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

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe - Isabel Eats (4)

4.82 from 59 votes

Easy Black Bean Soup

servings: 6 servings

Print Pin Review Save

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!

    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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FAQs

How to make a can of black beans better? ›

You can enhance canned black beans by sautéing onions and garlic, adding spices like cumin and chili powder, or mixing in diced tomatoes and cilantro for extra flavor. Experimenting with different herbs and seasonings can also make them more enjoyable.

What is the closest bean to a black bean? ›

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. They hold their shape and don't break down as easily.

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.

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

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. When cooked, this bean turns pinkish in color.

Should I rinse canned black beans for soup? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

What can I add to canned beans to make them taste better? ›

I also like to add a peeled, smashed clove of garlic, or maybe a bay leaf or a few sprigs of thyme. After 10 to 15 minutes, the beans will be warm and fragrant, ready to be spooned over a piece of garlicky toast, or served alongside grilled sausages and sautéed greens.

What is a Mexican substitute for black beans? ›

Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are a great substitute for black beans, especially in Mexican dishes. Pinto beans are slightly creamier than black beans and have a more earthy flavor, but they can still provide a similar protein-rich base for your dishes.

What type of beans are Chinese black beans? ›

Chinese fermented black beans (dou chi) are made from soybeans fermented in salt (the black color comes from fermentation). They are a staple in a huge array of Chinese dishes and are prominently used in Cantonese cooking, adding a complexity of flavor that is even deeper than soy sauce.

What is the best variety of black beans? ›

Midnight Black Beans are an improved, upright-growing, black bean strain. The tall bush keeps the pods off the ground. This is a late season bean, maturing in 104 days. It has good yield and is the best variety of this Latin favorite bean type.

Which are healthier kidney or black beans? ›

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 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 is a substitute for black bean sauce? ›

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

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 the best tasting bean? ›

What Are The Best Beans To Eat
  • Kidney Beans.
  • Chickpeas Or Garbanzo Beans.
  • Black Beans.
  • Pinto Beans.
  • Navy Beans.
  • Lentils.
  • Peas.
  • Soybeans.
Jun 25, 2020

Are black beans good for diabetics? ›

Best beans for people with diabetes

Black beans: These commonly found beans are packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They have a low GI and provide steady energy without causing a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Black beans also contain essential nutrients like folate, iron, and magnesium.

What happens if you don't rinse canned black beans? ›

"If you rinse your beans thoroughly, you will have a consistently flavored product, but if you do not rinse them, different amounts of salt will remain in the dish each time you cook it, and it will be hard to cook consistently," he says.

Are canned black beans healthy? ›

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.

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