Sheila's Black Bean Soup

Sheila's Black Bean Soup is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and nutrition. This easy-to-make recipe features a medley of fresh vegetables—like diced carrots, celery, and onions—simmered with aromatic spices including smoked paprika, cumin, and a touch of cayenne for a warming kick. Protein-rich black beans and savory vegetable broth form the base of this vegan-friendly soup, while a splash of lime juice adds a zesty brightness. Partially blended for a creamy-yet-chunky texture, it's ready in just 45 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added richness. Perfect for meal prep, this black bean soup is wholesome, satisfying, and brimming with bold Southwest-inspired flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups black beans, canned, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Add the cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Stir to evenly coat the vegetables in the spices and cook for 1 minute to bloom the flavors.

Step 5

Stir in the black beans, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup for a creamier texture. Alternatively, transfer half the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.

Step 7

Stir in the lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Step 8

Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2281.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1650.7

Total Fat 46.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 15mg	0%
Sodium 5869.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 242.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 73.8g	0%
Total Sugars 27.9g
Protein 78.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 639.0mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 4707.3mg	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: 24.5%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 57.1%