Description
This Fiesta Quinoa Soup is a hearty, nutritious, and flavor-packed dish loaded with vegetables, beans, and spices. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal, it’s easy to make and great for meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, sliced (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (25 oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Sliced avocado (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper with salt and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Reduce heat and add garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add jalapeño if using and cook 1 minute more.
- Add tomatoes and scrape the bottom of the pot.
- Add black beans, broth, water, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
- Stir in cooked quinoa and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning, remove bay leaf, and serve with cilantro and avocado.
Notes
- Cook quinoa separately to prevent soup from thickening too much.
- Adjust spice level by adding or omitting chili peppers.
- Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Use clean, additive-free spices for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Mexican