Garcia's Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Soup

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

A smoky, protein-packed soup with black beans, corn, and a kick of chipotle, ideal for lunch or a light dinner. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes turns (15 oz each) black beans, frozen corn, chicken broth 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 240 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 240 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (including some sauce) and 1 tsp cumin, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cans (15 oz each) rinsed black beans, bringing to a gentle simmer.
  3. Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, then add 1 cup frozen corn and cook for 5 more minutes until corn is tender. Stir in 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, then ladle into bowls and garnish with extra lime wedges.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garcia's Spicy Chipotle 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 Spicy Chipotle 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 Garcia's Spicy Chipotle 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 Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Soup 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.

Is Garcia's Spicy Chipotle 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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