This Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup is made with just a few pantry ingredients, but is packed with so much flavor! It’s great for an easy, last minute weeknight dinner that can be enjoyed by itself or with your favorite soup toppings.
*This post was originally published on 3/5/2015, I am re-publishing it today with updated photos, text and recipe.
If you have been around here for a really, really long time then you may recognize this recipe. This Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup is an old recipe, but I wanted to give it a big refresh and share it with all my new readers today! I’m going to be refreshing old recipes once a week until I get to all of them, so keep a lookout for old favorites!
I could eat black beans every day, so it’s no surprise that creamy black bean soup is one of my favorite soup recipes. This easy soup is packed with warm, smoky flavors, creamy black beans and sweet potato. It’s great for lunch or dinner.
Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe Ingredients
- Onion and Garlic – This soup starts with onions and garlic being cooked in some olive oil. It helps with the overall flavor of the soup and creates a nice flavor base. I used white onion because that is what I had on hand, but any kind of onion will work, even a shallot. Yellow onion is traditional in most soup recipes.
- Sweet Potato – You can use a sweet potato or yam for this recipe. I like to use the bright orange ones, but purple, red or white would work too. It just depends on what kind of sweet potato flavor you are going for. I peel my sweet potato but you are more than welcome to leave the skins on.
- Black Beans – I just use canned black beans for this recipe. One of these days I still start making my own, but not today! Pinto beans could be used in place of black beans, or in addition to them, if you liked.
- Canned Tomatoes – I would recommend petite diced fire roasted tomatoes, but any kind of canned, or even freshly diced, tomato will work. I didn’t include tomatoes in my original recipe, but thought they would add some sweetness to accompany the sweet potato.
- Spices – To make this soup smoky, I use smoked paprika and chipotle powder. Smoked paprika has a very mild flavor, while chipotle powder brings more heat. If you prefer mild flavors, I would suggest skipping the chipotle. And, if you like spice, add as much chipotle powder as you like! I also use cumin, regular paprika, onion and garlic powder.
- Vegetable Broth – I like to use a vegetable broth concentrate, rather than store-bought pre-made broth. It has more flavor and lasts for a long time in the refrigerator. Homemade would also be great!
- Salt and Pepper – I usually add some salt and pepper a couple times while making the soup and then give a final taste at the end and adjust salt and pepper from there. Some vegetable broth is saltier than others, so I’m hesitant to give an exact salt measurement.
- Fresh Lime Juice – I like to add a big squeeze of fresh lime juice to the soup right at the end. It adds some nice freshness and lime juice always goes well with black beans!
How To Make Easy Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potato
- Start by placing a large pot over medium heat and adding olive oil. Next, add your diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook onion for about 2 minutes, until translucent, and then add in the sweet potato. Cook another 3-4 minutes, add the garlic and stir well. Garlic only needs about 30 seconds to heat through.
- Add all the spices and mix well. I like to let this sit for just a minute or two and then add in the canned tomatoes and 2 cans of the black beans. Stir together and let mixture come to a light simmer. Add the vegetable broth in, just another mix and place the lid on the pot. Let soup simmer, with lid on, on low heat until sweet potato is fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- Carefully half of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth, about 45 seconds. Next, add in the remaining half of the soup and give a really quick blend, just a few seconds. Pour soup back into the pot and add the remaining can of black beans. Mix everything together and season with extra salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add your favorite garnishes and enjoy this hearty vegan black bean soup!
Black Bean Soup Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this recipe gluten free? Yes! Just make sure to use gluten free vegetable stock.
- Is this recipe vegan? Yes, I did add a sprinkle of real cheese on top, but the actual soup recipe is completely vegan.
- Can I make this recipe with pinto beans? Yes, I believe that would work just fine.
- Is this black bean soup freezer friendly? Yes, allow soup to cool completely and place in a freezer friendly air tight container. Freeze up to 3 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature before re-heating.
- How long will leftovers last in the refrigerator? If stored in an airtight container, they should last 4-5 days.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
Looking For More Easy Vegetarian Soup Recipes?
Veggie Packed Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
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Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup is made with just a few pantry ingredients but it’s packed with tons of flavor! It’s great for an easy, last minute weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small white or yellow onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups peeled and diced sweet potato, 1/4 inch diced
- 1 (15 oz) can petite diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 3 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed (divided)
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional, if you want some heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3–4 cups vegetable stock, depending on how thick you want your soup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Topping ideas: tortilla strips, crackers, cheese, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, avocado, pico de Gallo, fresh cilantro.
Instructions
- Start by placing a large pot over medium heat and adding olive oil. Next, add your diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook onion for about 2 minutes, until translucent, and then add in the diced sweet potato. Cook another 3-4 minutes, add the garlic and stir well. Garlic only needs about 30 seconds to heat through.
- Add all the spices and mix well. I like to let this sit for just a minute or two and then add in the canned tomatoes and ONLY 2 cans of the black beans. Stir together and let mixture come to a low simmer. Add the vegetable broth, give another mix and place the lid on the pot. Let soup simmer, with lid on, on low heat until sweet potato is fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- Carefully add half of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth, about 45 seconds. Next, add in the remaining half of the soup and give a really quick blend, just a few seconds, you want some small chunks. Pour soup back into the pot and add the remaining can of black beans. Mix everything together and season with extra salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add your favorite garnishes and enjoy this hearty vegan black bean soup!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Soup, Gluten Free, Vegan
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
I can’t imagine not liking soup, it’s the best! I love black bean soups and combined with sweet potato sounds so yummy!
