Sweet Potato and Black Bean (Printable)

Creamy sweet potatoes and black beans simmered with cumin and smoked paprika for a hearty, warming bowl.

# 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 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

→ Spices and 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 - Chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Lime wedges
20 - Sliced avocado

# Directions:

01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring frequently.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with juice. Bring mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Add drained black beans, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Remove bay leaf. For creamier consistency, use an immersion blender to partially blend soup, leaving some chunks intact. Adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or sliced avocado as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweet potatoes break down slightly during cooking, creating a naturally creamy texture without a drop of dairy.
  • You can toss everything in one pot and let it simmer while you unwind from the day, transforming humble pantry staples into something truly special.
02 -
  • The first time I made this, I blended it completely smooth and missed the lovely texture contrast, so now I just pulse briefly with the immersion blender for the perfect balance.
  • Adding the lime juice at the table rather than during cooking preserves that bright, zingy flavor that would otherwise dissipate with heat.
03 -
  • When I'm in a hurry, I microwave the sweet potatoes for 4 minutes before dicing them, cutting the total simmering time in half without sacrificing flavor.
  • For a protein boost without changing the vegetarian profile, I sometimes stir in a tablespoon of nutritional yeast per serving, which adds a subtle cheesy flavor and B vitamins.
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