Spanish Bean Soup (Garbanzo Bean Soup) takes you on a trip to Tampa Bay, where Cuban heritage is so alive & full of flavor. This simple soup is made with garbanzo beans, potatoes & savory sausage and is just bursting with deliciousness!
2cupswater(or as needed as liquid cooks down in soup, you can also substitute with chicken broth)
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
Rinse beans, cover with water, and add salt. Soak overnight. Drain the beans. *See note for my original recipe that uses the liquid.If you forget this step, bring the beans to a boil on the stovetop and reduce to a high simmer for 1/2 hour.
1 lb bag of dried garbanzo beans, 3 cups water, 1 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Stovetop Instructions
To a dutch oven or large soup pot, add beans, cubed potatoes, chicken broth or stock, sausage, garlic powder (or minced garlic), pepper, and Vigo flavoring packets. Stir to combine.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4- 5 hours.
Add water (or more broth) as needed as the liquid is absorbed.
2 cups water
Notes
Taste as You Cook: About an hour before the soup is done, take a moment to taste it and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt, pepper, or garlic if needed to suit your taste. Remember, the type of broth you use will impact how much salt is necessary, so adjust to your taste!
Keep an Eye on the Liquid: Whether you’re cooking on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, the beans will soak up liquid as they cook. Keep extra water or broth handy to add if needed.
For a Thicker Consistency: As the soup simmers, the beans and potatoes naturally break down, giving it a thicker, heartier texture. For even more creaminess, just scoop out a portion of the beans, mash them, and stir them back into the pot.
Leftovers Are Even Better: Like most soups, the flavors deepen and meld overnight. Store any leftovers in the fridge for an even tastier meal the next day! The soup will thicken, so feel free to add more water or broth if you like.
* You may also use chorizo sausage for the more traditional recipe. (But this one gets rave reviews and is a family favorite, so I recommend trying it as is) ORIGINAL RECIPE NOTE: I have adapted the original recipe published. Originally, I used the liquid I used to soak the beans in the recipe (2-3 teaspoons of kosher salt). Now, I use more chicken broth instead. If you loved the original recipe, you could use the liquid and 32 ounces of chicken broth or stock, then add more water (or chicken broth) as needed to cover the beans (about 3-4 cups).