Watch How to Make This Black Bean Soup Recipe
The Ingredients for Black Bean Soup
Soup like this is mostly an improvisation. The foundation ingredients are black beans, smoked ham hock or shank, onions, and spices. But even the ham hock or shank you could substitute with some good bacon or a thick cut of ham. Starting out with dry beans means that you can cook them (after a good soaking) for a long time with the smoky ham, allowing the flavor to really infuse the beans. You can use either a smoked ham shank or a ham hock for this soup. Ham shanks typically have more meat on them. If you can’t find shanks or hocks, you can use a half pound ham steak, cut into chunks, to flavor the beans, or a quarter pound of bacon, cooked first to render the fat.
Thick Black Bean Soup
I love black bean soup when it’s thick, almost stew-like. If you like yours thinner, feel free to add water or more chicken stock to this recipe.
Have a Pressure Cooker? Use It to Save Some Time
Do you have a pressure cooker or Instant Pot? If so, you can easily cook the black beans and the ham hock using a pressure cooker, greatly reducing the total time it takes to make this soup. No need to pre-soak the beans if you are using a pressure cooker. We’ve covered the topic of pressure cooking beans in a separate article (see How to Make Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker). For this black bean soup recipe, just add the beans, ham hock, bay leaves, baking soda, salt, and water to the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, with 10 minutes of natural release.
How to Freeze Black Bean Soup
This black bean soup freezes well. Just freeze it in individual portions (here’s how) for up to three months. If you remember, place how ever many portions you need in the fridge the night before to thaw, then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave. If you forget, you can also transfer the frozen soup directly into a saucepan and warm, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally.
What to Serve With Black Bean Soup
Serve bowls of this soup topped with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and a scoop of sour cream. Include homemade tortilla chips on the side for dipping!
More Soups to Warm You Inside and Out
Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Smoked Paprika Slow Cooker Taco Soup Broccoli Cheddar Soup Pressure Cooker Chicken Soup Tuscan Bean Soup
Prep the onion, sweet potato, carrot, celery, garlic, and red bell pepper while the beans are cooking in step 1.
1 pound dried black beans, (about 2 cups), rinsed, soaked in 4 quarts of water overnight or 6 hours, drained 1 pound smoked ham hock or shank 2 bay leaves 5 cups water 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (2 cups) 1 medium sweet potato, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups) (can substitute 2 large carrots) 1 carrot, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1 celery rib, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1 teaspoon salt 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons chile powder 2 cups chicken stock (add 2 teaspoons of salt, if using unsalted stock) 1 tablespoon molasses 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped 3 to 4 tablespoons lime juice (can substitute lemon juice) Salt
To serve:
Chopped fresh cilantro Sour cream Avocado, peeled and chopped
Pressure cooking instructions: If you have a pressure cooker, you can save time by putting the un-soaked dry beans and the ham shank into a pressure cooker. Add 5 cups of water, 2 bay leaves, baking soda, and salt. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes, do a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes before completely releasing the pressure. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the onions, celery, carrot, sweet potato, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and softened, 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add the cumin, chile powder, and garlic. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve with garnishes. Note that the soup may continue to thicken. If you would like it thinner, just add some water to desired consistency.
