Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

📃Shopping list

To make this easy black bean soup recipe you will need :

1. Dried black beans
2. Yellow onion
3. Carrots
4. Celery
5. Garlic - minced fresh garlic cloves
6. Apple cider vinegar
7. Diced tomatoes - canned, with all liquid
8. Chili powder
9. Cumin
10. Coriander
11. Adobo sauce - I use the sauce from a can of sauce that has chipotle peppers in it
12. Vegetable broth
13. Bay leaf
14. Salt & pepper - to taste
15. Non-stick cooking spray

For garnish:

1. Tortilla chips
2. Lime wedges
3. Sour cream or plain yogurt
4. Fresh cilantro
5. Green onions - sliced

🔪Instructions

This great recipe just involves a few simple steps:

PREPARING YOUR SLOW COOKER

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check the manual for your slow cooker if you have any concerns.   

COOKING

🍲Rinse your beans in a strainer over the sink and remove any pebbles or foreign objects.

🍲Place dried, rinsed beans into your greased slow cooker. Add in all spices, vegetables, tomatoes, and broth then stir to combine.

🍲Place bay leaves on top. Cover and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours.

🍲When beans can be easily squashed between your thumb and forefinger, you are ready for the next step.

🍲Use an immersion blender to fully blend tender beans with the other ingredients until desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Your easy soup is now ready to serve!

🍽Serving suggestions

This is one of the best slow cooker recipes because it is so much fun to garnish! Some fresh, chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice are my favorite toppings. Sliced green onions are also great on top along with some crushed tortilla chips.

But don't stop the customization there! If you like spicy flavor, stir in some red pepper flakes or chopped chipotle peppers and top with jalapeno slices. It is such a thick soup that it is just perfect served in scooped-out crusty bread bowls.

White rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, and refried beans all make great side dishes. A fresh garden salad is the perfect go-with as is tortilla lasagna.

Storing leftovers

This delicious meal can be stored in an airtight container or zip top bag. It will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator and 4-5 months in the freezer. I love storing in meal-sized portions for easy grab-and-go lunches.

Advanced meal prep instructions

Creamy black bean soup is a great dish to prep in advance. Mix all ingredients other than broth and bay leaves in a zipper top bag and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, dump bean/spice/veggie mixture to your slow cooker, add in broth, and top with bay leaves.

😉Hint & hacks

1. Don't have an immersion blender? A food processor or countertop blender would work just as well. Just be extra careful when moving hot soup ingredients to a new appliance.
2. Do you prefer your soup a little more chunky? Only blend half of the beans. Or, use a potato masher to hand blend rather than an electric device.
3. Onions celery and carrots are generally available to be purchased already cut up. Find them in both the fresh and frozen sections of your local grocery store. Using pre-cut vegetables makes this recipe extra lazy😏.
4. This is a great dish if your people will be eating at different times. After the cooking time, turn your slow cooker to warm. Everyone can have a hot and filling meal, no matter what time of the evening they are ready to eat. 
5. I am generally a big fan of slow cooker liners. However, I do not recommend using them for recipes involving an immersion blender. The blade of the blender can too easily catch on the liner and shred it into the food.
6. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!