Rich and Hearty Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup 🥣🌱

This comforting and flavorful black bean soup is a perfect dish for chilly evenings or lazy weekends. It's packed with protein and fiber, making it both nourishing and satisfying. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving you a rich and hearty soup that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

Consider garnishing with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for a bright finish! 🥑🍃

Ingredients

For the soup

• 2 cups dried black beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 bay leaves

For the garnish

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Avocado slices
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream or yogurt (optional)
• Tortilla chips (for crunch)

Instructions

• In the slow cooker, combine the soaked and rinsed black beans, onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.

🌿 For added depth, consider sautéing the onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This will enhance the flavors of the vegetables.

• Stir to mix all the ingredients well. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the beans are tender.

• Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and use an immersion blender to puree some of the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. This will create a creamy texture without needing to add any cream!

🥄 You can also scoop out a cup of the soup, blend it, and return it to the pot for a similar effect.

• Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy version! 🔥
• Carnivore Twist: Toss in some cooked and shredded chicken or chorizo during the last hour of cooking for a meaty flavor.
• Vegan: This soup is already vegan-friendly! Just skip the sour cream and opt for a plant-based yogurt if desired.
• Southwestern Flavor: Stir in corn, fresh lime juice, and diced red onion just before serving for a zesty twist.

🧊 If you want to make this meal ahead of time, the flavors deepen over a few days in the fridge, and the soup can also be frozen for up to three months!

Enjoy this delightful black bean soup with warm bread or as a hearty meal on its own. Your family and friends will surely be asking for seconds! 🌟