1/2 lb Bacon, chopped - Omit for vegetarian
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 large White Onion, diced
1 cup Celery, diced
2 large Carrots, diced
2 Poblano Chile Peppers, 1 inch dice (or 1 - 7 oz can of diced green chiles)
6 Garlic Cloves, pressed or finely minced
(1) 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes, with juice
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Cumin
2 tsp Mexican Oregano (or regular)
1/2 tsp Thyme, dried
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (1/4 tsp for less spicy)
1 tsp Kosher Salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt)
1/4 tsp Pepper
6 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth, low sodium
1 1/2 cups Dry Black Beans** rinsed (or canned 3 - 15 oz cans)
1 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
Garnish (Any or all of these)
Fresh Cilantro
Sour Cream
Avocado
Hot Sauce
Cooked Rice (pour soup over rice)
Corn Tortillas
Turn pot to Sauté setting and cook the bacon until done, but not crisp.
Add the olive oil and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add celery, carrots, chile peppers, and garlic. Stir, cooking for a minute.
Add the diced tomatoes, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper. Stir.
Add broth, black beans. Stir, then put the lid on the Instant Pot. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
Pressure Cook for 40 minutes on * High Pressure. If you use canned beans, rinse them first, and reduce the cook time to 6 minutes, with a 15 minute natural release.
When the cook cycle has ended, let the pot naturally release the steam for 20 minutes. Then manually release the remaining steam.
Stir the soup, and test the beans for doneness (sometimes old beans need a few minutes longer, in which case just put the lid back on and set for 10 minutes more, and 15 natural release. I have never had to do this, but just in case).
Taste and adjust salt if needed. The bacon adds a bit of salt, plus the 1/2 tsp you put in, but you might like more.
Stir in the lime juice.
Garnish as desired and serve.
*Cook time does not include time for pot to come to pressure, or the 20 minute natural release. The time to pressure can vary, but if your contents are hot, it will come to pressure quicker. A large quantity also takes a little longer.
Calories: 247 kcal