My family loves this easy black bean soup. Use your favorite stock or broth to make it. I love veggie broth, which keeps it vegetarian, but chicken stock works well, too. Serve this brothy or blend a portion or all of the soup to make it super creamy.
4 (15oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed or use 6 cups cooked black beans
1 to 3 canned chipotles in adobo, finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced onion, 1/2 large onion
3/4 cup diced carrots, 1 large carrot
1 tablespoon minced garlic, 3 to 4 cloves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lime juice
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes, try fire roasted tomatoes
4 cups (946ml) vegetable broth, see our homemade veggie broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
For serving: Avocado, lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, cheese
1Open the can of chipotles and adobo sauce, remove a pepper (or more for spicier soup), and mince finely.
2Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep pot over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring often, until they have softened slightly and smell sweet, about 5 minutes.
3Stir in the garlic, cumin, and oregano, and cook for 30 seconds.
4Add the vinegar or lime juice, minced chipotles and adobo sauce, can of tomatoes, broth, black beans, and bay leaf.
5Bring to a simmer, taste, and then season with salt and pepper.
6Simmer the soup until the carrots are tender, and the broth reduces slightly, about 20 minutes.
7Stir in the cilantro and the juice from half a lime (or substitute the lime with an additional tablespoon of vinegar).
8For a brothy soup (like in our photos and video), serve the soup straight away.
9For a thicker, more velvety soup, transfer 1/4 of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the blended portion back into the soup and serve.