Happy Labor Day, friends! I hope that you’re enjoying your day off — whatever that means for you. I really don’t have any special plans. Maybe a Mariah Carey jam sesh and cookie baking, but nothing extraordinary.
But I’m super excited for tomorrow because Tony is officially done with baseball and I’m looking forward to having him back home. Even though our Fall months are going to be jam-packed with moving, redecorating, painting, concerts and trips; I can’t wait to do it all with him. All the romantic, mushy feels are happening.
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Looking ahead, we’ve got a trip planned to Denver in late October. I’m in the midst of planning our itinerary and would LOVE all of your recommendations for things to do/see/eat and stay in Denver! I’ve heard it’s such a cool city, so I’m really looking forward to it. Food wise, I’m specifically interested in the breakfast/brunch scene and any doughnut places that are a MUST try. Let me know!
Now… let’s just talk about this Black Bean Soup cause I’ve been majorly crushing on it for the past two weeks. Seriously, I’ve made it twice and I cannot get enough. It’s simple, easy, flavorful and incredibly healthy. All the basic necessities, right?
And of course since we’re now past the labor day hump of September, I feel like I’m ready to turn on my oven and bring you all things warm and cozy.
What spices are in this easy black bean soup:
This soup literally takes a little over 30 minutes to make. It’s flavored with spices like:
- cumin
- chili
- and oregano
I personally love topping it with crushed tortilla chips, a little cheese and cilantro, but anything goes. It’s also wonderful over a baked sweet potato. Enjoy!
If you make anything from AK, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram — I love seeing your creations and featuring followers! You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat (username: ambitiouskitch).
More vegetarian soup recipes you’ll love:
Healing Thai Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Lightened Up Cheddar Cauliflower Broccoli Soup

Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 - 15 ounce cans organic black beans (do not drain)
- 1 - 15 ounce can organic tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup water or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add in onions and garlic, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
- Add in spices: chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Stir for 30 seconds then add in black beans, tomato sauce and water. Be sure to not to drain the black beans; the extra black bean juice will help to thicken the soup!
- Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. If your beans and tomato sauce wasn't salted, you may need to add a pinch of salt. It's up to you! Garnish with cheese, cilantro and sour cream, if desired. I like to serve mine with crunchy tortilla chips. Serves 4.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen
Photography by: Sarah Fennel // Broma Bakery
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37 comments
My husband and I were in Denver this past June as his brother has lived there for 30 years. We loved Garden of the Gods and the Red Rock Amphitheater. We went downtown and did a tour of the State Building and some old churches around it. Sorry don’t know any good places to eat as we ate at home as my brother in law is a great cook. We went up to Steamboat Springs to their cottage and went to the Strawberry Hot Springs which was great. Hope you enjoy your trip. I will be making this soup as soon as the temperature goes down…currently 100 plus humidity makes it feel even hotter.
Our favorite donut place is called Winchells. They have the BEST donuts. The old fashioned glazed donuts are my favorite.
Oh my gosh these photos are amazing! And ooo that cheese is making me swoon. This is going on my to-make list after I get back from traveling!!
I love how easy this recipe is. Looks so perfect and comforting as Fall approaches! Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!
Snooze in Denver is a must for breakfast/brunch! Their pancake flights are delicious.
Yummm this sounds so simple and delicious! Can’t wait to try it out. 😀
I was recently in Colorado and went to VooDoo doughnuts and Lamars doughnuts and both were INCREDIBLE! For breakfast, we went to Snooze right when we got in and loved it so much we went another time we were there. I definitely recommend it!
Yay for all the mushy feels! I’m so excited for you guys. This black bean soup looks delicious!
AWE, yay that Tony is going to be home, I hope you guys have such a fun fall season. This soup looks delish and I love how quick and easy it is 🙂
I love whipping up black bean soup and your recipe looks fantastic!
Black beans and sweet potato just go together! this has me day dreaming of slightly cooler weather and warmer food!!
I love this soup! I have all of the ingredients in my pantry and fridge right now, so I will definitely be making it soon!
We love black bean soup at our house too, your version sounds wonderful, perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
Black beans and cumin = great marriage!
Great adjectives to use – it’s quick, it’s easy – but you forgot one — AMAZING! Quick easy and AMAZING! Love the photos, love the recipe!
I love black bean soup! This recipe looks so easy and approachable and healthy! I love it!
I love a good, easy soup like this in the fall and winter. Black bean soup is one of my favorites! I love adding garnishes to mine–cheese, tomatoes, cilantro, greek yogurt! Yum!
Hooooooooooray Tony is home!!!! Anytime you want to do a joint Mariah Carey jam sesh I’m down. But I feel like you might have already known that. This soup looks great too. I would totally crush over this too 🙂
Looks so easy and yummy!
This looks great. I am on to preparing this. Thanks
wow so easy
Very delicious meal.love beans quite alot
beans will always remain my favourite food.thanks for the recipe.
You bet! 🙂
Just made this but with 3 kinds of beans for some variation! Love it! So easy and simple but so flavorful! Served with Avocado, lime, and GF corn bread!!!
Perfect! And YUM love this with avocado and corn bread.
Just saw this recipe included on a fast & easy beans for dinner link earlier today so I made it for dinner tonite. Very easy to make. I made a half batch. I didnt have the broth but used water & bouillon (chicken). Half batch was a can and a half of beans. I had a half can in the freezer that was already drained so I used that plus a full can of beans with liquid. I thought it was gonna be too thin but it thickened up on simmering.
And darn…I just noticed I missed the oregano. For some reason I was thinking it was cilantro and I dont care for cilantro taste. It was still tasty. Will have to try it again. Ha ha. We had it with tortilla chips and salad but next time I think cornbread for two would be good with it. Thanks 🙂
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
Made this exactly as is and it was great! So easy and quickly. Topped mine with a little cheese and made some homemade tortilla chips in the air fryer to dip in as well. Perfect lunch for these cooler fall days!
Delicious! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
WOW! This soup is AMAZING!!! I made it for lunch today and just reduced the chili powder to 2 tsp, and everyone devoured it – including our 2yo and 4yo. Huge hit! This will be a new go-to. Thank you so much!
Perfect! So happy to hear that!
So easy and so tasty!! I left out the broth because I wanted to keep it really thick- so so good.
Perfect! Love it!
Print option does not work. Link must be broken.
Hi, Christine. It’s working for me, so not sure what’s going on on your computer! After clicking “print recipe”, does another window open on your internet browser with the recipe and a “print” button?