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Weeknight • Soups

Hearty Mexican-Inspired Bean Soup

A robust and flavorful vegetarian soup packed with beans, corn, and vibrant spices.

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
6
Level
Weeknight
Hearty Mexican-Inspired Bean Soup

Warm up with a bowl of this incredibly satisfying and Hearty Mexican-Inspired Bean Soup! It’s brimming with pantry staples, comes together easily, and is bursting with rich, smoky flavors. Perfect for a cozy night in, it's hearty enough to be a whole meal and even better as leftovers!

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles (mild or medium)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: avocado, fresh cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream or Greek yogurt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained black beans, pinto beans, frozen corn, vegetable broth, diced green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and black pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.

  5. Step 5

    Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you like a thicker soup, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon or use an immersion blender for a creamier consistency (blend only a portion if you prefer some whole beans).

  6. Step 6

    Ladle into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings like fresh avocado, cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, or a dollop of sour cream/Greek yogurt.

Tips

  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño with the onion.
  • Make it a full meal by serving with warm tortillas or cornbread.
  • This soup freezes beautifully! Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
  • Add fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra layer of smoky flavor.

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