Smoky Black Bean Soup
I love black bean soup.
Let me restate that…I love GOOD black bean soup…
and I’ve had many of a ‘so-so’ black bean soup in my time…
Today I’m sharing with you a flavor-intense black bean soup that boasts sweetness, a little bit of heat and a smoky flavor…
touched by bacon!
This recipe presents ‘layers of flavors’…
the smokiness of bacon…the sweetness of red peppers, ketchup and Worcestershire…
Add a good chili powder and cumin…
and NOW you’re cooking!
Before serving, add a squeeze of lime, a dollop of sour cream and a garnish of Cilantro.
The result…
Layers of flavors!
Don’t stop there…
It goes perfectly with Skillet Cornbread.
Sweet cornbread with undertones of browned butter.
If you’re looking for a evening filled with comfort food…
and depth of flavors….
Try this.
That’s all….just try this.
- 10 slices center-cut bacon, finely chopped
- 2 cups onions, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 red pepper, finely chopped
- 1 (14½-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 4 (15½-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cilantro for garnish
- Juice of ½ lime
- Sour cream for garnish
- Chop the bacon into thin pieces and cook in a cast iron skillet until crisp.
- Remove bacon and place in the bottom of a soup pot with a bit of bacon grease.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic.
- Saute until soft and fragrant.
- Add chopped red pepper and cook until partially soft.
- Add chicken broth, tomatoes, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add black beans and bring to boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Ladle soup into bowls.
- Squeeze lime juice over each bowl.
- Garnish with sour cream and chopped cilantro.
6 comments on “Smoky Black Bean Soup”
Leave a Reply to Kiri W. Cancel reply
what a perfect meal! such comfort food!
Mmm, that looks fantastic! While I’m not into cornbread, that soup just looks amazing. I love black beans, and bacon always makes for an awesome rich taste in a soup.
I made this tonight and it was amazing! The flavor that the bacon added was unbelievable. I halved the recipe because it’s only my husband and I and I am sad now that I don’t have a lot of leftovers! Great recipe!
The bacon does the trick, doesn’t it? I’m glad you tried it!
I love this soup, and have made it several times for my home. I serve soup when my extended family comes over a few days after Christmas, and am wondering if you’ve ever frozen this soup? I’d love to make my soups ahead of time and spend the day of our gathering reheating them instead of cooking.
Elizabeth – I have not frozen this specific soup but ghetto ingredients are very similar to chili which I have frozen successfully in the past. So try it – it should be fine! Let me know!