Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup (Printable)

Creamy sweet potatoes and protein-packed black beans simmered with aromatic cumin, smoked paprika, and warming spices for a hearty, satisfying meal.

# What You 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 - 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until 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, stirring constantly.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with juice. Bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Add drained black beans, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5–10 minutes to blend flavors.
07 - Remove bay leaf. For creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend, leaving some chunks. Adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or sliced avocado as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The natural sugars in the potatoes create a velvety texture without needing any heavy cream.
  • It is a nutritional powerhouse that keeps you full for hours thanks to the fiber in the beans.
02 -
  • If you overcook the potatoes they will dissolve entirely and lose the beautiful contrast against the beans.
  • The bay leaf is a silent hero that adds a layer of complexity you will miss if you leave it out.
03 -
  • Sauté your garlic last to prevent it from burning and becoming bitter in the hot oil.
  • Mash a few of the sweet potatoes against the side of the pot if you do not own an immersion blender.
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