Soulful Ina Garten Black Bean Soup Recipe: Cozy Kitchen Magic

Black bean soup weaves a magical culinary tapestry of Latin American comfort, bursting with soulful richness.

Velvety legumes mingle with vibrant spices, creating a symphony of flavor that dances across your palate.

Hearty and nutritious, this soup transforms humble ingredients into a gourmet experience that warms from the inside out.

Smoky undertones and deep, earthy notes tell stories of generations past, each spoonful brimming with tradition.

Aromatic vegetables and tender beans merge into a harmonious blend that satisfies both hunger and spirit.

Simple yet sophisticated, this soup speaks a language of comfort that crosses cultural landscapes.

Get ready to elevate your dining experience with a recipe that promises pure culinary bliss.

Tips for Flavoring Ina Garten Black Bean Soup

• Boost Vegetable Flavor: Caramelize onions, celery, and carrots slowly to develop deeper, richer taste profiles that enhance the overall soup complexity.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes and cumin according to personal heat preference, ranging from mild to fiery hot depending on individual tolerance.
• Upgrade Protein Potential: Experiment by adding diced chicken, chorizo, or crumbled plant-based sausage for extra protein and more substantial meal options.
• Texture Magic Techniques: Use an immersion blender for smoother consistency or mash some beans with a potato masher to create a more rustic, chunky texture that adds interesting mouthfeel to the black bean soup.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Black Bean Soup

• Serve with Zesty Toppings: Sprinkle fresh cilantro, squeeze lime juice, and add sliced avocado for a burst of bright, fresh flavors that complement the rich, hearty black bean soup.
• Pair with Crispy Companions: Crush tortilla chips or serve alongside warm, crusty bread to add a satisfying crunch and soak up the delicious, creamy soup base.
• Balance with Cool Sides: Create a refreshing contrast by serving a crisp green salad or a tangy slaw that cuts through the soup's warmth and adds a light, vibrant element to the meal.
• Elevate with Protein Boost: Top with crumbled queso fresco, shredded rotisserie chicken, or a dollop of Greek yogurt to transform the soup into a more substantial and protein-packed dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Ina Garten Black Bean Soup

• Onion: Choose a firm, smooth bulb without soft spots for the best flavor foundation.
• Celery: Select crisp, bright green stalks with no wilting for a fresh crunch.
• Carrots: Pick vibrant orange roots that are firm and free from blemishes.

• Garlic: Look for tight, compact heads with no sprouting for intense, sharp flavor.
• Cumin: Opt for freshly ground spice to maximize its warm, earthy notes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Select high-quality, bright red flakes for a robust heat kick.

• Black Beans: Choose canned beans with no added salt for better control of dish's seasoning.
• Vegetable Broth: Select low-sodium versions to manage overall saltiness.

• Cilantro: Pick bright green leaves with no yellowing for a zesty, herbaceous punch.
• White Wine Vinegar, Lime Juice: Select fresh, tangy options to brighten the soup's depth.

• Avocado, Tortilla Chips: Choose ripe avocados and crispy chips for textural contrast.

Tools Required for Ina Garten Black Bean Soup

• Large Pot: Spacious cooking vessel for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, celery, and carrots.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable cutting.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately adding spices like cumin and red pepper flakes.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Can Opener: Essential for opening black bean cans.
• Colander: Great for draining and rinsing beans.
• Blender or Immersion Blender: Crucial for creating smooth, creamy soup texture.
• Measuring Cups: Useful for portioning vegetable broth.
• Garlic Press: Convenient for mincing garlic cloves.
• Ladle: Handy for serving hot soup.

How to Make Ina Garten Black Bean Soup at Home

• Kickstart Vegetable Base

Warm olive oil in a large pot and toss in chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and cook until veggies transform into a golden, tender medley, releasing their sweet essence after about 10-15 minutes.

• Unleash Aromatic Flavor Boost

Introduce minced garlic, a dash of cumin, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Stir quickly, letting the spices dance and release their vibrant fragrance for roughly 30 seconds.

• Bring Beans To Life

Add drained black beans and vegetable broth into the pot. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing ingredients to mingle and soften for half an hour, creating a rich, deep flavor profile.

• Craft Silky Smooth Texture

Scoop out a portion of the soup and transform it into a velvety puree using a blender. Fold the creamy mixture back into the pot, creating a luxurious, cohesive consistency.

• Final Flourish And Serving

Brighten the soup with fresh cilantro and a splash of tangy lime juice or white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Ladle into bowls and crown with optional toppings like creamy avocado slices or crunchy tortilla chips.

Meal Prep and Storage for Ina Garten Black Bean Soup

• Preserve Deliciousness: Store leftover black bean soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining peak flavor and texture.
• Freeze with Ease: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring a quick meal is always ready.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Warm refrigerated soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of vegetable broth if needed to restore original consistency.
• Smart Prep Strategy: Make a double batch and portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners, saving time and reducing cooking stress.

Hearty Ina Garten Black Bean Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s black bean soup brings hearty southwestern flavors to your table with minimal effort. Rich ingredients blend smoothly, delivering complex layers of smoky and spicy notes you will savor completely.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cans (15 oz or 425 g) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ½ tsps ground cumin
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (use ¼ tsp if sensitive to spice)
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 1 to 2 tsps (5 to 10 ml) sherry vinegar or 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh lime juice
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery, and carrots, seasoned with salt. Cook until vegetables soften and become translucent, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Spice Infusion: Stir in garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Toast spices for 30 seconds to release their aromatic essence and deepen the flavor profile.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour black beans and vegetable broth into the pot. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, allowing beans to become tender and absorb the rich, developing flavors.
4. Texture Enhancement: Remove 4 cups of soup and blend until smooth and creamy. Reincorporate the puréed mixture back into the pot, stirring to create a velvety consistency.
5. Finishing Touch: Stir in fresh cilantro, vinegar or lime juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Serve steaming hot, garnished with sliced avocado or crispy tortilla chips for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Soften Vegetables Slowly: Take time to sauté vegetables on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, allowing them to become translucent and develop a rich, deep flavor foundation.
• Bloom Spices Carefully: Toast cumin and red pepper flakes for exactly 30 seconds to release their essential oils and maximize aromatic intensity without burning.
• Blend Strategically: Remove 4 cups of soup and puree until smooth to create a creamy, luxurious texture that transforms the soup’s consistency and mouthfeel.
• Balance Final Flavors: Add cilantro, vinegar or lime juice at the end to brighten the soup’s profile and create a complex, vibrant taste that cuts through the richness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg