Smoky Black Bean and Ham Soup

Dive into a comforting bowl of Smoky Black Bean and Ham Soup, a hearty and flavor-packed dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. This vibrant recipe combines tender black beans, smoky diced ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, all simmered in a rich broth infused with smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. With a touch of lime juice and fresh cilantro for a bright finish, this soup achieves the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and fresh flavors. Ready in just an hour and featuring a thick, satisfying texture thanks to a quick blending step, this one-pot wonder is both nourishing and easy to prepare. Whether served as a main course or alongside crusty bread, this soup promises to become your next comfort-food favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups black beans (canned or soaked/dried)
• 1.5 cups ham, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (optional, for serving)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced ham to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables and spices.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the black beans. Simmer the soup for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and use a ladle to transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Blend until smooth, then return the puréed mixture to the pot for a thicker consistency.

Step 8

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 9

Serve the soup hot with a squeeze of lime juice and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3180.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1880.8

Total Fat 56.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 187.5mg	0%
Sodium 12761.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 198.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 64.8g	0%
Total Sugars 25.1g
Protein 147.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 592.9mg	0%
Iron 21.1mg	0%
Potassium 4552.7mg	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: 26.8%

Protein: 31.3%

Carbs: 41.9%