Ahead we\u2019re delving into the promising health benefits of beans<\/a> and how they can serve as an integral foundation for an overall well-balanced diet. Plus, three deliciously cozy black bean soup recipes that cradle your taste buds with every bite.<\/p>\n Beans cover all the bases when it comes to important pillars of nutrition. For starters, one cup of black beans contains a whopping 15 grams of protein<\/a> (nearly half of a 30 grams-per-meal goal<\/a> from just one ingredient). The same-size serving also contains 15 grams of fiber, one of the most important nutrients for healthy aging<\/a>: The gut digests food and absorbs nutrients<\/a>, and impacts everything from your mood and energy levels<\/a> to your immune system<\/a> and skin<\/a>. (And yes, beans cause a little gas<\/a> here and there, but most experts agree it’s generally nothing to worry about.)<\/p>\n If that\u2019s not convincing enough, Blue Zones\u2019<\/a> founder Dan Buettner<\/a> says that eating more beans is one of the easiest ways to boost longevity through food<\/a>, which he noticed when studying the eating habits of some of the longest-living people in the world. That said, it’s important that this doesn\u2019t just apply to black beans: Various types of beans including fava beans, black beans, soy beans, and lentils are also cornerstones of many centenarian diets<\/a>. No matter which you choose, know that it will be packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and potassium.<\/p>\n 20 minutes to spare? This quick and easy black bean soup recipe by The Recipe Critic<\/a> is by far one of the simplest ways to get a flavorful bean soup on the table fast. The trick is using pre-cooked ingredients to help save tons of prep time (and dirty dishes to clean). For example, the recipe calls for two cans of black beans, which serve as the base of the soup. Then, you can build upon the flavors with store-bought ingredients such as canned fire-roasted tomatoes, low-sodium veggie broth, diced green chiles, and frozen corn. Easy-peasy.<\/p>\n To add a little extra heat and complexity, there\u2019s a few teaspoons of cumin and chili powder in the mix too. How can I thicken my black bean soup, you may ask? In order to give this healthy soup recipe a rich, creamy texture, the developer blends the unstrained beans in a food processor before<\/em> combining them with the broth. Not thick enough? Simply blend some of the soup (and all of its ingredients) in a blender or food processor. Conversely, if the homemade soup is too creamy for your liking, adding some extra broth will help thin the mixture and do the trick.<\/p>\n Get the recipe: <\/em>20-Minute Black Bean Soup<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n One-pot, vegetarian-friendly, packed with antioxidant-rich veggies, what more could you ask for? This easy black bean soup by Downshiftology<\/a> checks off all of the boxes and more. Similar to the previous recipe, this one comes together in mere minutes and relies on canned black beans to get the job done (though, we won\u2019t stop you from turning this into a canned baked<\/em> beans recipe<\/a> instead).<\/p>\n That said, this recipe will<\/em> require a little extra digging through the spice rack. It calls for a few extra seasoning spices like dried oregano, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper to achieve its bean soup goodness. The good news? It\u2019s totally swap-friendly. Don\u2019t have oregano? A pinch of dried sage will do. In other words, you can add as little or as many spices your heart desires (or simply what you have on hand). Plus, it\u2019s the toppings\u2014fresh cilantro, red onion, avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges\u2014that really make this recipe shine.<\/p>\n Get the recipe: <\/em>Black Bean Soup<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Calling all Instant Pot lovers. This black bean soup recipe by The Seasoned Mom<\/a> is the definition of \u201cset it and forget it\u201d and the holy grail of instant pot bean recipes<\/a>. All you have to do is dump all of the ingredients into a slow cooker, crank it on high, and let the soup cook to perfection in four to five hours. Once ready, feel free to enjoy it as is, or take things up a notch by using an immersion blender to pur\u00e9e the ingredients until it\u2019s smooth, creamy, and oh-so dreamy. Swoon. <\/em>Don\u2019t forget to make extra, because there are tons of ways to get creative once you learn what to do with leftover soup<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat are the health benefits of beans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to make black bean soup packed with protein and fiber<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. 20-Minute Black Bean Soup<\/h3>\n
2. Hearty Black Bean Soup<\/h3>\n
3. Slow-Cooker Black Bean Soup<\/h3>\n