Honduran Sopa de Frijoles (Bean Soup)
Sopa de frijoles is the humble, hearty bean soup that warms Honduran kitchens on an everyday basis. Built on the country's beloved red beans, it turns a pantry staple into a comforting, nourishing bowl.
The beans are simmered until soft with onion, garlic and sweet pepper, then often enriched with pieces of green plantain, yuca or a spoon of cream. In many homes the soup is finished with a poached or hard-boiled egg dropped right into the pot, along with fresh cheese crumbled on top.
Like mondongo and sopa de caracol, it belongs to Honduras' comforting world of soups, served hot with warm tortillas for dipping.
Red beans are also the heart of the baleada, so a pot of well-seasoned beans does double duty in the Honduran kitchen. Season the soup generously and let it simmer slowly for the deepest flavor.
Honduran Sopa de Frijoles Recipe
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 2 h · Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried red beans, soaked overnight
- 8 cups water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 sweet pepper, chopped
- 1 green plantain, sliced (optional)
- 4 eggs (optional)
- Fresh cheese, crumbled, to serve
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and simmer them in the water until tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Add the onion, garlic and sweet pepper and cook 15 minutes more.
- Add the plantain slices, if using, and simmer until soft.
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the beans against the pot.
- Poach the eggs directly in the simmering soup, if desired, until set.
- Season well and serve hot, topped with crumbled cheese and warm tortillas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sopa de frijoles?
Sopa de frijoles is a Honduran red bean soup, simmered with onion, garlic and sweet pepper and often finished with a poached egg, plantain and fresh cheese.
What beans are used?
Small red beans, the same variety used for refried beans and baleadas, are traditional. They cook down into a rich, hearty soup.
What is added to Honduran bean soup?
Common additions include green plantain or yuca, a poached or hard-boiled egg, a spoon of cream and crumbled fresh cheese, served with tortillas.
Is sopa de frijoles vegetarian?
It can be. Made with just beans and vegetables it is vegetarian; some cooks add pork or bacon for extra flavor, so check how it is prepared.