Favorite Black Bean Soup
This recipe crafts a quick and flavorful black bean soup, perfect for a hearty meal. It features sautéed onions and garlic, aromatic cumin, and two cans of undrained black beans, enriched with a jar of your favorite salsa. A final touch of fresh lime juice brightens the robust flavors, resulting in a satisfying and easy-to-prepare dish.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For sautéing aromatics and simmering the soup.
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing vegetables.
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping onion and garlic.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and scraping the pot.
- 1 Potato Masher Optional, for partially mashing beans to thicken the soup.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup medium yellow onion peeled and chopped (or use 1 ½ Trader Joe's Freshly Diced Onio
- 1 clove crushed garlic or 1 cube frozen Crushed Garlic (available at Trader Joe's
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 15-oz cans black beans (do not drain)
- 1 cup half a jar of your favorite salsa, such as Trader Joe's Chunky Salsa
- 2 tablespoons lime juice juice of 1 lime
- Plain yogurt or sour cream optional
Instructions
- Peel and chop the yellow onion into a medium dice, and crush the garlic clove.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed garlic and ground cumin; cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in both cans of black beans (undrained) and the entire jar of salsa.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- For a thicker, creamier soup, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash about one-third of the black beans directly in the pot.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lime juice.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice to your preference.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, topping with a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream if desired.
Notes
To build a robust flavor base, ensure your onions are properly softened and slightly caramelized before adding the garlic and cumin. Toasting the cumin briefly with the aromatics helps release its full fragrance. For a heartier texture without a blender, use a potato masher to crush about one-third of the beans directly in the pot; this creates a creamy consistency while leaving plenty of whole beans. The lime juice is crucial at the end for brightening the dish and cutting through the richness – always use fresh for the best results. Adjust the amount of salsa based on your preferred spice level and serve hot, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish.