black bean soup

Black Bean Soup

Dried or canned black beans are simmered with onion, garlic, and spices to create a deeply flavored soup with a dark, rich base. The beans soften as they cook, releasing starch that naturally thickens the broth. Ingredients such as cumin, oregano, or chili add warmth and depth, while slow simmering allows the flavors to meld into a cohesive, savory mixture.

As the soup cooks, part of the beans may be blended or mashed to achieve a smoother, thicker consistency while leaving some whole for texture. The broth becomes velvety as it reduces, coating each spoonful with concentrated flavor. The preparation highlights simple techniques that transform legumes into a hearty, well-balanced soup.

Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Soup
Beans
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 slices (2 oz.) bacon, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, 1 cup, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, ½ cup, chopped
  • ½ green pepper, ½ cup, chopped
  • 4 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 14 oz. cans black beans
  • 4 Tbsp. sofrito
  • 2 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. ground oregano
  • 1 tsp. ground thyme
  • 1 tsp. ground cilantro or 1 Tbsp. cilantro paste
  • ½ tsp. ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. lime juice
  • ¼ tsp. sugar

Instructions 

  • Brown chopped bacon in the pot, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel to drain.
  • Add olive oil to bacon fat and heat until shimmering.
  • Add onion, celery, and green pepper and sauté until soft (5-10 minutes).
  • Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add oregano, thyme, cilantro, and cumin and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
  • Add sofrito and reduce until base is thickened.
  • Add black beans to the pot and cover with chicken stock and stir.
  • Add salt, black pepper, bay leaves, white wine vinegar, lime juice, and sugar.
  • Bring soup to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the lid from the pot and simmer until thickened or remove a ladle full of beans, smash, and return to the pot.
  • Top with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.