Hearty Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup | Easy One-Pot Recipe
This Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup proves that comfort food can be both healthy and incredibly satisfying. It's a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors, plus the heartiness that comes from protein-packed beans and creamy sweet potatoes.
Equipment
- Large pot, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Wooden spoon (for stirring)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bell pepper diced small (¼ inch)
- 1 medium white onion diced
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 cans (15 ounce) black beans drained
- 1 ½ pounds sweet potatoes (roughly 2 to 3 medium potatoes or 3 cups) peeled & diced medium (½ inch)
Instructions
- Step 1: Build the Aromatic Base: Heat olive oil or avocado oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and a sprinkle of salt, cooking until softened and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced fresh garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Toast the Spices (Crucial Step): Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt to the pot. Stir constantly for 60 seconds until the spices smell aromatic and toasted. This step is key to developing deep flavor!
- Step 3: Create the Soup Base: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly. Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes and vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Step 4: Simmer the Sweet Potatoes: Add diced sweet potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, maintain a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook for 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 5: Add Beans and Final Seasoning: Stir in black beans and salt. Simmer for 5 more minutes to heat through and meld flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and blend half the soup using a blender or immersion blender to achieve a velvety, thick texture.
- Step 6: Brighten and Serve: Stir in fresh lime juice. Serve immediately with your favorite garnishes. Options include more lime juice, sour cream, queso fresco cheese, sliced green onions, sliced jalapenos, and tortilla chips.
Notes
Cooking Method Variations
Instant Pot
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and cook the onions and bell peppers in a little oil until softened. Stir in the garlic, spices, and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the flavors. Add the sweet potatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, and vegetable broth. Lock the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes, then allow a natural release for 10 minutes before carefully venting. Puree half, stir in the lime juice, taste for seasoning, and serve hot with your favorite garnishes.
Slow Cooker
Sauté the onions, peppers, garlic, spices, and tomato paste in a skillet on the stovetop for a few minutes to build flavor (optional, but highly recommended). Transfer to the slow cooker, then add the sweet potatoes, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Puree half, stir in fresh lime juice just before serving, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Tips for Soup Success
- Prep Smart: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform ¾-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Too small and they'll turn mushy; too large and they won't cook through.
- Layer the Flavors: Don't skip toasting the spices! This 60-second step makes all the difference between good soup and great soup. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end—sometimes a little extra salt or lime makes all the difference.
- Texture Control: Don't puree all the soup. Leave half chunky for a more satisfying, hearty soup texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1225mgPotassium: 646mgFiber: 9gSugar: 8g
Nutrition Facts
Hearty Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup | Easy One-Pot Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
164
% Daily Value*
Fat
2
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
6
%
Cholesterol
4
mg
1
%
Sodium
1225
mg
53
%
Potassium
646
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
32
g
11
%
Fiber
9
g
38
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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