Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup
This hearty, smoky black bean soup is the best comfort food—packed with flavor from smoked paprika and a touch of heat. This mexican-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs (15 oz cans) black beans, (14.5 oz can) diced tomatoes, (1 cup) onion 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
- 2 (15 oz cans) black beans
- 1 (14.5 oz can) diced tomatoes
- 1 (1 cup) onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (1 oz can) canned chipotle peppers
- 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent and golden at the edges.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp cumin, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 (15 oz) cans black beans (rinsed), 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, and 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 (1 oz) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, breaking them into small pieces. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until flavors deepen.
- Step 5: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches). Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 6: Squeeze juice from 1 lime into the soup, stirring until fully incorporated. Serve hot with extra lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup?
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 (15 oz cans) black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup?
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 Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup 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 Best-Kept Secret Smoky Black Bean Soup?
Mexican 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.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
