Skip to main content

Quick-Draw Black Bean Soup—“Gunslinger” Soup!

Cooks' Note

Canned beans usually have a higher glycemic index than home-cooked dried black beans, but we provide this quick-on-the-draw recipe for those occasions when you just don’t have time to start from scratch. Take care to rinse and drain the beans well to ensure that no metallic taste from the can lingers. If you do have some cooked black beans on hand and would prefer to use them (see pages 25–27 for directions on soaking and cooking dried beans), substitute 2 cups for the canned beans in the recipe.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

4 ounces ham (not sugar-cured), trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch cubes (optional)
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One 19-ounce can black bean soup
One 14 1/2-ounce can chicken broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Chopped green onion tops or chopped fresh cilantro, to garnish

Preparation

  1. If you wish to add ham to the soup, first brown it evenly in a 2-quart nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the beans, bean soup, broth, chili powder, onion, and garlic. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into soup bowls, and garnish with green onion tops or cilantro.

Sugar Busters! Quick & Easy Cookbook
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.