease to enjoy.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

Before serving, season with additional salt, to taste.
  • Spices. A blend of favorites to give the soup big-time flavor, including smoked paprika. ...
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. One of my pantry staples! ...
  • Red Wine Vinegar. For a touch of acid and brightness. ...
  • Parmesan Cheese. The perfect finish for a touch of creaminess.
Feb 16, 2024

Why is my bean soup foaming? ›

Never fear: That foam is actually totally natural and completely safe. But what the heck is it? During the canning process, legumes from beans to chickpeas leach out some of their starch and proteins into the liquid, which is sometimes called aquafaba.

What can I use to thicken black bean soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

What is the same as black beans? ›

Black Bean Substitutes

It's easy to swap out one type of bean for another, especially in recipes like soups, stews, or casseroles. Some will look quite different, have different textures, and tastes. Great northern and pinto beans are most similar to black beans in texture.

What is a good substitute for black-eyed beans? ›

If necessary, you can substitute another type of bean for black-eyed peas—Pinkeye Purple Hull peas, also known as Southern Pink Lady peas, are another, lesser-known Southern staple and variety of cowpea would be an excellent choice.

Are pinto beans the same as black beans? ›

While both beans are delicious and nutritional, there are some key differences between the two. Pinto beans are larger, softer and creamier than black beans. Pinto beans are usually light brown with spots; in fact, “pinto” is Spanish for “painted,” as this bean has a painted appearance.

Can you use great northern beans in place of black beans? ›

Great northern beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber and are iron, magnesium, and folate, just like black beans. The mildness of the great northern bean makes them great for adding to dishes to bulk them up or make them hardier without adding a lot of extra flavors.

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