Name: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1-2 tablespoon(s) water; 1½ - 1¾ cups chopped onions (one large onion); 1½ cups combination of chopped red peppers and green peppers; 1¼ teaspoon sea salt; freshly ground black pepper to taste (generous is good); 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves; ¼ teaspoon allspice (rounded); ¼ teaspoon (or less/more, to taste) red pepper flakes; 4 medium-large cloves garlic, minced or grated; 4½ - 5 cups black beans (reserve 1 cup; drain and rinse if using canned - about three 14 or 15 ounce cans); 3 cups water; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice; ½ - 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup; 1 bay leaf; 1½ cups cubed (in small chunks, about ½”) yellow sweet potato (or can substitute white potato); Chopped cilantro for serving; Extra lime wedges for serving; Chopped avocado tossed with lemon juice and dash of salt, for serving

Prep-time: 30 minutes / Ready In: 40 minutes
Serves 4-5
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This soup has an irresistible quality; the flavors are deep and earthy with some sweetness from the potatoes. Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you – they build layers of flavor, but this soup is not at all difficult to make!

From Plant-Powered 15

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By Dreena Burton, Apr 29, 2013

Ingredients

1-2 tablespoon(s) water
1½ - 1¾ cups chopped onions (one large onion)
1½ cups combination of chopped red peppers and green peppers
1¼ teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste (generous is good)
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
¼ teaspoon allspice (rounded)
¼ teaspoon (or less/more, to taste) red pepper flakes
4 medium-large cloves garlic, minced or grated
4½ - 5 cups black beans (reserve 1 cup; drain and rinse if using canned - about three 14 or 15 ounce cans)
3 cups water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
½ - 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1 bay leaf
1½ cups cubed (in small chunks, about ½”) yellow sweet potato (or can substitute white potato)
Chopped cilantro for serving
Extra lime wedges for serving
Chopped avocado tossed with lemon juice and dash of salt, for serving

Instructions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add water, onions, red and green peppers, salt and pepper, cumin seeds, oregano, allspice, and red pepper flakes. Let cook for 5-7 minutes until onions and peppers start to soften.
Add garlic. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and let cook another few minutes to soften garlic - if sticking/burning, add another splash of water.
After a few minutes of cooking, add 3½ cups beans (reserving one cup of beans), water, tomato paste, vinegar, lime juice, and maple syrup (start with ½ teaspoon).
Using an immersion blender, puree soup until fairly smooth.
Increase heat to bring to boil, add bay leaf and diced sweet potatoes, then once at boil reduce and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Add remaining cup of black beans and extra maple syrup if desired (taste test). Stir through, let simmer for another few minutes, then serve, topping with cilantro if desired and with lime wedges. Also delicious to top soup with some chopped seasoned avocado or a simple guacamole.

Sweet Potato Tip: Sometimes I have leftover sweet potato home fries that have been seasoned with just sea salt. If so, I take a recipe and chopping shortcut and simply add these to my soup during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, just to heat through.

(3)

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(4.67 from 3 votes)

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Katherine Prentice2 months ago

This is an excellent recipe, full of rich layers of flavor! I replaced the tomato paste with 6 tbsp Glen Muir organic crushed roasted tomatoes and I used organic vegetable broth instead of water. Thank you so much!

Terry9 months ago

This soup is amazing! It is soooo flavorful! I didn’t have all the ingredients and used jarred fire roasted peppers instead of fresh, also I used low sodium vegetable broth instead of water. Gosh, it’s so good!

Melanie1 year ago

Very delicious!!!!!! I made this for my husband when all of the sudden he wanted to try vegan for a year. That was 10 years ago and I still recall how wonderful this soup is that I a decided to make it again for this winter 🙂

Kaylyn Burford2 years ago

Delicious!!

K. Burford2 years ago

I made this tonight and it is stupendous! Very tasty! Highly recommend it. I doubled most of the spices but the combination weak or strong, is excellent!

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about the author

Dreena Burton

Dreena Burton has written six cookbooks charting her journey as a plant-powered cook and at-home mother of three. Always passionate about creating nutritious recipes, she is an advocate of using the “vegan basics” (beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) to create dishes that are healthy but also very satisfying and delicious! For more on her plant-powered recipes and newest cookbook, Dreena’s Kind Kitchen: 100+ Whole-Foods Vegan Recipes to Enjoy Every Day, visit dreenaburton.com, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

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