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Vegetarian Research

Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup

My Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup is easy to make and requires only a few main ingredients. Make a big pot and enjoy this soup for lunch or dinner during the busy week. Garnish this hearty vegan soup with your favorite toppings and serve with bread or chips.

bowl of creamy pinto bean pumpkin soup garnished with avocado, pepitas and fresh cilantro

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pumpkin Soup

  • Mexican-inspired – This pinto bean and pumpkin soup is flavored with warm Mexican-inspired spices, like cumin and smoked paprika. Green chile, which is more New Mexico-inspired, is blended into the soup and complements the other flavors well.
  • Perfect for fall – Pumpkin soup is the epitome of fall comfort food and adding pinto beans makes it even heartier. Enjoy with freshly baked bread for a perfect autumn meal.  
  • Easy to make – Most soups, this one included, are great because they’re made in one pot. I do like to blend my soup in a blender, but if you rinse the blender right after use, it should be easy to clean!

Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup Recipe Ingredients

  • Mirepiox – The base of this soup is a traditional mirepiox with diced onion, celery and carrot. I also added a few cloves of minced garlic for extra flavor.  
  • Pinto Beans – I waffled about using pinto or black beans but eventually went with pinto beans because they have a milder flavor than black. That allows the pumpkin flavor to stand out more. You can use any kind of beans you like, though.
  • Pumpkin – I used canned pumpkin puree that I bought at the grocery store.  Homemade puree can also be used. Sweet potato or another squash puree can be substituted if needed.
  • Canned Tomatoes – You can use fresh tomatoes if you like, but I always have canned tomatoes on hand, so they were easy to use. I prefer the petite diced tomatoes. They usually come in a few different flavor options, which can be nice for adding extra flavor.
  • Green Chile – I used one small can of diced green chile. I love its taste, and I live in the land of green chile (New Mexico), so I love adding it to my recipes when I can.
  • Spices – This soup contains a handful of different spices, but if you have a fully stocked spice rack, it shouldn’t be a problem.
  • Broth I like to use a vegetable broth concentrate that I mix with water.  It’s cost-effective and lasts a long time in the refrigerator. Use your favorite vegetable broth in this soup recipe.

How To Make Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup

  1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil, diced onion, celery, and carrot. Add a pinch of salt, give everything a good stir, and let the veggies cook until softened, 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, stir, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add all of the spices, mix well, and let the vegetables cook with the spices for about 30 seconds. Add the pinto beans, green chile, diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree. Mix everything together well and let everything cook together for 2-3 minutes, until bubbling. Pour in the vegetable broth, mix together, and allow the soup to come to a simmer.
  3. If you prefer a chunky soup, it can be eaten just like that. I happen to love creamy soup, so I blended mine up in a blender. Use a big ladle to carefully transfer the soup from the pot to the blender or food processor.  You may want to do this in two batches. Blend soup until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour the soup back into the pot, warm it to the desired temperature, and enjoy it with your favorite garnishes. I like to serve it with avocado, cilantro, pepitas, and corn chips.  

big pot of creamy pumpkin soup with pinto beans

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • This pumpkin soup recipe is already both gluten-free and vegan.
  • Is this pinto bean soup spicy?  You can make it as spicy as you like.  I added hot green chile, which gave my soup a kick, but mild chile can also be used.
  • Can this soup be frozen? Yes. Allow the soup to cool completely and then place it in a freezer-friendly container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or in a soup pot.
  • How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, they should last about 4-5 days.
  • Can black beans be used? Yes, you can easily swap out black beans for pinto beans.  

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP.

close up of a bowl of Mexican inspired pinto bean and pumpkin soup

Looking For More Cozy Vegetarian Soup Recipes?

Quick and Easy Vegetarian Lentil Soup

Smoky Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Veggie Packed Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup

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Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup


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No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    45 minutes


  • Yield:
    4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

My Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup is easy to make and requires on a few main ingredients. Make a big pot and enjoy this soup during the busy week, for lunch or for dinner. Garnish this hearty vegan soup with your favorite toppings and serve with bread or chips.


Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced carrot
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, with most of the liquid drained out
  • 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chile (whatever degree of heat you like)
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups vegetable broth*
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste



Instructions

  1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add in the olive oil, diced onion, celery and carrot.  Throw in a pinch of salt, give everything a good stir and let veggies cook until softened, 5-7 minutes.  Add in minced garlic, stir, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add in all of the spices, mix well and let vegetables cook with the spices for about 30 seconds.  Add in the pinto beans, green chile, diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree.  Mix everything together well and let everything cook together for 2-3 minutes, until bubbling.  Pour in the vegetable broth, mix together and allow the soup the come to a simmer.
  3. If you prefer a chunky soup, it can be eaten just like that.  I happen to love creamy soup so I blended mine up in a blender.  Use a big ladle to carefully transfer the soup from the pot to the blender, or food processor.  You may want to do this in two batches.  Blend soup until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour soup back into the pot, warm to desired temperature and enjoy with your favorite garnishes.  I like to serve with avocado, cilantro, pepitas and corn chips.

