Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote

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

A hearty black bean soup infused with achiote, slow-simmered with vegetables and served with a bright lime-cilantro garnish. This puerto rican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 95 minutes pairs (rinsed) dried black beans, achiote paste, (diced) carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 85 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup rinsed dried black beans, 4 cups chicken stock, 1/2 cup diced carrots, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour until beans are tender.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 1/2 tbsp achiote paste and simmer for an additional 15 minutes until flavors meld and soup thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree half the soup until smooth, then return to the pot and stir in 2 tbsp lime juice. Simmer for 5 more minutes on low heat.
  4. Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with 3 tbsp chopped cilantro and a lime wedge on the side.

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 Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (10 min prep + 85 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 Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote?

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 (rinsed) dried black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote?

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 Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote 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 Sopa de Frijoles con Achiote 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

Related recipes