Smoky Black Bean Sweet Potato (Printer View)

A warm blend of sweet potatoes, smoky black beans, and bright lime crema for comforting dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)

→ Beans and Liquids

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Lime Crema

16 - 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - Zest of 1 lime
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
19 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes

20 - Chopped fresh cilantro
21 - Sliced jalapeños
22 - Lime wedges

# Method Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
02 - Add garlic and bell pepper; cook for 2 more minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook while stirring for 2 minutes to release spice aromas.
04 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer.
05 - Cover pot and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup in the pot for a creamy texture while maintaining some chunks for body. Alternatively, transfer 2 cups to a blender, puree, and return to the pot.
07 - While soup simmers, whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth.
08 - Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls and top each with a dollop of lime crema and desired garnishes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Rich in Flavor: Smoked paprika and cumin provide a deep, smoky undertone that perfectly complements the sweet potatoes.
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 50 minutes using mostly pantry staples and fresh vegetables.
  • Nutritious: Packed with 13g of protein and fiber-rich ingredients, making it a healthy vegetarian and gluten-free choice.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted for vegan diets or enhanced with extra vegetables like corn or spinach.
02 -
  • Toast the Spices: Don't skip the step of cooking the spices with the vegetables for 2 minutes; this unlocks the oils and creates a much deeper flavor profile.
  • Texture Balance: Pureeing only about a third of the soup provides a creamy mouthfeel while keeping the heartiness of the whole beans and potatoes.
  • Acidity is Key: The lime crema isn't just a garnish—the acidity of the lime juice balances the richness of the sweet potatoes and the earthiness of the beans.
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