Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup (Printable)

Creamy sweet potatoes and black beans simmered with cumin, smoked paprika, and aromatic vegetables for a hearty, warming bowl.

# What you'll need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 stalk celery, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes

07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 4 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnishes

18 - Chopped fresh cilantro, optional
19 - Lime wedges, optional
20 - Sliced avocado, optional

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to release spice flavors.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a boil over high heat.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are completely tender.
06 - Add drained black beans, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Remove bay leaf. For a creamier consistency, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup while leaving some chunks intact. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot. Top with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or sliced avocado as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High in fiber and plant-based protein for lasting energy.
  • Warm, aromatic spices provide a comforting flavor profile.
  • Easy to customize and perfect for meal prep.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
02 -
  • Partially blending the soup creates a creamier mouthfeel while keeping some chunks for variety.
  • Always check store-bought broth labels to ensure they are gluten-free.
  • Top with avocado just before serving to keep the slices fresh and green.
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