Zesty Slow-Cooked Spicy Black Bean Soup
Warm up with this hearty and flavorful Zesty Slow-Cooked Spicy Black Bean Soup, perfect for chilly evenings and gatherings. This robust soup combines the earthiness of black beans with the refreshing zest of vegetables and spices, creating a delightful balance of heat and flavor. With the ease of a Crock Pot, this recipe stews together ingredients for hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Top it off with a squeeze of fresh lime, a dollop of tangy yogurt, and a sprinkle of cilantro for a burst of freshness that elevates every bite. Enjoy it as a standalone meal or as a side dish for your favorite main courses. This recipe serves a crowd, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping or entertaining friends and family.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried black beans
1 lb (soaked overnight, drained and rinsed)
water
1 1/2 quarts (fresh)
carrot
1 (chopped)
celery
1 (chopped)
large red onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
green bell peppers
2 (chopped)
jalapeno peppers
2 (chopped)
lentils
1/4 cup (uncooked)
diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (with juice)
chili powder
2 tablespoons
ground cumin
2 teaspoons
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons
salt
1 tablespoon
brown rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
plain yogurt
to serve
lime wedge
to serve
cilantro
to serve (fresh, chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by soaking the dried black beans in three times their volume of water overnight. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.
2
In your Crock Pot, combine the soaked black beans with 1.5 quarts of fresh water. Set the Crock Pot to cook on high for 3 hours.
3
After 3 hours, stir in the chopped carrot, celery, red onion, minced garlic, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, lentils, canned diced tomatoes (with juice), chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, red wine vinegar, and salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
4
Reduce the heat and switch the Crock Pot to low, allowing it to cook for an additional 2-3 hours to develop rich flavors.
5
In the final hour of cooking, stir in the uncooked brown rice, ensuring it is evenly distributed in the soup.
6
Once the soup is done cooking, use an immersion blender or transfer half of the soup to a blender to puree until smooth. Return the pureed portion back to the Crock Pot and stir well before serving.
7
Serve hot, garnished with a wedge of lime, a spoonful of plain yogurt, and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Slow-Cooked Spicy Black Bean Soup?
It is a hearty and flavorful soup made with dried black beans, lentils, brown rice, and a variety of vegetables and spices, slow-cooked to perfection.
Do I need to soak the black beans for this recipe?
Yes, you should soak the dried black beans in three times their volume of water overnight, then drain and rinse them before cooking.
What is the total cooking time in the slow cooker?
The soup cooks for a total of 5 to 6 hours: 3 hours on high heat followed by 2 to 3 hours on low heat.
Is this black bean soup spicy?
Yes, the soup features two jalapeno peppers and two tablespoons of chili powder, giving it a zesty and spicy flavor profile.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
The base of the soup is vegan. To keep the entire meal vegan, ensure you use a plant-based yogurt for the garnish or omit the yogurt entirely.
Is the Zesty Spicy Black Bean Soup gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses beans, rice, and fresh vegetables.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The recipe includes carrots, celery, red onion, garlic, green bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers.
When do I add the brown rice?
The uncooked brown rice should be stirred into the soup during the final hour of cooking.
How do I make the soup creamy?
Once the cooking is complete, use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup, or transfer half to a standard blender to puree and then return it to the pot.
How much water is needed for cooking?
You will need 1.5 quarts of fresh water to combine with the soaked beans in the Crock Pot.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The flavor is built using chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt.
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
This recipe is designed for dried beans. If using canned, you would need to significantly reduce the water and cooking time.
Why are lentils added to the soup?
Lentils are added to provide additional texture, thickness, and nutritional value to the bean soup.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar to add a bright, zesty acidity.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe uses 6 minced garlic cloves for a robust flavor.
What are the suggested toppings for serving?
It is best served with a wedge of lime, a spoonful of plain yogurt, and fresh chopped cilantro.
Is this recipe good for meal prepping?
Yes, it makes a large batch and the flavors meld together over time, making it excellent for reheating throughout the week.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, add the 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes along with their juice to the Crock Pot.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the number of jalapenos or the amount of chili powder used.
What size can of tomatoes is used?
The recipe calls for one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
How much brown rice is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of uncooked brown rice.
What kind of onion is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for one large red onion, chopped.
Can I use a regular blender if I don't have an immersion blender?
Yes, just carefully transfer half of the hot soup to a standard blender, puree until smooth, and stir it back into the Crock Pot.
What is the purpose of the lime wedge garnish?
A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end elevates the flavors and provides a burst of freshness.
How many bell peppers are in the soup?
The recipe requires two chopped green bell peppers.
Is this soup high in fiber?
Yes, with black beans, lentils, brown rice, and vegetables, this soup is a high-fiber meal.
What is the setting for the first three hours of cooking?
The Crock Pot should be set to the high heat setting for the first 3 hours.
Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?
You can, but white rice cooks faster than brown rice, so you may need to add it later in the process to avoid it becoming too mushy.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chili powder.
Does this soup serve a large group?
Yes, it is designed to serve a crowd, making it perfect for gatherings or large families.