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Traditional Cuban Black Bean Soup

Joe and Susie

January 26, 2024

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Our Authentic and Traditional Cuban Black Bean Soup Recipe: A Taste of Havana in Your Kitchen

Craving sunshine in a bowl? Dive into our authentic Cuban black bean soup recipe! Rich, smoky broth simmers with tender black beans, vibrant peppers, and Caribbean spices. Each spoonful explodes with flavor; tangy lime and smoky homeyness topped with creamy avocado, red onion and a dollop of sour cream or yogurt. Enjoy a comfort food of Havana right in your kitchen. Easy and bursting with flavor, this soup is your weeknight hero! Use our simple recipe and Instacart link below for seamless grocery delivery. So ditch the ordinary weeknight soup and unleash this Cuban fiesta.

What Does Black Bean Soup Taste Like?

Our Cuban black bean soup is a blend of Caribbean spices, offering a complex and satisfying experience. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Dominant Notes:

Savory: The base of the soup is a rich, smoky broth made with a blend of sofrito, beans, ham or smoked pork and aromatic spices like sazon, oregano and cilantro. This gives it a deep, earthy flavor that’s undeniably comforting.
Tangy: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a bright, acidic counterpoint to the savory base. This cuts through the richness and keeps the soup from becoming too heavy.
Earthy: Black beans are the star of the show, with their slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor. They provide a unique texture to the soup and contribute to its overall heartiness.

Subtle Nuances:

Spiced: With our recipe you will find hints of garlic, onion, peppers ‘and even a touch of sweetness from chopped celery and carrots. A shot of rum adds a spice many don’t include in their recipe.
Fresh: Chopped cilantro can be added for a final burst of freshness that elevates the soup’s overall aroma and flavor.
Creamy: Some recipes include a dollop of sour cream or sliced avocado, which adds a luxurious smoothness that contrasts beautifully with the textured beans.

Overall:

Cuban black bean soup is a warm and satisfying dish that’s perfect anytime. It’s flavorful without being overwhelming, and the combination of savory, tangy, and earthy notes makes it truly addictive. Pair it with a Cuban sandwich or your favorite Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas. How about some classic American food like burgers or grilled chicken. This soup can be paired with almost anything!

Bonus: Like spice? Use a chili pepper or two in place of the green bell pepper. We suggest poblanos for their earthy flavor, but if you enjoy heat try jalapeños or serranos.

Vegan or vegetarian? Easily make this recipe fit your dietary need by eliminating the ham and substituting liquid smoke. This will maintain the magnificent smoky flavor and make the soup vegan friendly!

Is Black Bean Soup Healthy?

Black beans are loaded with health benefits. The antioxidants, fiber, protein and carbohydrates in black beans make them a nutritional powerhouse. A diet including black beans helps your body regulate sugar, prevent cancer and promote eye, bone and heart health. This soup checks the boxes for a healthy meal.

Is Black Bean Soup Vegetarian or Vegan?

Our recipe includes ham to add a smoky goodness to the soup. Vegan or vegetarian? Eliminate the ham and substitute liquid smoke. Just be certain to check the ingredients to be certain the product meets your dietary needs.

Does Black Bean Soup use Canned Beans or Dried Beans?

Black bean soup can be prepared with dried or canned beans. This recipe uses canned beans from Goya. The advantage to canned beans is that the recipe can be put together and on the table in less than an hour. The recipe also is enough for four.

When do we use dried beans? When making black beans for a large crowd. Using dried beans entails more work, soaking overnight and cooking a few hours. Definitely not a weeknight meal. Use our recipe for an easy, healthy and delicious soup everyone will love.

Where did Black Bean Soup Originate?

While black bean soup’s precise origins are a bit murky, its history is a fascinating blend of cultures and regional twists. We do know that black beans have been a staple in the Americas for millennia, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Why? black beans have been cultivated in the Americas for thousands of years, generally Latin America and the Caribbean.

This soup has evolved over the years, the result of the melding of Spanish and African cultures. Many Latin American cuisines use black beans, however, black beans and rice and black bean soup are iconic dishes emanating from Cuba. The soup developed in Cuba where smoked meats and a sofrito of peppers, onions and garlic were combined to create this beloved dish.

Is black bean soup high in protein?

This dish is loaded with protein and flavor. It is a simple and inexpensive dish high in protein and low in fat.

Difference between Chili and Black Bean Soup

Shredded beef chili con carne — Chili con carne.

Chili and black bean soup, though both hearty and flavorful, take distinct approaches to their main ingredients. Chili is a meat-lover’s paradise, where tender chunks of beef or turkey take center stage, accompanied by a supporting cast of beans and a vibrant chorus of spices like chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Variations abound, with some, like the famous Texas chili, even omitting beans altogether! In contrast, black bean soup celebrates the humble bean, its rich broth infused with the smoky essence of ham or bacon. While meat may play a supporting role in some recipes, it’s always the beans that command the spotlight.

Traditional Cuban Black Bean Soup — Cuban Black Bean Soup.

Can Black Bean Soup be Prepared in a Slow Cooker?

Yes it can, black beans in a slow cooker are terrific. However, it will add time to the cook time. We use a slow cooker when making a large recipe of black beans for a large gathering. We use the slow cooker for when we make the dish with dried beans as it takes awhile. To keep the cook time of this recipe under an hour we do not recommend a slow cooker. However, if it’s a weekend, use dried beans with a slow cooker. Just follow the instructions on softening the beans on the package. It will involve soaking them overnight and cooking them in the slow cooker all day.

Favorite Garnishes for Black Bean Soup

To add some creaminess, we love adding sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole. Some enjoy sour cream, delicious but adds fat and calories to the dish. As a nontraditional option, you may want to try yogurt instead. Other toppings we enjoy are diced red onion, cilantro and a sprinkle of lime.

How do I Make Cuban Black Bean Soup?

So, how do I make this quick and healthy soup? Start by cutting up the vegetables. For a wide selection of cooking knives click here. We use bamboo cutting boards from Royal Craft. They are affordable and attractive. Use our link to get 5% discount on the entire Royal Craft site. Carrots and celery should be cut into small soup sized pieces. Cut ham into half inch pieces. The peppers, onions and garlic must be diced. To save time, cut the vegetables ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Bring the heat! Start by warming olive oil in a hefty 5- or 6-quart Dutch oven. We love using our high-quality Amazon Basics 6-quart cast iron Dutch oven for this recipe. The even heating makes it perfect for simmering soups like this. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped vegetables and ham. Let them sizzle on medium heat until softened and reduced.

Next, stir in two cans of Goya black beans. We find Goya beans offer excellent quality and flavor. Mix the beans well with the softened vegetables. Now, layer in the sazon, oregano, salsa, cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, salt, pepper and a splash of rum. Give it all a good mix and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender and cooked through. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

Our Cuban Black Bean soup made in our Amazon Basics cast iron Dutch oven. You will love this in your kitchen!

You can serve the soup as is, however, if you prefer a thicker consistency remove 1 cup of the beans, crush them and return to the pot. An option is to place an emersion blender into the soup and pulse for a second or two. We have used a Cuisinart emersion blender similar to the Kitchen Aid model displayed in the equipment section below for years. It simplifies blending foods and cleanup is a breeze. Click here to purchase, or for a wider variety of emersion blenders click here. Remove the blender and mix.

To serve, place into a soup bowl and top with chopped red onion, sliced avocado, a splash of hot sauce if you enjoy heat and a spritz of fresh lime.

What to serve with black bean soup?

Serve with Mexican food, grilled meats, roasted chicken or pretty much any meat or protein. Enjoy!

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