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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
