Coconut Black Bean Soup Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Updated Jan. 30, 2024

Coconut Black Bean Soup Recipe (1)

Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(721)
Notes
Read community notes

Earthy black bean soup gets a plush makeover with the addition of canned coconut milk, which lends richness and a sweet, mellow flavor. Whole cumin seeds and tomato paste add depth, while jalapeño contributes both brightness and heat to the pot. You can purée the soup until it’s velvety smooth, or leave it a little chunky. Either way, it makes for a satisfying and hearty weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1large white onion, peeled
  • 2limes, 1 halved and 1 cut into wedges
  • teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal or use ¾ teaspoon Morton), plus more to taste
  • 1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 1jalapeño, seeded if desired and minced
  • 1bunch cilantro, stems and leaves separated
  • 1tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3(15.5-ounce) cans black beans, drained
  • 1(13.5-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1cup vegetable or chicken stock, plus more if needed

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

579 calories; 26 grams fat; 19 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 69 grams carbohydrates; 25 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 25 grams protein; 1351 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Coconut Black Bean Soup Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Cut the white onion in half lengthwise and then cut lengthwise again into quarters. Thinly slice one quarter of the onion. Add slices to a small bowl and stir in the juice of ½ lime and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside for serving. Dice the remaining onion and reserve.

  2. Step

    2

    Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Once hot, add the oil. Add the diced onion and cook until tender and golden at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

  3. Step

    3

    Stir in the jalapeño. Mince ¼ cup cilantro stems and add to the pan. Cook until the jalapeño and cilantro stems are tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin seeds, black pepper and remaining 1½ teaspoons salt. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the tomato paste darkens.

  4. Step

    4

    Add in the black beans, coconut milk and stock. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the mixture is thick.

  5. Step

    5

    Use an immersion blender or blender to purée the soup until half-smooth and still a little chunky. Add more stock if you want a brothier soup.

  6. Step

    6

    Stir in the juice of the remaining lime half and ½ cup of chopped cilantro leaves. Taste and add more salt and lime juice as needed. Serve topped with the pickled onions and more chopped cilantro, and with lime wedges alongside.

Ratings

5

out of 5

721

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

J

Just don’t add the jalapeño. Why do you think you’re the only one in the world?

Ed

Just substitute the jalapeno pepper with Kraft Miniature Marshmallows. My kids love it!

Raro

One (15-ounce) can of black beans equals approximately 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans or 1/2 cup of dried beans

KC

I've made a version of this for years. Needs chipotle powder to give it that smoky flavor.

Max

Cumin seeds should be dry roasted prior to adding. Or tempered in oil before adding onions to the pot. This will bring out the depth of flavor.

sarah

I made this as written just now and thought it was a very good version of black bean soup. The lime, cilantro and pickled onions are all great garnishes. Topped with some diced red bell pepper too.For commenters who were worried about the spice level, I used an entire seeded jalepeno and did not find the soup spicy at all but it gives an important flavor.Would make again!

Maine Nancy

My version of "Instant" black bean soup is to add your favorite salsa to the beans and liquids. Makes life even easier, and you know what you are getting. Add as much or as little. Supplement with fresh lime and/or fresh herbs as desired.

JR

If you're sensitive to the heat of a jalapeño, but like the flavor, you can remove the seeds and the pith. (that's where all the heat is in the pepper). There are also peppers called the Coolapeño Heatless Jalapeño Pepper, and the Tam Jalapeño. (but the Tam still has a little heat) I've yet to try them, but it might be worth a look. You may need to order and grow them, but that's easy, and it's pretty fun just to pluck something off a plant and use it right away. Nothing fresher!

Dorrie

Just finished cooking this marvelous soup! I did not have any cumin seeds on hand so I used 2 dashes of cumin powder which worked just fine. This is a keeper for my recipe box!

