Smoky Pinto Bean Sweet Potato (Printable Version)
Smoky pinto beans and sweet potatoes simmered with smoked paprika, cumin, lime—hearty, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1 pound)
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Legumes
07 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
→ Liquids
08 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Finishing Touches
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - Juice of 1 lime
18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
# How To Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and diced red bell pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
03 - Stir in smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), and dried oregano. Toast spices for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced sweet potatoes, pinto beans, diced tomatoes with juice, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine well.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Taste and adjust with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
07 - Stir in lime juice. For a creamier consistency, partially blend soup with an immersion blender if desired.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The rich smokiness and sweet undertones taste like a secret winter supper even on a weeknight.
- Hearty enough for a meal, but leaves you feeling light, not sluggish—plus, it cooks up using basic pantry staples!
02 -
- Forgetting to sauté the spices means missing out on their full smoky fragrance—it&aposs worth that extra minute.
- Letting the soup sit for 10 extra minutes off-heat before serving marries the flavors even further.
03 -
- Slice sweet potatoes into even cubes to avoid some bites turning mushy while others stay hard.
- A quick squeeze of lime right at the end wakes up the entire pot—don&apost skip it.