Cuban Style Black Bean Soup
A hearty Cuban Black Bean Soup bursting with smoky, savory flavors, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for vegetarians seeking bold, flavorful dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 c. black beans ⓘ
- 1/4 c. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 chopped onion ⓘ
- 3/4 c. chopped celery
- 2 cloves minced garlic ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped carrots ⓘ
- 16 c. water ⓘ
- 3 to 6 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper ⓘ
- 1 to 2 tsp. liquid smoke ⓘ
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. dry hot peppers ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted margarine ⓘ
- 1/4 c. fresh lime juice ⓘ
- bay leaves ⓘ
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the black beans overnight or quick-soak them by boiling for 5 minutes and then letting them sit for 1 hour.
- In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion, chopped celery, and minced garlic; sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in chopped carrots and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add soaked beans and water to the pot.
- Season with ground cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, liquid smoke, and dry hot peppers to taste.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
- Stir in unsalted margarine and fresh lime juice; adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Garnish with minced parsley and cilantro, lemon and lime slices, and chopped hard-boiled egg.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Cuban Style Black Bean Soup, consider adding a splash of vinegar or a dash of hot sauce for extra zing. If you're short on time, canned black beans can be used as a substitute; just reduce the cooking time. For a smokier taste, use smoked paprika in place of liquid smoke. Don't forget to soak your beans properly to ensure they cook evenly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Cuban Style Black Bean Soup with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a filling meal. It pairs beautifully with Avocado Crunchies for a delightful texture contrast. Garnish with fresh herbs, lemon and lime slices, or chopped hard-boiled eggs for added flavor. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a fresh salad or grilled vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in individual portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm on the stove over medium heat until heated through, adding a bit of water if the soup is too thick.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cuban Style Black Bean Soup contains roughly 657 calories, with 25g protein, 109g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (128% of the Daily Value), iron (126% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (58% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1275mg per serving (55% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan-friendly! Just ensure that the margarine you use is dairy-free. Additionally, you can enhance the umami flavor by adding more spices or using vegetable broth instead of water.
How can I thicken the soup if it’s too watery?
To thicken your soup, you can mash some of the black beans with a fork or blend a portion of the soup before returning it to the pot. Alternatively, simmer uncovered for a bit longer to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
What if I don’t have liquid smoke?
If you don't have liquid smoke, you can achieve a similar flavor by adding smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Both options will impart a rich, smoky flavor to your Cuban Style Black Bean Soup.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).