Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup (Print Version)

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

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnishes

18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Lime wedges
20 - Sliced avocado

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in sweet potatoes, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cayenne, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with juice. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Add black beans, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes to meld flavors.
07 - Remove bay leaf. For a creamier consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some vegetable chunks intact.
08 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or avocado slices.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It fills you up without making you feel heavy, which is the kind of quiet magic that keeps you coming back.
  • The spice blend is warm and layered without any harshness, so even if you're cautious about bold flavors, this one feels welcoming.
  • You can have it on the table in under an hour, and it tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of draining and rinsing the canned beans; that starchy liquid is what makes soup taste canned instead of homemade.
  • If you blend too much, you'll end up with baby food instead of soup, so resist the urge and leave plenty of texture.
03 -
  • Buy your sweet potatoes a day or two before you plan to make this, because they're easier to peel when they've had a little time to sit.
  • If the soup tastes flat, it's usually not enough salt—taste it and trust your instincts, because salt is what brings everything into focus.
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