Vegan Soups
Hearty Smoky Vegan Soup with Black Beans
This deeply savory soup relies on the earthy depth of black beans and the smoldering heat of chipotle peppers. Blending a portion of the beans releases their natural starches, creating a velvety texture that serves as a high-protein base for bright lime and fresh coriander.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 310 kcal
Method
Warm up with a bowl of this smoky vegan soup, a protein-packed black bean meal that comes together in just thirty minutes. Infused with chipotle peppers and zesty lime, this recipe is a staple of simple vegan cooking that provides a deep, satisfying flavor without any complicated steps.
Step 1. Heat the avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and carrots, cooking for about 6-8 minutes until the onions are translucent and the carrots have softened slightly.Stir in the garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and minced chipotle peppers. Sauté the spices for 1-2 minutes; this technique, known as blooming, uses the heat of the oil to release fat-soluble flavor compounds, ensuring the soup has a deep, toasted aroma rather than a raw spice taste.
Pour in the black beans and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to integrate.
Use an immersion blender to pulse the soup 3 or 4 times. You want to blend roughly one-third of the beans. This matters because the broken beans release internal starches that naturally thicken the broth into a creamy consistency without requiring any additional flour or thickeners.
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the lime juice and fresh coriander just before serving to maintain their bright, acidic, and herbal notes.
Season with salt to taste and serve hot.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, use fire-roasted canned tomatoes as a base addition with the vegetable stock.
The chipotle peppers in adobo provide the 'smoky' element; start with one pepper if you prefer a milder heat profile.
Serve with sliced avocado to add a creamy texture that balances the acidity of the lime.
Black beans are a powerhouse of plant protein and fiber; pairing this soup with a whole grain like brown rice or corn tortillas creates a highly satiating meal.
