Chipotle-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro
A smoky, hearty soup featuring black beans, sweet corn, and a hint of chipotle for warmth. This mexican-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes turns (15 oz each) black beans, corn, medium 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 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 chipotle pepper
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 lime
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté 1 medium diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in a pot over medium heat for 3 minutes until softened. Add 1 minced chipotle pepper and 1 tsp cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 cans drained black beans, 1 cup corn, 4 cups vegetable broth, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and juice of 1 lime. Simmer for 5 minutes more before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Chipotle-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro?
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-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro?
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-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Chipotle-Spiced Black Bean Soup with Corn and Cilantro?
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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
