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+ servings
Kidney bean soup in a white bowl.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Kidney Bean Soup

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Aleksandra

Ingredients

for the soup:

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 15 slices smoked bacon 5 ounces/150g
  • 1 large onion
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander dried
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups chicken broths 480ml
  • 3 cans kidney beans (with liquid) 14-oz/400ml
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 14-oz/400ml
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • chopped cilantro leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

garnish:

  • fried/baked tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
  • avocado
  • sour cream
  • shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions

  • Dice the onion, finely chop garlic, cut bell pepper into small cubes, and bacon into 3/4-1 inch cubes (2-2.5 cm).
  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for a couple of minutes until it's browned and crispy. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon/spider strainer to a plate, leaving the oil/fat in the pot (you should have about 2-3 tablespoons of fat).
  • Add the onion and bell pepper, cook for about 4-5 minutes until the onion is soft.
  • Add the garlic and all the spices, cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
  • Add kidney beans with their liquid, crushed tomatoes, and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Take the pot off the heat. Puree half of the soup with a blender, add it back to the pot (you can also blend the whole soup but I prefer it part creamy part chunky). Season the soup with lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
  • Assemble: ladle soup into bowls, stir in some chopped cilantro, top with reserved bacon, diced avocado, shredded cheddar, tortilla strips/crushed tortilla chips, and a dollop of sour cream.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Chili powder is a spice mix, not 100% ground chili peppers.
  • If you're gonna use diced or whole canned tomatoes, puree them with a mixer until they resemble crushed tomatoes, the consistency of crushed tomatoes is better for this soup.
  • You can add some smoked paprika to the soup if you want it more smokey.
  • Calories = 1 serving (1/6 of the soup), doesn’t include toppings. This is only an estimate!

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal