Homestyle Mexican Black Bean and Corn Soup with Cilantro and Lime

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A hearty vegetarian soup bursting with black beans, sweet corn, and fresh cilantro, brightened with a squeeze of lime. This Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 cups black beans, cooked or canned, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes with juice
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 small minced jalapeño (optional). Cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 3 cups drained and rinsed black beans, 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 cup diced tomatoes with juice. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 20 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Step 6: Serve hot with optional garnishes like avocado slices or tortilla chips.