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Flavorful Smoky Black Bean Soup Recipe with Easy Lime Crema Topping

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A smoky, savory black bean soup balanced with a bright and tangy lime crema topping. This easy, comforting soup is perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups canned black beans (about 2 cans, 15 oz each), drained and rinsed
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (32 fl oz), preferably low sodium
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons), plus a splash for the soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema (4 fl oz) for lime crema topping
  • A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain the black beans. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Mince the chipotle peppers carefully.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and chipotle peppers, stirring for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle in cumin and smoked paprika. Stir to toast the spices lightly, releasing their aroma.
  5. Pour in the black beans and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
  6. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly.
  7. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth but still a bit chunky for texture. Alternatively, blend in batches in a countertop blender, filling no more than halfway and venting the lid.
  8. Stir in a splash of fresh lime juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. In a small bowl, combine sour cream or Mexican crema with lime juice and zest. Stir until smooth and tangy. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
  10. Ladle soup into bowls and top generously with lime crema. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Notes

If the soup is too thick after blending, add more broth or water to reach desired consistency. Add chipotle peppers carefully to avoid overpowering bitterness. Make lime crema fresh just before serving for best flavor. For vegan version, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt or cashew cream. Soup can be made in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, then blended and topped.

Nutrition

Keywords: black bean soup, smoky soup, chipotle, lime crema, easy soup, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup, quick dinner

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