Carla Makes Black Bean Soup with ALL the Toppings

black beans

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Lentils are lower in calories and higher in protein, while pinto beans are often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is nutritious, while canola oil is budget-friendly.

Start cooking the black beans without soaking them, using 4 quarts of water.

Prepare dried chilies by removing stems and seeds, then soak them in boiling water to rehydrate.

Chop yellow onion and serrano chili for the sofrito, removing seeds from the chili if desired.

Sauté the chopped onion and serrano chili in chicken confit oil over medium-high heat until soft and browned, about 12 minutes.

Add spices (cumin, Mexican oregano, bay leaf, cinnamon) to the onion and chili mixture and toast them in the pan.

Deglaze the pan with a couple ladlefuls of the bean liquid.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: