Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning
A rich, deeply flavorful bean soup inspired by Havana's street food stalls, featuring smoky spices and slow-simmered perfection. This cuban-inspired soups ready in about 140 minutes pairs soaked overnight black beans, smoked paprika, cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, soaked overnight black beans
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups, diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain and rinse soaked black beans, then add to a pot with 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 1 hour until beans are tender but not mushy.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp cumin for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups diced tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down into a thick sauce, stirring often.
- Step 4: Pour the tomato-spice mixture into the pot with beans, add 4 cups chicken broth and 1 tbsp orange zest. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and soup thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and serve hot with additional cilantro for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (15 min prep + 125 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soaked overnight black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Cuban Black Bean Soup with Smoky Mojo Seasoning?
Cuban soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
