Cuban Black Bean Soup (Instant Pot and Stovetop) Recipe
A delicious Cuban Black Bean Soup recipe can be made in an Instant Pot with dry beans or on your stovetop. Vegan and delicious!
How to Make the Best Cuban Black Bean Soup (Instant Pot and Stovetop)
This Cuban Black Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that brings the warmth of traditional Cuban cuisine right to your table. Whether you prefer the convenience of an Instant Pot or the simplicity of a stovetop, this recipe delivers authentic taste with ease. The combination of sautéed aromatics, earthy black beans, and warm spices like cumin and oregano creates a deeply satisfying soup that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
What makes this soup special is how the flavors develop through a careful cooking process. By taking time to sauté the onions, peppers, and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant, you’re building a rich base that forms the foundation of the entire dish. The addition of tomato paste and the optional ancho chili adds depth, while the finishing touch of fresh lime juice and a hint of sugar balances all the flavors beautifully.
This vegan-friendly soup is as nutritious as it is delicious, packed with plant-based protein from the black beans. Whether you blend part of it for a creamier texture or keep it chunky, and however you choose to garnish it, this Cuban Black Bean Soup is sure to become a beloved addition to your cooking repertoire.
Cuban Black Bean Soup (Instant Pot and Stovetop)
A delicious Cuban Black Bean Soup recipe can be made in an Instant Pot with dry beans or on your stovetop. Vegan and delicious!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat oil on the 'Sauté' function in your Instant Pot. Add the onions, peppers, garlic and salt and sauté for 10-12 minutes, until very soft. Take your time here.
- Add oregano, bay leaves, cumin, smoked paprika and tomato paste. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Add vegetable broth and water, scraping up any browned bits. If using soaked beans, leave out the water.
- Add the dry, unsoaked black beans, give a stir and set Instant Pot to high pressure for 30 minutes. If using soaked beans, see notes.
Finishing
- Manually release pressure or allow natural release, then give a stir.
- Add the sugar and lime. Fish out the bay leaves.
- For extra lusciousness, blend 2 cups of the soup until very smooth and stir back into the soup. This is recommended!
- Taste and adjust salt, lime and heat, adding more cayenne if you like.
- Serve and garnish with toppings like avocado (or sour cream), sweet potato chips or toasted coconut, and fresh cilantro or scallions.
Notes
- For stovetop version: Use canned black beans or soak dried beans overnight. Simmer vegetables for 5-7 minutes, then add all ingredients to a large pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until beans are tender.
- The recipe can be made vegan by using vegetable stock instead of chicken broth.
- Toppings really do add to the experience—something creamy, something crunchy, and something fresh are recommended.
