Easy Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra virgin preferred)
• 1 medium Onion (peeled and chopped)
• 2 Celery Stalks (chopped)
• 2 medium Carrots (peeled and chopped)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced or pressed)
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chipotle Powder (adjust to taste for heat)
• 4 cups Vegetable Broth (low-sodium if possible)
• 2 15‑oz cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 1 14.5‑oz can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 tablespoons Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
• 1 Avocado (sliced for garnish)
• ¼ cup Sour Cream (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

   Time: PT5M

2. Add Garlic and Spices

   Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and chipotle powder. Fry for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices become fragrant.

   Time: PT1M

3. Combine Liquids and Beans

   Pour in the vegetable broth, add the drained black beans, bay leaves, and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and black pepper. Give everything a quick stir to combine.

   Time: PT2M

4. Simmer the Soup

   Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

   Time: PT30M

5. Blend for Creaminess

   Turn off the heat. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Using a blender, puree about one cup of the soup (or use an immersion blender) and stir the blended portion back into the pot to create a creamy texture.

   Time: PT5M

6. Finish with Lime and Adjust Seasoning

   Stir in the freshly squeezed lime juice. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.

   Time: PT2M

7. Serve and Garnish

   Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream. Add an extra squeeze of lime if desired.

   Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

10 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

8 g