Smoky Black Bean Soup (Printable version)

A hearty blend of smoky beans, sweet potatoes, and lime crema perfect for warming meals.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)

→ Beans and Liquids

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for heat
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Lime Crema

16 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - Zest of 1 lime
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
19 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes

20 - Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
21 - Sliced jalapeños, optional
22 - Lime wedges, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced bell pepper; cook for 2 additional minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook while stirring for 2 minutes to activate spice flavors.
04 - Add drained black beans, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, and vegetable broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
05 - Cover pot and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until sweet potatoes are completely tender.
06 - Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup in the pot, leaving some chunky pieces for body and texture. Alternatively, transfer 2 cups to a countertop blender, puree until smooth, and return to the pot.
07 - While the soup simmers, whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime zest, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
08 - Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, and spices to your preference.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of lime crema. Add desired garnishes such as fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky spices warm you from the inside while the lime crema keeps things light and balanced, so you never feel weighed down.
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can have something restaurant-quality on a busy Tuesday without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of toasting the spices in the hot oil, it's the difference between a soup that tastes like someone threw spices into broth and one that tastes intentional and deep.
  • The partial puree is crucial, a completely smooth soup loses character, but a chunky one feels incomplete, so find the balance that feels right to you.
03 -
  • If your soup breaks or the vegetables don't soften evenly, you likely have the heat too high, so reign it back and let it simmer gently, which is where real cooking happens anyway.
  • Save a little bit of the broth separate before adding the beans, so if your soup gets too thick after blending you can thin it back out without diluting the flavor.
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