Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans

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

A warming smoky tomato soup enriched with chipotle peppers and hearty black beans, perfect for a comforting meal. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes turns olive oil, medium yellow onion, chopped, garlic cloves, minced 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 180 calories and feeds 6, 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: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped medium yellow onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Add 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained and rinsed black beans, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup to a chunky texture, or blend half in a blender and return to pot. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans?

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 Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans?

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 Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans 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 Smoky Tomato and Chipotle Soup with Black Beans 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.

Related recipes