Notes

I don’t like my soup to be too brothy, so I just added two cups of broth.  You can add extra if you prefer though.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican Inspired

The post Creamy Pinto Bean Pumpkin Soup appeared first on She Likes Food.

Vegetarian Research

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing, and super versatile! Enjoy it as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and requires just a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics and cold winter afternoons.

cilantro lime cabbage salad in a serving bowl

I know coleslaw is typically a dish served in the summertime, but cabbage and limes are in season this month! I’m calling this recipe a Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad, although it’s similar to a slaw. This zesty winter salad will brighten up any meal you add it to. It’s great by itself as a snack or side dish and can also be enjoyed as a topping for all your Mexican-inspired meals.

Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Cabbage Salad Recipe

  • It’s easy to make – The dressing comes together quickly in the blender, and if you have a food processor or mandolin, the cabbage can also be shredded quickly. I like to let my salad sit for a bit in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to develop, but you can also enjoy it right away.
  • It’s flavorful and refreshing – Cabbage is already cool and refreshing, but adding the cilantro and lime flavors takes it to the next level. I enjoy this salad anytime, but it’s especially great for a summer BBQ.
  • It’s versatile – This cabbage salad is similar to a slaw and can be used similarly. I enjoy this salad as a side dish, but I also like to eat it on tacos or with beans and rice. It adds a cool and refreshing bite to everything you add it to.

showing how to make the cilantro lime dressing in a blender

Why Your Body Will Love This Recipe

  • Reduced Inflammation – Cabbage is high in antioxidants, which are substances that can help delay or prevent cell damage. Antioxidants are important because they help reduce inflammation inside the body and improve the immune system. Excess inflammation in the body can be responsible for all kinds of sicknesses, including cancer and heart disease.
  • Digestive Health – Cabbage is in the Crusifers family, along with broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Some people are extra sensitive to these veggies and develop gas and bloating after eating them. However, they’re full of fiber, which really helps digestion run smoothly. Cabbage is also a low-calorie food, but a little goes a long way toward helping our bodies feel full for longer.
  • Diabetes Management – Please check with your doctor before adding cilantro to your diet if you have diabetes or low blood sugar levels.  Cilantro, or coriander, can help reduce blood sugar by stimulating an enzyme that removes sugar from the blood.

green cabbage shredded in a bowl

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • Cabbage – I used one medium-sized head of green cabbage for this recipe. I love cabbage because it’s crunchy and refreshing. You could also use purple or napa cabbage. Of course, if you go the purple route, it will change the look of this salad.
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing – This homemade dressing is packed full of flavor and takes no time to whip together. It uses cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, maple syrup, cumin and salt. If you don’t like cilantro, I suggest using parsley in its place.

mixing the cilantro lime dressing into the shredded cabbage

How To Make This Crunchy Cabbage Salad

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and peel off a few of the outer layers. Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and add it to a large bowl. You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin, or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well until the cabbage is completely coated with the dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well. You can enjoy salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to develop. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos, or with tortilla chips.

close up of a bowl of cilantro lime coleslaw

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • This recipe is already vegan and gluten-free.
  • Can I use a substitute in place of cilantro? Yes, if you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley instead.
  • What is the best type of cabbage for this recipe? I used green cabbage, which worked great, but you can also use napa or purple cabbage if you like.
  • How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.
  • How should this recipe be enjoyed? I like to eat this cabbage salad as a side dish or afternoon snack. You can also use it like you would any kind of slaw (tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more).

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will reply ASAP!

close up of this refreshing cilantro lime slaw in a serving bowl

Looking For More Hearty Cabbage Recipes?

Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu

Chickpea Salad with Cucumber and Cabbage

Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots

Asian Inspired Crunchy Cabbage Salad

Creamy Southwestern Chopped Cabbage Salad,

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Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    20 minutes


  • Yield:
    6-8
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing and super versatile! Enjoy as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and only requires a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics, as well as cold winter afternoons.


Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized head green cabbage, about 68 cups once shredded

Cilantro Lime Dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2 cup packed cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper



Instructions

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and then peel a few of the outer layers off.  Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and then add to a large bowl.  You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute.  Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well, until cabbage is completely coated with dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well.  You can enjoy salad immediately, or store in the refrigerator for a couple hours to allow the flavors to develop.  Store in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, for 4-5 days.  Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos or enjoy with tortilla chips.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Category: Side, Vegan
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

The post Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad appeared first on She Likes Food.

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