Zesty Southwestern Bean Soup
Experience a burst of flavors with this Zesty Southwestern Bean Soup, a perfect blend of hearty ground beef, nutritious beans, and vibrant vegetables. This soup not only warms your soul but also tantalizes your taste buds with the zesty kick of jalapenos and mild green chilies. Easy to make in under an hour, it's a perfect weeknight meal that can be shared with family and friends. Top it off with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for an extra layer of flavor. Enjoy this delightful dish any time of the year, whether it’s a chilly evening or a sunny day.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned and crumbled)
onion
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
light red kidney beans
32 ounces (rinsed and drained)
black beans
15 ounces (rinsed and drained)
petite diced tomatoes with jalapenos
14.5 ounces (undrained)
diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
14.5 ounces (undrained)
beef broth
14 ounces
frozen whole kernel corn
2 cups (yellow and white mix)
taco seasoning mix
1 ounce
salt
1/4 teaspoon
pepper
1/4 teaspoon
fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
sour cream
to taste (for garnish)
fresh cilantro
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion and minced garlic for about 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently until the meat is well crumbled and no longer pink, and the onion is soft. Then, drain excess fat.
2
Add the rinsed and drained kidney beans, black beans, petite diced tomatoes with jalapenos, diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, frozen corn, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
3
Pour in 4 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the soup to heat thoroughly.
5
Right before serving, stir in the chopped fresh cilantro to give the soup a bright and fresh flavor.
6
Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and additional chopped cilantro on top for garnish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Southwestern Bean Soup?
It is a hearty and flavorful soup that combines ground beef, two types of beans, and vibrant vegetables with a zesty kick from jalapenos and green chilies.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of ground beef, which is browned and crumbled during the cooking process.
How long does it take to brown the beef and onions?
It takes approximately 10-12 minutes to brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic.
Should I drain the fat from the meat?
Yes, once the meat is browned and the onions are soft, you should drain the excess fat from the Dutch oven.
What types of beans are in the soup?
The soup includes 32 ounces of light red kidney beans and 15 ounces of black beans.
Do I need to rinse the beans?
Yes, both the kidney beans and the black beans should be rinsed and drained before adding them to the soup.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe uses 14.5 ounces of petite diced tomatoes with jalapenos and 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes with mild green chilies.
Do I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, the tomatoes should be added to the pot undrained to include their flavorful juices.
What type of broth is required?
This recipe uses 14 ounces of beef broth as a savory base.
How much water should be added to the pot?
You should pour in 4 cups of water after combining the main ingredients and before bringing the mixture to a boil.
What kind of corn is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of frozen whole kernel corn, specifically a yellow and white mix.
What is the main seasoning for this soup?
The primary seasoning is one ounce of taco seasoning mix, supplemented with salt and pepper.
How long should the soup simmer?
Once the soup reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
When is the cilantro added?
Fresh chopped cilantro is stirred into the soup right before serving to provide a bright, fresh flavor.
What are the recommended toppings?
The soup is best served with a dollop of sour cream and additional chopped cilantro as a garnish.
Is this soup considered spicy?
The soup has a zesty kick due to the inclusion of jalapenos and mild green chilies, but it is generally balanced and hearty.
Can I make this recipe in under an hour?
Yes, with a 10-12 minute browning time and a 30-minute simmer, the total preparation and cooking time is well under an hour.
What equipment do I need?
A large Dutch oven is the ideal cooking vessel for browning the ingredients and simmering the soup.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe uses 2 cloves of minced garlic for aromatic flavor.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One cup of onion should be coarsely chopped before being added to the pot.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
While the recipe specifically mentions ground beef, ground turkey can be used as a leaner substitute.
How much salt and pepper are added?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients listed for this Zesty Southwestern Bean Soup.
Is the soup suitable for a weeknight meal?
Yes, it is designed as a perfect weeknight meal because it is easy to make and very filling.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
Yes, covering the pot during the 30-minute simmer helps the flavors meld and keeps the heat consistent.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and could accommodate extra bell peppers or zucchini if desired.
What is the flavor profile of this soup?
The soup features savory beef, earthy beans, and bright, spicy notes from the chilies and taco seasoning.
Is this soup hearty enough for a main course?
Absolutely, the combination of beef, beans, and corn makes it a very substantial and satisfying main dish.
Can I use fresh corn?
While the recipe suggests frozen corn for convenience, fresh whole kernel corn would also work well.
How should I serve the soup?
It should be served hot, ideally garnished with fresh cilantro and sour cream to enhance the Southwestern theme.