Chipotle-Infused Black Bean Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky, hearty soup with black beans, chipotle peppers, and a hint of lime for balanced warmth. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes turns (15 oz) cans black beans, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, medium yellow onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Finely chop 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the pot, stirring for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 2 (15 oz) cans black beans (rinsed and drained). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup lime juice and 2 tbsp lime zest. Blend 1/2 of the soup with an immersion blender until smooth, then return to the pot and stir to combine.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chipotle-Infused Black Bean Soup take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Chipotle-Infused Black Bean Soup?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Infused 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 Chipotle-Infused 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.

Is Chipotle-Infused Black Bean Soup vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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