Karen

I first had black bean soup when I worked at a toddler daycare center outside of Boston in the 1970s. There was a 'health food hippy' chef, just a guy who liked to cook, I imagine, and he made stuff like this. The toddlers loved it, even though much of it ended up smeared on their faces, it was a favorite with staff, too! Wish I had that recipe but this one will do very nicely!

Kat

We loved this, just as written, and will add it to our rotation along with Melissa’s lemony red lentil soup.

Leigh

Thai basil

Linda in the desert

My husband pointed out this recipe to me. I was all in until the jalapeno. Apparently NYT recipes must have a really spicy/hot ingredient. For those of us who are in physical agony when their mouths accidentally encounter a jalapeno/etc., how about a tolerable sub? Or even (hint, hint) a short article on the topic?

A. Cleary

Try parsley, or just leave out the cilantro. You won't miss it.

Barb C

I followed the recipe almost exactly and the soup was excellent. The only difference was that I fried the cumin seeds before adding onions. This will definitely be one of my favorites.

Klogiu

Prepared exactly as written. Delicious!

Paul Bondhus

For those that may think a jalapeño excessively hot , just remember that they can be sweet or very hot so be sure to taste a bit before adding and remove pith /seeds. When in doubt or to have more control I like to use a garlic chili sauce and add until just right. I diced two cooked sweet potatoes and that rounded out the flavor.

amber

Made this recipe, blended it entirely, and I’m confused? Roommate declared re the soup: it’s just beans. Its not bad or anything, but I feel like I just went a more complicated way to make a bean sauce for enfrijoladas. In fact, that’s probably what I’ll make with this

CatN

Has anyone used coconut oil instead of olive oil in this recipe?

Mary

Would it be ok to use lite coconut milk as opposed to full fat?

Susan L

Too sweet. Too coconutty. Don’t make again.

M

Quick weeknight vegan meal from the pantry, esp if you skip pickles. Needs a little heat for certain, maybe ground cumin instead of seeds? Add smoked paprika and lime/lemon at the end. Super creamy, doesn’t even need cheese.

kg

Add some quality salsa matcha or chili crisp at the end for a spectacular burst of flavor.

Kristen in Beaufort SC

I am allergic to tomatoes so substituted beets - and it is delicious. The jalapeño was perfect. Added lots of cilantro and lime juice. A new favorite.

aehtorod

Wonderful, delicious, perfect. This recipe really taught me that there must be a true art in creating a recipe. I realize that I’m too prone to throw in stuff that I like or that I have in the refrigerator. This recipe I made exactly as written. And, I loved it!! The pickled onions add something really wonderful. So, I had a second bowl and added coconut chips - something I usually love. And, I wrecked the balance of something or other; and, it was not half as delicious with that, Wonde

BSHook

Delicious! Milder than, say, most vegetarian chilis, but very flavorful and satisfying. Made it according to the recipe. I removed the jalapeño seeds but won't next time, since I would have enjoyed a little more heat. I had to laugh at 10 min. of prep time, though--I spent that long separating the cilantro leaves and stems!Has anyone tried a dollop of sour cream or similar?

Jo Ann

Very good! I altered this for my sensitive stomach by leaving off the pickled onion topping and serving it with crushed corn chips, reducing the sautéed onion to one tablespoon and the garlic to one clove, no tomato paste, no jalapeño, and just a little bit of caraway seed and powdered cumin. Perhaps for those who like bold flavor it would not be spicy enough but for me it was very tasty. I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Edye

Added in some chopped celery and carrots too, delicious.

Boston Annie

Made it tonight as directed. Nothing special. The coconut milk doesn't add any particular dimension. The lime is doing a lot of the work of adding 'zing' to the soup. Wouldn't make it again.

Dagmar

Great recipe, with nice depth of flavor for such a short cook time. I ended up adding an extra half cup of broth at the end and an extra tablespoon of lime juice. A keeper!

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Coconut Black Bean Soup Recipe (2024)
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