Sopa de Frijol Negro Salvadoreña
A hearty and flavorful black bean soup, a staple in Salvadoran cuisine, often seasoned with aromatic vegetables and served with a dollop of crema.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Dried black beans
- 8 cups Water
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 1/2 bunch Cilantro(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- for serving Crema Salvadoreña
- for serving Queso fresco(crumbled)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the black beans and soak them in water overnight, or use a quick soak method by boiling beans for 2 minutes, then letting them sit in hot water for 1 hour.
💡 Tip: Soaking helps beans cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. - 2
Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Add 8 cups of fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until beans are tender.
⏱️ 1.5 hours - 3
While beans are simmering, heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 4
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Once beans are tender, add the sautéed onion, garlic, and bell pepper mixture to the pot. Stir in most of the chopped cilantro, reserving some for garnish.
💡 Tip: Adding cilantro later preserves its fresh flavor. - 6
Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 7
For a smoother soup, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or by carefully transferring some to a regular blender. Return to the pot and stir.
💡 Tip: This step is optional, but creates a creamier texture. - 8
Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of crema Salvadoreña, crumbled queso fresco, and the reserved fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a piece of pork or ham hock while the beans are simmering.
- ✓Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired soup consistency.
- ✓Leftover soup often tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cumin for an earthy note.
- Include a bay leaf during the simmering process.
- Serve with a side of white rice.