Easy Spicy Bean Soup

This easy spicy bean soup recipe is packed full of vegetables and protein rich borlotti beans, and flavoured with smoky chipotle chilli paste for an extra spicy punch. This easy soup recipe is ideal for anyone following a gluten free, dairy free or vegan diet.

Packed full of beans, and with a lovely variety of vegetables, this spicy bean and vegetable soup is surprisingly light to eat. However the beans are protein rich which will keep you feeling fuller and satisfied for longer.

Canned beans are something I always have to hand in my store cupboards and they make a great addition to any meal. Beans are great at absorbing flavours, I love adding a variety of beans to soups and stews.

This vegan spicy bean soup recipe is a regular on my lunch and dinner menu, it’s ideal for anyone who want’s a hearty but healthy soup.

I like to cook this best spicy bean soup recipe on meat-free days when I want to lighten the load. I enjoying eating vegetable based meals and like to have days every week where my diet contains no meat.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Quick to prepare and ready to serve in just 40 minutes, making this an ideal mid week dinner option with a side of crusty bread.
• A healthy soup packed with protein rich beans which keep you fuller for longer. Use a gluten free vegetable stock and it can be served to gluten free diners too.
• Make ahead earlier in the day, or the day before, and store in the fridge until you are ready to finish the soup and serve.

Recipe ingredients

• Oil – for the best flavour I like to sauté the vegetables in olive oil as it has a great nutty flavour. You can use any other variety of cooking oil.
• Vegetables – for the base of the soup I like to start with onion, carrots and celery, and I soften these for 4-5 minutes. I then add sweet bell peppers and courgettes later so as not to overcook these softer vegetables.
• Garlic – I use freshly crush garlic for the best flavour, although frozen garlic is a great substitute.
• Beans – I’ve used 2 cans of barlotti beans as that’s what I had in my stores, but you can use any variety of canned bean.
• Stock – use a good quality vegetable stock, opting for gluten free stock if serving to coelics or gluten free diners.
• Chilli paste – I add chipotle chilli paste to the soup as it has a great smoky flavour. Adjust the amount of paste to suit your own tastes.
• Tomatoes – I like to add 4-5 chopped vine tomatoes just before serving the soup, to add a burst of fresh tomato flavour.
• Seasoning – I keep the seasoning simple with some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Garnish – I like to finish the soup with a squeeze of fresh lime and some freshly chopped coriander leaves. This is entirely optional.

How to make spicy bean soup

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and a large pinch of salt (this will stop the vegetables browning) and sauté for 4 minutes, then add the garlic and continue to sauté for a further minute.
• Cut the courgette into quarters lengthwise, then remove and discard the soft core, before dicing.

• Add the peppers and courgettes and continue to sauté the vegetables for a further 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
• Add the borlotti beans, chipotle chilli paste and vegetable stock, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. [If making this soup in advance, take it to this stage and stop. Then cool and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to finish the soup and serve].

• Add the tomatoes to the pan, along with the seasoning, and cook for a further minute.
• Serve with a garnish of freshly chopped coriander and a wedge of fresh lime.

Recipe variations

• Beans – I have used borlotti beans in this soup, but use what you have to hand. Butter beans, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, or chickpeas all work well in this soup. Try mixing it up and add 2 different varieties, or use a can of mixed beans.
• Vegetables – When it comes to vegetables adapt to what you enjoy eating and have in your fridge at home. For example, sweet potato, butternut squash, parsnip, or a handful of kale or spinach, would all work well in this simple bean soup.
• Chilli – I usually add 3 teaspoons of chipotle chilli paste to the soup, but you can adjust this up or down to suit your own tastes. If you don’t like too much chilli, then simply pare it back in the dish.

TOP TIP: Chipotle chilli adds a lovely smokiness to the soup. If you are taking the paste out altogether then I recommend adding some smoked paprika to the pan, along with the peppers and courgette, to add the smokiness back into the soup.

Serving suggestions

A great lunch or light dinner option, serve on it’s own or with a side of crusty bread.

I like to add a squeeze of lime into the soup. As well as adding a lovely freshness to the soup, the sour lime to balance the sweetness of the vegetables and the spice from the chipotle chilli paste.

However, if serving to a larger group, I don’t add the lime to the soup. Instead I cut up some wedges of lime and place them in a bowl on the table. That way everyone can add lime to their own taste, or leave it out altogether if they would prefer.

Useful hints and tips

1. Courgette contains a lot of water so I prefer to remove the soft core from the very centre of the courgette (I find it goes soggy) before cooking, leaving you with the firm white flesh and skin. This step is entirely optional and you can add it in if you prefer.
2. Use a gluten free vegetable stock and this soup is suitable for gluten free diners.
3. Containing no dairy this side dish is suitable for dairy free and vegan diners.
4. Allergy advice: gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soya free and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

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Additional recipe suggestions

If you like this simple soup then try some of my favourite vegetable based soup recipes:

Vegan Soup

• Broccoli Courgette Soup
• Vegetable Barley Broth
• Tomato & Basil Soup
• Vegetable & Chickpea Soup

Vegetarian Soup

• Courgette & Pepper Soup
• Potato & Leek Soup with Chickpeas
• Jerusalem Artichoke Soup
• Creamy Parsnip Soup

For some great hints and tips on how to make a great bowl of soup, have a read of my 20 Simple Soup Recipes post. This features some delicious soup recipes for you to try!