Description
This super-flavorful Black Bean Soup is an easy and comforting meal made with tender black beans, smoky bacon, garlic, onion, lime, and spices. Adjust the heat to your liking and enjoy a hearty soup that’s perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups dried turtle beans or 2 cups dried black beans
- 12 ounces bacon, chopped
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced, or 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 8–10 cups beef stock
- 5 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Tabasco, to taste
- 2 teaspoons sherry
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chili sauce, optional
Instructions
- Rinse the beans in a colander and place them in a large pot. Cover with water, adding an additional 2–3 inches of water above the beans. Let them soak overnight or for at least 8–10 hours.
- Drain the beans and set aside. In the same large pot, sauté the chopped bacon until almost crisp.
- Add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the soaked beans, 8 cups of beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 1 ½–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
- Check the soup occasionally to make sure the beans are not sticking. Add another cup or two of stock as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
- For a thicker soup, allow some of the beans to break apart naturally or lightly mash a portion of the beans with a potato masher.
- Remove the bay leaves. Stir in salt, pepper, sugar, dry mustard, lime zest, lime juice, Tabasco, sherry, and chili sauce if using.
- Remove the soup from the heat and let it rest uncovered for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to deepen.
- Reheat briefly before serving. The soup is also delicious over the next two days.
Notes
- The bacon grease should provide enough fat to sauté the onion and garlic. If there is a lot of excess bacon fat, remove some before adding the vegetables.
- If making the soup without bacon, or if more fat is needed, add a little olive oil or grapeseed oil for sautéing.
- For extra heat, add a jalapeño with the onions or a few pinches of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American