Harlingen-Inspired Spiced Black Bean Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

A hearty, smoky black bean soup seasoned with cumin, garlic, and a touch of chipotle, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime. This Latin American-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 130 minutes, pairs dried black beans, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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

• 1 cup dried black beans
• 6 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• optional, for garnish sour cream

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water overnight or for at least 6 hours. Drain and rinse again before cooking.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the soaked black beans and 6 cups water to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup for a thicker texture, leaving some beans whole.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream if desired.