Looking for a hearty and flavorful soup that's a little out of the ordinary? Look no further than this Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup recipe. While black bean soup is a staple of Southwestern US and Mexican cuisine, this recipe takes inspiration from various African cuisines to create a unique and satisfying dish. The combination of savoury black beans and rich, nutty peanut butter results in a flavour that's both familiar and unexpected. In this post, we'll show you step-by-step how to make this delicious and easy-to-prepare soup so that you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. Let's get started!

Black Bean Soup Ingredients

If you're looking for a flavorful and satisfying soup, the ingredients in this Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup are sure to hit the spot. The soup starts with a base of diced onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, and tomato paste, which create the foundational flavours and aromas that make this soup so delicious. The addition of diced potato and sweet potato adds substance to the soup while also providing a touch of natural sweetness that balances out the savoury ingredients. Diced red and green bell peppers also play a key role in providing flavour and texture to the soup.

Of course, the star ingredient of this recipe is the black beans. Not only do they add protein and essential nutrients, but they also provide a meaty texture that helps make this soup more filling and satisfying. For the broth, you can use chicken stock or water - both work well, and the choice is up to you. Finally, a bit of brown sugar and peanut butter add the perfect finishing touch to the soup, creating a rich and complex flavour that's sure to delight your taste buds.

Spices

To create the rich and complex flavours in this Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup, a variety of spices are used. Cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt all play a role in creating the final flavour profile. It may seem like a lot of spices, but each one brings a unique flavour and aroma to the soup that's worth the effort.

If you're missing some of the spices in your pantry, don't worry - you can easily substitute them with other spice blends. For example, you can use one tablespoon of either Madras Curry Powder (yellow curry), Garam Masala, or Berbere Spice to replace all of the spices except for the salt and pepper. These spice blends will bring a similar level of complexity and flavour to the soup, so you won't be missing out on anything.

If you're interested in making your own spice blends, we've included recipes for Madras Curry Powder and Garam Masala at the end of this post. You can also find these spice blends at your local grocery store, or you can order them online if they're not readily available in your area. Whatever spice blend you choose, we're sure that the final flavour of the Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup will be absolutely delicious.

Making Black Bean Soup

Building The Flavour

The key to making this Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup truly delicious is to build layers of flavour that complement each other. To start, add one tablespoon of olive oil to a 3-quart pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the diced onions and cook for about three minutes or until they begin to soften. This will help release the natural sweetness of the onions and create a strong foundation of flavour for the soup.

Next, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute. Garlic is a key ingredient in many soup recipes, adding an intense and slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients in the soup. By adding it after the onions have cooked for a few minutes, you'll allow the garlic to cook just enough to release its aroma and flavour without burning it.

As the onions and garlic cook, be sure to stir them frequently to prevent burning and to ensure that they cook evenly. This will help to build a base layer of flavour that will continue to develop as you add in the other ingredients. With the right blend of spices and seasonings, you can create a complex and satisfying soup that's sure to be a hit with family and friends.

For the full recipe and all the measurements, please refer to the printable recipe below. With a little bit of patience and careful attention to detail, you'll be able to create a soup that's both comforting and flavorful.

Adding Depth

To further enhance the depth of flavour in the Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup, incorporate the grated ginger and blend of spices into the pot. Add them to the pot with the onions and garlic, and cook, constantly stirring, for about thirty seconds. This will help to release the aromatic flavours of the spices and ginger.

Next, add the tomato paste to the pot and cook for two more minutes. This will help to deepen the flavour and colour of the soup while also adding a subtle sweetness that balances out the other spices. As you cook the tomato paste and spices, be sure to keep stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot. This will help to prevent burning and ensure that the flavours are evenly distributed throughout the soup.

By adding these ingredients and taking the time to cook them properly, you can create a rich and complex flavour profile that will satisfy your taste buds. Don't be afraid to experiment with the blend of spices to find a combination that's perfect for you. The beauty of soup is that it's easy to adjust and customize based on your personal preferences. With a little bit of patience and careful attention to detail, you'll be able to create a soup that's both comforting and flavorful.

Finishing The Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup

Now that the spices and seasonings have had a chance to develop, it's time to finish the Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup. Add the water or stock to the pot, and stir to lift any stuck bits of food off the bottom of the pot. Turn the heat up to high and bring the liquid to a boil.

Next, add in the diced potatoes and sweet potatoes and cook for about five minutes. This will allow the potatoes to cook while also absorbing the flavours of the soup.

Once the potatoes have cooked for five minutes, add in the black beans and diced peppers. Turn the heat back down to medium-high, and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the soup for five more minutes, allowing the black beans and peppers to soften and the flavours to meld together.

Stir in the peanut butter and brown sugar, which will add a rich and nutty flavour to the soup. Turn the heat down to low and let the soup simmer for about ten minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together even further. Be sure to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Once the soup has simmered for ten minutes, it's ready to serve. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favourite toppings, such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, or avocado. The finished soup should be thick, hearty, and full of rich and complex flavours that will satisfy your taste buds.

Serving The Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup

Once the Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup is ready, it's time to serve it up and enjoy. Ladle the soup into four bowls, and top each one with a small dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream. This will help balance the flavours and add a touch of tanginess to the dish.

Next, garnish the soup with thinly sliced green onions, which will add a pop of freshness and colour to the dish. You can also add additional toppings if you like, such as chopped cilantro, diced avocado, or a sprinkle of grated cheese. These toppings can help to add even more flavour and texture to the soup.

Finally, the soup is best served with some crusty bread or buttered bread on the side. This will allow you to soak up the flavorful broth and enjoy every last bit of the soup. You can also serve the soup with tortilla chips or crackers for an added crunch.

With its rich and complex flavour profile and hearty texture, this Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup will surely be a hit with family and friends. So go ahead and enjoy this delicious and nutritious soup, and don't forget to experiment with your own custom toppings to make it your own.

Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup

Change up your favorite black bean soup with our Peanut Butter Black Bean Soup recipe. This unique soup uses African-inspired flavors, including peanut butter and spices, to create a rich and satisfying dish. Say goodbye to the same old Southwest or Mexican-inspired black bean soups and try something new today!

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 50

Course: Soup

Cuisine: African, Canadian

Keyword: Black Bean Soup, Black Beans

Servings: servings

Author: Chef's Notes