Smoky Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup
Velvety roasted sweet potato puree simmered with smoky chipotle spices, tender black beans, and sweet corn with a lime crema swirl.
In a nutshell:This authentic southwestern-american smoky sweet potato and black bean soup comes together in just 45 minutes with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend half of the sweet potatoes and broth into a velvety base. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
This Smoky Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup is cozy autumn nutrition at its finest! Velvety pureed roasted sweet potatoes simmered in a spiced vegetable broth with cumin, smoked paprika, whole black beans, and sweet golden corn. Finished with a cooling swirl of lime crema, ripe avocado cubes, and fresh cilantro.
Key Equipment
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- Immersion blender or high-speed blender
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot
- Chef's knife & cutting board
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Partially blend for the best texture: Puree about half of the cooked sweet potato and broth mixture with an immersion blender, then stir in the black beans and corn; this creates a velvety bisque-like texture with hearty rustic bites.
- Roast sweet potato cubes: Sautéing the cubed sweet potatoes with garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika for 5 minutes before adding broth awakens the spices and caramelizes the potato edges.
- Lime crema brightens the bowl: Whisking fresh lime zest and juice into sour cream or coconut yogurt creates the ultimate cooling contrast against smoky chili and sweet potato warmth.
Ingredients
6
servings
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2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
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2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
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1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen
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1 medium yellow onion, diced small
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1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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4 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium
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2 tbsp olive oil, for sautéing
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1 tbsp ground cumin, earthy warmth
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1 tsp smoked paprika, adds deep smoky barbecue notes
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½ tsp chili powder & pinch cayenne, gentle warmth
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½ cup sour cream or coconut yogurt, whisked with 1 tbsp lime juice for lime crema
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1 whole ripe avocado, diced, for serving
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¼ cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped, for garnish
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1 tsp kosher salt & black pepper, to taste
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Sauté Aromatics and Spices
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped yellow onion and red bell pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Sweet Potatoes
Add cubed sweet potatoes and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 15–18 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
Blend to Desired Texture
Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend half of the sweet potatoes and broth into a velvety, thick soup base (or transfer 2 cups of soup to a stand blender, puree smooth, and return to the pot), leaving tender chunks of sweet potato intact.
Add Black Beans and Corn
Stir in the drained black beans and sweet corn kernels. Simmer uncovered on low for 6–8 minutes until beans and corn are heated through and flavors are harmonized. Squeeze in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and adjust salt to taste.
Garnish and Serve
In a small bowl, whisk sour cream (or coconut yogurt) with lime juice and a pinch of salt to make the lime crema. Ladle hot soup into wide artisan bowls, drizzle with a spiral of lime crema, and top with diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a dusting of smoked paprika!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
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Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! The soup base is naturally 100% vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. For a strictly vegan garnish, use unsweetened coconut yogurt or cashew cream instead of dairy sour cream for the lime crema.
Yes! If you're short on time, swap fresh sweet potatoes for two 15-ounce cans of pure sweet potato puree and reduce the simmering time to 15 minutes.
It keeps beautifully in airtight glass containers in the fridge for up to 5 days, or can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop.