Sopita de Frijol con Chorizo
A hearty and flavorful bean soup, enriched with the smoky spice of chorizo and a touch of cilantro, representing a comforting staple in Honduran home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Dried red beans
- 8 cups Water
- 8 oz Honduran chorizo(casings removed, crumbled)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 0.5 tsp Oregano
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- for serving Lime wedges
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the dried 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: Discard soaking water and rinse beans before cooking. - 2
Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Place them in a large pot with 8 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until beans are tender.
⏱️ 1.5 hours - 3
While beans are simmering, cook the chorizo in a separate skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove chorizo with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the skillet.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to the chorizo drippings. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 5
Once beans are tender, add the sautéed vegetables, cooked chorizo, cumin, and oregano to the pot. Stir well.
💡 Tip: For a creamier soup, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot or blend a portion of the soup. - 6
Simmer the soup for another 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side.
💡 Tip: Serve with tortillas or crusty bread for dipping.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using Honduran chorizo will provide a more authentic flavor profile.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chorizo based on your spice preference.
- ✓If you don't have dried beans, you can use canned beans, but rinse them thoroughly and add them in the last 15 minutes of simmering.
🔄 Variations
- Add a diced potato or a bay leaf during the simmering process.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chorizo and sauté vegetables in a little oil, adding smoked paprika for depth.