What I just love about your recipes is the fantastic (and very colourful!) Mexican influence, Izzy. I also really love how healthy these thick kinds of soups are. Once you’ve made the soup it’s like eating a bowl full of vitamins without any effort!
Thank you, Helen!! Mexican food is definitely my favorite kind! If you haven’t noticed, haha! It really is like eating a bowl full of vitamins! I love your take on it 🙂
Oh smoked paprika how I love you!! I think it may be my very favorite spice – it’s magical 🙂 This soup looks absolutely wonderful! Sweet potato and black beans are just so good together!
Thanks Ashley! Isn’t it the best?! It turns ordinary meals into smokey delicious meals! It is magical 🙂
This black bean soup looks so comforting and delicious, Izzy! I love the sweet potatoes and smokey flavor and all those toppings look fantastic!
Thanks Kelly!! The toppings might just be the best part 🙂
This soup looks so thick and amazing! I love sweet potatoes and black beans together.
Thanks Christin! It is so thick and delicious 🙂
Black beans and sweet potatoes are such an awesome combination, and this soup is right up my alley! I’m surprised I haven’t added sweet potatoes to my black bean soup yet, but I’ll definitely be doing it next time! Pinned.
I would highly recommend adding sweet potatoes to your black bean soup next time, Marcie! You won’t regret it 🙂
Isadora, this looks like a great soup! It makes me want to grab a spoon and dig in!
Thanks Kristi!
This soup looks so warm and comforting! I bet it’s just packed with flavor, too! What a great way to enjoy the sweet potato and black bean combo.
Thanks Kristine! It definitely satisfied my sweet potato, black bean craving 🙂
Oh my that post from Kate was fabulous! Thanks for pointing me to it! I couldn’t agree more about smoky paprika! Love it and especially love it paired with black beans and sweet potatoes. This soup is what I’ll be whippin up this weekend, Izzy. It’s so cozy, comforting, spicy and packed with nutrients! I’ll be fryin up a few tortilla strips too. I think Rob will be okay with this… you know, he’s not much of a sweet potato fan. I am determined to change that… hehe! xo
Isn’t it the best?! It adds such a great smokey flavor to EVERYTHING!! You gotta have the tortilla strips! Uhhh, Eric doesn’t love the sweet potatoes either! What is wrong with our men??!! If you blend this soup enough, he won’t even be able to tell though 🙂
IDK, Izzy. I wish I could figure it out! Good tip about blending the sweet potatoes in. I know Rob will be happy when sweet potato and squash season are over! Only to return next year… hehe!
I love all soup and think combining sweet potatoes with black beans is a great idea, Izzy. Pinning to try soon! Love the toppings, too.
Thanks so much, Geraldine!! The toppings might just be the best part 🙂
This soup is so beautiful and I can imagine so tasty! I could go for a big bowl right now! And I think your delicious toppings should be made mandatory! Pinned!
Thank you, Annie! I just had a huge bowl for dinner tonight and I’m gonna be so sad when it is all gone! You definitely need the toppings!
This is so funny, because just last night Shawn and I were talking about things we hated as a kid. Mine was nuts. Hated nuts! Nothing was worse than getting a cookie and there was a nut in it. Oh how our taste buds evolve. This soup sounds so delicious. And healthy too! GREAT pictures Isadora!
Thank you, Natalie!! I think I’m finally figuring out how to use that Ego light! It is so funny to think of the things we hated as kids! If I had the same taste buds, I would pretty much only be eating grilled cheese and chocolate milk! Although, I do still love those foods 🙂
Yes please! We had sweet potato+black bean nachos last night and I am still craving more! This soup looks perfect for this super cold day!
Yum!!! I was just thinking about pouring the leftover soup over some nachos, haha! I hope you enjoyed your snow day today 🙂
This black bean soup looks fantastic Izzy! Always trying to get more black beans as a cheap protein into my diet. And the sweet potatoes. Love them!
Thank you, Laura! I think I’ve been eating black beans every day for months now 🙂 And you always gotta have sweet potatoes!
One of the best pairings out there, black beans and sweet potatoes. And I agree, soup is one of the simple joys in life, not sure how people cannot like soup! 😉
I 100% agree, Katie!! I can’t believe I didn’t like it as a kid! Thank goodness I have come around and love soup these days 🙂
I just can’t get enough of soup, as I could practically eat it all day, every day! This black bean soup looks amazing, Izzy! I love the sweet potatoes and smokey flavor. Definitely takes this dish to a whole new level!
I could too, Gayle!! I have to pack lots of soup in in the winter because it is far too hot to eat in the summer! Thanks, Gayle 🙂
First of all, how do so many people hate soup? My favorite after school snack was always a cup of tomato soup and apparently I’m the weirdo for that :-p This soup looks innnncredible. Anything where the name starts with smokey black bean, I’m on board.
Haha, Kelly! Not a weirdo at all! I think I just didn’t care for vegetables much when I was a kid! Thank goodness I got over that! I’m so on board with any and all things with smokey black beans too 🙂
I am loving all the recipes with black beans in around at the moment. They are one of my favourite budget ways of eating more protein.
Black Beans are one of my favorite foods too, Dannii!! They also seem to go so well with so many things!
Very very very tasty!!! Simple, easy and good. Thanks for the great recipe!!
This soup sounds amazing! I have always wanted to try making some variant of sweet potato soup!
Thank you! It is my new favorite soup 🙂