Garcia's Black Bean Soup
A hearty, smoky soup with protein-packed black beans, corn, and a hint of cumin for deep flavor. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken broth, frozen corn kernels, (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed black beans
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 medium, juiced lime
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent (5 minutes), then add garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add drained black beans, chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juice, and frozen corn. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 3: Stir in lime juice, then taste and adjust salt if needed. Simmer 5 more minutes until corn is tender and soup is heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Black Bean Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Garcia's 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 chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's 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 Garcia's 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 Garcia's 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
