The Barefoot Contessa’s Cozy Black Bean Soup Recipe

Black bean soup offers a comforting embrace of warm, hearty flavors that dance across your palate with every spoonful.

Robust ingredients blend seamlessly to create a nutritious meal brimming with southwestern-inspired goodness.

Vibrant vegetables and aromatic spices transform simple legumes into a culinary masterpiece that warms both body and soul.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this soup comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Rich and satisfying, the soup delivers complex layers of taste that surprise and delight even picky eaters.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes its unique character to the final, harmonious composition.

Nutritionists love how this soup packs incredible health benefits into a single, delectable bowl: dive in and savor every moment.

Why Black Bean Soup Is a Pantry Staple

• Savor Bold, Comforting Flavors: This black bean soup delivers a robust taste profile with cumin and oregano creating a warm, deeply satisfying experience that feels like a culinary hug.
• Master Quick and Easy Preparation: The recipe requires only one pot and simple chopping techniques, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without complicated steps.
• Enjoy Customizable Texture and Toppings: By partially pureeing the soup, you create a wonderfully creamy yet chunky consistency that allows for personalized finishing touches like fresh cilantro, lime juice, or additional garnishes.
• Boost Nutritional Powerhouse: Black beans provide excellent protein and fiber, while vegetables like peppers, carrots, and celery pack extra nutrients into a single comforting bowl of goodness.

What You’ll Need for the Perfect Blend

Main Ingredients:

• Black Beans: Hearty protein-rich legumes that form the soup's core and provide thick texture.
• Vegetable Broth: Rich liquid base that adds depth and helps create smooth soup consistency.

• Red Pepper, Celery, Onion, Carrot: Classic mirepoix blend offering sweet and savory foundation with layered vegetable flavors.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds robust, sharp flavor to the soup base.

• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that brings authentic southwestern flavor profile.
• Oregano: Fragrant herb contributing subtle Mediterranean undertone.
• Bay Leaf: Provides gentle herbal background note and subtle complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing vegetables with rich, smooth flavor.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb adding bright, clean flavor and green color.
• Lime Juice: Tangy citrus element that brings brightness and balances the soup's richness.

How to Cook Black Bean Soup Like Barefoot Contessa

Step 1: Warm Up the Oil

• Red pepper
• Celery
• Onion
• Carrot

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Stir the vegetables occasionally and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften. Toss in minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

• Black beans
• Vegetable broth
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Bay leaf
• Black pepper
• Salt

Stir everything together and reduce heat to low. Let the soup simmer gently for 25 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Texture

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Use an immersion blender to partially puree about one-third of the soup, creating a richer consistency. Keep some beans whole for texture.

Step 5: Alternative Blending Method

If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer 2-3 cups of soup to a standard blender. Blend until smooth, then return the pureed portion back to the pot and mix well.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Stir in fresh chopped cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings like sour cream, extra cilantro, or diced avocado.

Tips That Boost Flavor Without Extra Fat

• Boost Bean Flavor: Quickly toast ground cumin and chili powder in a dry skillet before adding to the soup for a deeper, more intense taste profile.
• Control Soup Consistency: Keep some chicken broth nearby while blending to adjust thickness if the soup becomes too dense or needs more liquid.
• Elevate Garnish Game: Layer toppings from lightest to heaviest for a stunning presentation that adds both visual appeal and complementary textures.
• Maximize Freshness: Chop garnishes just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp, vibrant colors and flavors.
• Storage Savvy: Cool the soup completely before refrigerating, and store garnishes separately to prevent soggy toppings and maintain optimal texture.

Smart Storage for Black Bean Goodness

• Freeze Smartly: Transfer cooled soup to heavy-duty freezer bags or rigid containers, leaving one-inch headspace to allow expansion. Label with date and contents, ensuring airtight sealing to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity.
• Refrigerate Strategically: Choose glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to preserve soup's taste and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Keep soup in the coldest section of the refrigerator, typically the back, away from the door to maintain consistent temperature.
• Quick Reheat Technique: When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then gently reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching, adding a splash of water or broth if the soup seems too thick.

Black Bean Soup Variations You Can Try

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Add diced jalapeños and a dash of chipotle powder to intensify the heat and create a bold, fiery flavor profile.
• Protein Power Bowl: Mix in shredded chicken or diced chorizo during the final simmering stage for extra protein and a hearty meat-based variation.
• Coconut Creamy Edition: Stir in a quarter cup of coconut milk before pureeing to introduce a rich, tropical undertone that transforms the soup's texture and taste.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace cilantro with fresh parsley, add a dollop of Greek yogurt, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.

Black Bean Soup Recap

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s black bean soup, promising comfort and rich flavors in each spoonful.

Mexican-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and aromas.

Hearty beans mingle with fragrant herbs, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Versatile toppings like sour cream, avocado, or crispy tortilla strips elevate this soup’s delicious profile.

Warm bowls of this recipe invite relaxation and satisfaction at any mealtime.

Share this soul-warming dish with friends, snap a photo for social media, drop a comment below, and spread the delicious joy you’ve discovered!

Barefoot Contessa Black Bean Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s black bean soup brings Mexican-inspired warmth to your kitchen with rich, smoky flavors. Simmered with aromatic spices and garnished with fresh cilantro, you’ll savor each comforting spoonful of this hearty recipe.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 60 ounces (4 cans) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 32 ounces vegetable broth
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• Garnish options: avocado, cilantro, shredded cheese, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, sliced green onion

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a generously sized pot over medium-high temperature until shimmering, then introduce diced red peppers, chopped celery, onions, and carrots to the pan.
2. Sauté the vegetable medley, stirring intermittently, until ingredients soften and become translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to release aromatic flavors.
3. Gently fold in whole black beans, vegetable broth, ground cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, freshly cracked black pepper, and kosher salt. Thoroughly blend ingredients and reduce heat to low, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 25 minutes.
4. Extract the bay leaf from the simmering liquid. Utilize an immersion blender to partially purée approximately one-third of the soup, creating a luxuriously creamy texture while maintaining some intact bean and vegetable chunks.
5. For those without an immersion blender, carefully transfer 2–of hot soup into a standard blender. Process until smooth, then reintroduce the puréed portion back into the main pot, stirring to integrate.
6. Elevate the soup’s brightness by incorporating freshly chopped cilantro and a vibrant squeeze of lime juice. Ladle into warm serving bowls and embellish with preferred garnishes like diced avocado, sour cream, or additional cilantro.

Notes

• Customize the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to match your spice preference.
• Save time by using pre-chopped vegetables from the salad bar or frozen veggie mixes.
• Maximize nutrition by keeping the bean skins intact, which contain extra fiber and minerals.
• Transform leftovers into a quick lunch by serving over rice or with tortilla chips.
• Freeze portions in individual containers for quick meals during busy weeks, keeping the soup fresh for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg