Description
Hearty Mexican pinto bean soup brings warmth and comfort from central Mexico’s culinary traditions. Rich beans blend with spices and fresh ingredients, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) pinto beans, dried
- 2 cans pinto beans, drained & rinsed
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Tortilla chips
- Avocado
- Queso fresco
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously wash dried pinto beans under cool water, discarding any imperfect or discolored legumes, then soak overnight in a spacious container at ambient temperature.
- Soup Base: Transfer rinsed beans to a large pot, combining with fresh water and initiating the flavor foundation with aromatic vegetables like onions, garlic, and bell peppers.
- Seasoning Technique: Infuse the liquid with traditional Mexican spices including cumin, oregano, and chili powder, creating a deep, complex flavor profile that complements the beans’ natural earthiness.
- Simmering Process: Gently cook the beans on low heat, periodically monitoring liquid levels and stirring to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching, allowing the legumes to tenderize and absorb the rich seasonings.
- Flavor Refinement: Develop a creamy, luxurious texture over 1-2 hours of slow cooking, carefully adjusting salt and pepper to achieve a perfectly balanced taste profile.
- Finishing Touch: Elevate the dish with vibrant garnishes such as fresh cilantro, creamy diced avocado, or a zesty lime squeeze, introducing a burst of freshness and authentic Mexican culinary character.
Notes
- Rinse Thoroughly: Remove stones, broken beans, and foreign particles to ensure soup quality and prevent unexpected textures.
- Soak Strategically: Extended overnight soaking reduces cooking time and helps eliminate complex sugars that cause digestive discomfort.
- Spice Layering: Add spices at different cooking stages to develop deeper, more complex flavor dimensions in the soup.
- Control Liquid Levels: Maintain consistent moisture to prevent bean scorching and achieve creamy, smooth consistency without becoming dry or mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: hour (stovetop) or 6-8 hours (slow cooker)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg