Spicy Black Bean Soup With Ham and Garlic

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 02/7/23
black bean soup
David Bishop Inc/Photolibrary/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 6 servings

This black bean soup recipe is nicely flavored with garlic, a meaty ham bone, and spices. The soup starts with dried black beans, soaked and then simmered to perfection with a ham bone, chopped seasoning vegetables, and a variety of spices.

A small amount of dry sherry or white wine is added to the soup, but it may be omitted if you prefer to make it with no alcohol.

Top each serving of soup with a spoonful of sour cream and chopped green onions or chilled salsa. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound black beans (soaked)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 3/4 cup onions (chopped)
  • 4 stalks celery (chopped)
  • 6 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 ham bone (with some meat)
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1/2 sweet red bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin (ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (ground)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (or white wine)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Soak the beans following the directions on the package for an overnight soak or quick soak.

  3. In a stockpot, Dutch oven, or large kettle, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, onions, and celery; cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent.

  4. Add the chicken broth, ham bone, the black beans, and the bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 1 hour.

  5. Add red bell pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, lemon juice, and sherry. Simmer the soup for 20 to 30 minutes.

  6. Remove ham bone and bay leaf. 

  7. Puree about one-quarter to one-third of the soup and then return it to the pot. See below for how to puree hot soup safely in a blender.

  8. Remove the meat from the bone and dice it. Add it back to the soup.

  9. Stir in the chopped parsley.

  10. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and ​a sprinkling of chopped green onions.

  11. Serve and enjoy!

Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients

The steam from hot liquids can cause the lid to blow the lid off the blender, so it's important to work in batches. Never fill the blender more than half full. We recommend one-third. Loosen the center cup in the lid and hold a folded dish towel or pot holder firmly over the lid as you process the soup.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
419 Calories
13g Fat
57g Carbs
22g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 419
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 1112mg 48%
Total Carbohydrate 57g 21%
Dietary Fiber 16g 57%
Protein 22g
Calcium 197mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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