Vegetarian Creamy Corn and Black Bean Soup
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An easy and hearty Vegetarian Creamy Corn and Black Bean Soup with Mexican-inspired flavors made in the Instant Pot and ready in 30 minutes!
This recipe was inspired by: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/crockpot-mexican-street-corn-chicken-chowder and my sister in law who made a delicious vegetarian version of this for us!
I'm convinced that soups are healing for the body and there's just a magical comfort when you eat a warm bowl of soup. Even though it's January and still 75 degrees here in Houston, I love to make this soup when it’s cold, rainy, or when I need some magical comfort.
This soup is so simple, balanced (has a great mix of vegetables, protein, dairy, and carbs), and requires ingredients you probably already have.
- Vegetables.
- I used onions, bell peppers, jalapeño (did you know this is actually a fruit?!)
- Frozen corn: you may also use fresh or canned if that's what you have!
- I also add spinach at the end to preserve nutrients.
- Feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables you have in your fridge! Other vegetables I suggest are zucchini and carrots.
- Spices and Extras. Tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, garlic, ground cumin, and salt.
- Black beans. This gives the soup a great hearty flavor and an added source of protein and fiber. You can add an additional can if you like your soup to have additional protein and fiber.
- Dairy. The best part that brings the soup together- freshly shredded cheese and half and half.
- For the cheese, I love using Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese for a cheese that is a great vegetarian rennet option. I always recommend freshly grated block cheese as it combines well and doesn't get clumpy like pre-shredded cheese.
- For the half and half, you are welcome to use whole milk if that's what you have available. It will be slightly less creamy/thick, however, still has makes a wonderful soup!
- In the Instant Pot, saute onions, garlic, and jalapeño then add the tomato paste. Turn the Instant Pot off. Add the bell peppers, corn, seasonings, and vegetable broth.
- Set the Instant Pot for 1 minute (will take about 10 minutes to reach pressure). This gives enough time for the rest of the vegetables to cook thoroughly. After the Instant Pot beeps, quick release the valve.
- Add the black beans, spinach, half and half and shredded cheese.
- Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve warm with your favorite garnishes! Topping options can include: lime, cilantro, hot sauce, sour cream, additional cheese, or avocado.
If you loved this Vegetarian Creamy Corn and Black Bean Soup recipe, let me know in the comments below! I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Subscribe for my weekly emails at the bottom so you never miss a new recipe!
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Vegetarian Creamy Corn and Black Bean Soup
Recipe details
- 6 people
- Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 20 Minutes Total time: 25 min
Comments
Share your thoughts, or ask a question!
Your flavors here are PERFECT!!! Because I have folks in the family who are both watching calories and dairy-free, I used your recipe with the following (minor) changes. I didn't add a jalapeno (instead, I used a can of Rotel/diced tomatoes with green chiles -hot! Though, regular or even mild would be fine, I'm sure - we like the heat! lol). I blistered a poblano on the stove and minced it, instead of bell pepper.
My procedural difference was that I added the chicken broth to the can of black beans (I did not drain them). Then, after they were to a boil, I lowered the heat and hit it with an immersion blender to create creaminess and some rough-pulsed black bean pieces. THEN I added the corn, the poblano, the Rotel, garlic, onions and spices (because I had them wanting using, I added finely-diced carrot and celery, and diced zucchini). Let simmer until everything was heated through; just a minute or two before serving, I added the spinach. Served it with grated cheese and sour cream on the side for those who were interested, but it was downright delicious all on its own!!! (Note: this way could also be made vegan with vegetable broth instead of chicken, and would be just as delicious! Just skip the dairy toppings at the end...)
Thanks so much for a great (and versatile!) post - TGIF had a black bean soup that was super-thick and one of my favorite menu items. This recipe, with just a teeny splash of liquid smoke, takes basically exactly like it!!! (Theirs had minced celery and carrot, as well.) But you could add whatever you wanted or your garden granted you! SUCH great flavor, super-creamy, and when it's chock-full of veggies and the beans get blitzed for the creamy factor, it's actually really, really low calorie (including my additions of zucchini, poblano, etc, the entire pot has 730 calories! With large servings so this makes only 4, that's just under 183 calories/serving. You could actually double the beans for extra heartiness and still wind up with 4 servings at just under 288 calories/serving!!! SUPER filling, super for the waistline!). Thanks again!!! This "lightened up" version will be introduced into the regular rotation (with my thanks for finally inspiring me to replicate and reduce the calories in my beloved TGIF recipe!!!)!! ~Chrissie O.
Soooooo, I just finished making this! Honey, this is a winner in my book! We are big soup lovers. Made per recipe, but was a bit heavy handed on the spices. I didn't have fresh jalapeno, so I used a can of chopped. It's still morning here, but I could eat this for breakfast. Looking forward to lunch! Thanks a bunch!