Smoky Black Bean Hearty Soup (Printable Version)
Smoky black beans, tomatoes, and smoked paprika simmered with veggies for a hearty, protein-rich vegan bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 1 large carrot, diced
04 - 1 celery stalk, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
→ Beans & Tomatoes
07 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Liquids
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
16 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - 1 bay leaf
→ Garnishes (optional)
19 - Chopped fresh cilantro
20 - Lime wedges
21 - Avocado slices
# How To Make:
01 - Warm olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery; cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Incorporate garlic, diced red bell pepper, and minced jalapeño if using. Continue to sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
03 - Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute to release aromas.
04 - Blend in tomato paste, diced tomatoes with juices, black beans, and bay leaf. Pour in vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
06 - Remove the bay leaf. For a heartier consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup or transfer 2 cups to a blender, process until smooth, and return to the pot.
07 - Taste and adjust salt or seasonings as needed. Stir well to combine.
08 - Serve hot in bowls, topping each portion with cilantro, lime wedges, and avocado slices if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This soup tastes as though it simmered all day, but comes together in under an hour—a little kitchen magic I love sharing with friends.
- It&aposs deeply filling and brimming with flavor, so nobody misses the meat (or the gluten).
02 -
- If you try to rush the initial veggie sauté, the soup ends up tasting flat—so slow down and let them get soft and sweet.
- Skipping the smoked paprika is a dealbreaker—the flavor just isn&apost the same without it.
03 -
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the caramelized bits from the pot after toasting the spices—those browned bits are pure flavor.
- Always add lime juice just before serving—it brightens the entire bowl and ties all the flavors together.