Name: Cuban Black Bean Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 125 min
Yield: Serves 6-8
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) dried black beans, soaked overnight and drained; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional for heat); 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 bay leaves; 1 ham hock or 4 ounces diced ham (optional); 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the beans

If you haven't soaked the beans overnight, use the quick-soak method: bring beans to a boil in a large pot of water, boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans before using.
Sauté the aromatics

In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeño (if using), cumin, and oregano. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the beans

Add the drained black beans, bay leaves, ham hock (if using), and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, partially covered, for about 1.5 hours or until beans are very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth or water if needed.
Blend for creaminess

Remove bay leaves and ham hock (if used). Using an immersion blender, partially blend the soup to create a creamy texture while leaving some beans whole. Alternatively, remove about 2 cups of soup, blend in a regular blender, and return to the pot.
Add finishing touches

Stir in the apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. If you used a ham hock, remove the meat from the bone, chop it, and return it to the soup. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Serve and garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Traditional accompaniments include a dollop of sour cream, diced avocado, lime wedges, or a side of white rice.

Cuban Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information