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Creamy Black Bean Soup with Savory Spices

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A rich and velvety black bean soup infused with smoky cumin, paprika, and oregano, blended partially for a creamy texture and brightened with fresh lime juice. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked black beans or two 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin if possible)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced (optional)
  • 1 celery stalk, diced (optional)
  • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish (optional)
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients by chopping the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery finely. Rinse and drain black beans if using canned.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aroma.
  5. Add black beans, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Remove bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, puree about half the soup in the pot to create a creamy texture while keeping some bean chunks. If using a regular blender, puree half the soup in batches and return to pot.
  8. Stir in fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve warm, garnished with chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Notes

Do not rush sautéing the vegetables to build flavor. Blend only half the soup for perfect creamy texture. Add lime juice at the end to brighten flavors. For a smoky twist, add chipotle powder or smoked sea salt. Soup can be made spicier with cayenne or chipotle pepper. Use low sodium broth and rinse canned beans to control salt. Soup freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: black bean soup, creamy soup, savory spices, easy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/creamy-black-bean-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-savory-spices-guide/