Bean Options:
You can easily use canned black beans for this recipe! That said, if you’re feeling up to it, you can opt to use dried beans. You’ll have to let them soak in water overnight and then cook them in boiling water until they’re tender before you add them to your soup. It’s an extra step, but totally worth it if you’ve got some extra time on your hands!
Topping Ideas:
We love topping our black bean soup from scratch with:
A crumbly cheese like CotijaMexican crema or sour creamSliced avocadoLime juiceCrumbled tortilla chips or tortilla stripsFresh cilantro
Plant-Based Options:
If you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in this recipe it will be naturally vegetarian! If you’re vegan and don’t eat any animal products, simply omit the cheese garnish. You can replace it with a plant-based cheese replacement, or you can go without and use only avocado, tortilla chips, and cilantro.
Spice Level Adjustments:
If you’re cooking for young children who don’t like spicy foods, or if you yourself don’t like them, there are a few adjustments that you can make to our recipe. Green chiles are moderately hot, so you can replace those with some extra green bell pepper. You can also skip the added hot sauce.
Immersion Blender Options:
You’ll need to blend your black bean soup from scratch to get the perfect texture. To do so, you can use a handheld immersion blender – just be sure not to blend completely as you want the end results to be a bit chunky. You can also use a standard blender. Blend just half of the soup for the best results!
Troubleshooting: How Do You Thicken Black Bean Soup?
One of the biggest reasons for blending this soup as instructed above is to give it a thick and hearty texture. If, after blending, you’re still not satisfied with the consistency, you can add in a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry you’ll need to mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, and then stir that slurry mixture into your soup.
Can I Make This Recipe in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Whether you’re a set it and forget it kind of chef, or you’re obsessed with your Instant Pot, you can make this dish in a slow cooker or your IP. We’ve included directions for both below. When you use your slow cooker, you’ll have to let your soup cook for much longer, but all you’ll have to do is load up all of your ingredients and set the temperature and cook time. If you use an Instant Pot, your soup will be ready in just 15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Our easy black bean soup recipe can be served on its own for a hearty weeknight dinner. If you want to beef up your meal a little bit, consider serving with:
Mexican riceButtermilk cornbreadSalad: Mexican street corn salad or arugulaOld-fashioned biscuits
This soup freezes wonderfully as well. Place your fully cooled black bean soup from scratch in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 2 months. Make sure to let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you reheat it for the best results. If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious soup recipes:
Easy Cheddar Broccoli SoupCreamy Chicken SoupChinese Hot and Sour SoupMexican Street Corn Soup
Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes. Δ Δ
