Description
Hearty mexican six-ingredient pinto bean soup brings rustic comfort straight from traditional kitchens. Robust flavors meld effortlessly, offering you a simple yet soul-warming meal perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (15 ounces / 425 grams) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Seasoning and Garnish:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Lime juice (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare dried pinto beans by soaking them overnight in cold water, then drain thoroughly. If using canned beans, rinse and drain completely to remove excess sodium.
- Select a large, heavy-bottomed pot and warm olive oil over medium heat. Gently sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Pour vegetable or chicken broth into the pot, followed by canned tomatoes with their natural juices. Stir ingredients to combine and create a uniform base.
- Introduce pinto beans and ground cumin to the liquid mixture. Stir gently to distribute spices evenly throughout the soup.
- Increase heat momentarily to achieve a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a low simmer. Allow soup to cook slowly, developing deep flavors for approximately 25-35 minutes.
- For a more luxurious texture, use an immersion blender to partially puree some of the soup, creating a creamy consistency while maintaining some bean texture.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a splash of lime juice to brighten the overall flavor profile.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and enjoy immediately, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Soaking dried beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and improves digestibility, making the soup easier on the stomach.
- Experiment with blending techniques to achieve your desired soup consistency, from chunky to silky smooth, depending on personal preference.
- Boost nutrition by adding diced carrots or bell peppers during the sautéing stage for extra vegetables and flavor complexity.
- Transform this soup into a gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly meal by using vegetable broth and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg