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Hearty Black Bean Soup: A Flavorful Comfort Meal
Arkely

Hearty Black Bean Soup: A Flavorful Comfort Meal

Warm up on a chilly evening or enjoy this comforting soup as a hearty lunch. Packed with rich, smoky flavors from chipotle peppers and earthy spices, this black bean soup is perfect for any occasion. The creamy texture of the pureed beans complements the vibrant vegetables, making it both satisfying and delicious.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 267
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 celery ribs diced
  • 1 medium carrot diced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans (including the liquid in the cans)
  • 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce chopped, plus 2 tablespoons sauce*
  • 1½ cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice plus wedges for serving
  • Optional toppings: avocado cilantro, sour cream or vegan sour cream, pickled onions, serrano peppers, pepitas

Method
 

Main Method
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Work through this step deliberately rather than rushing it, because this is where the texture and balance of the recipe start to take shape. Keep the listed quantities and order of operations unchanged, and have the next ingredients ready before you move on.
  2. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili powder and stir for 30 seconds. Stir in the beans and their liquid, chipotles, adobo sauce, and broth. Simmer for 30 minutes. Work through this step deliberately rather than rushing it, because this is where the texture and balance of the recipe start to take shape.
  3. Keep the listed quantities and order of operations unchanged, and have the next ingredients ready before you move on.
  4. Let cool slightly, then transfer half of the soup to a blender. Puree until smooth, then add it back to the pot with the remaining soup and stir. Work through this step deliberately rather than rushing it, because this is where the texture and balance of the recipe start to take shape. Keep the listed quantities and order of operations unchanged, and have the next ingredients ready before you move on.
  5. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree half the soup in the pot. Stir in the lime juice. Work through this step deliberately rather than rushing it, because this is where the texture and balance of the recipe start to take shape. Keep the listed quantities and order of operations unchanged, and have the next ingredients ready before you move on.
  6. Season to taste and serve with lime wedges and desired toppings. Work through this step deliberately rather than rushing it, because this is where the texture and balance of the recipe start to take shape. Keep the listed quantities and order of operations unchanged, and have the next ingredients ready before you move on. Pay attention to the sensory cues in the food: aroma, color, softness, thickness, and how easily the ingredients move when stirred or handled.
  7. These signs are usually more reliable than timing alone. The biggest mistake is moving ahead before this step looks complete.