Judy's Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Warm, hearty, and packed with bold flavors, Judy's Vegetarian Black Bean Soup is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days or any time you're craving a nutritious, plant-based meal. This one-pot wonder combines tender black beans, aromatic vegetables, and a symphony of spices like smoky paprika and earthy cumin for a deeply satisfying bowl of goodness. A splash of lime juice brightens each bite, while blending part of the soup creates a luscious, creamy texture without the need for dairy. Ready in just 50 minutes, this easy black bean soup is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, serving up to four with ease. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and serve with crusty bread or tortilla chips for a cozy, flavor-packed experience. Vegan, gluten-free, and full of fiber, it’s a recipe you’ll want to revisit time and time again!

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups black beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (canned)
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the black beans, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup directly in the pot, or transfer about 2 cups to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot. This gives the soup a creamy consistency while keeping some texture.

Step 7

Stir in the lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 8

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or tortilla chips on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2867.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1786.7

Total Fat 42.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5524.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 87.1g	0%
Total Sugars 42.8g
Protein 88.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 791.8mg	0%
Iron 29.3mg	0%
Potassium 6279.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 20.7%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 60.3%