Sopa de Frijoles

Sopa de Frijoles

Sopa de Frijoles (SOH-pah deh free-HOH-les)

Honduran Bean Soup

Prep Time 1 hour 30 min
📈 Difficulty Medium
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 448 kcal

A hearty red bean soup with chunks of smoked beef ribs, green plantain, eggs, and fresh cheese, seasoned with cumin and cilantro.

Nutrition & Info

440 kcal per serving
Protein 28.0g
Carbs 48.0g
Fat 16.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

large soup pot wooden spoon ladle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: fresh cilantro, cubed queso fresco

Accompaniments: corn tortillas, hot sauce

Instructions

  1. 1

    Drain soaked beans and place in a large pot with smoked beef ribs and enough water to cover by three inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender, about one hour.

  2. 2

    Saute onion and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add to the bean pot along with cumin, salt, and pepper.

  3. 3

    Add sliced green plantain to the soup and cook until tender, about fifteen minutes.

  4. 4

    Crack eggs directly into the simmering soup, spacing them apart. Cover and cook until eggs are set, about five minutes.

  5. 5

    Ladle soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a piece of plantain, an egg, and some meat. Top with cubed queso fresco and fresh cilantro.

💡

Did You Know?

In Honduras, this soup is considered so nourishing that it is traditionally given to new mothers and anyone recovering from illness.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • large soup pot
  • wooden spoon
  • ladle

Garnishing

fresh cilantro, cubed queso fresco

Accompaniments

corn tortillas, hot sauce

The Story Behind Sopa de Frijoles

Sopa de frijoles is one of the most important soups in Honduran cuisine, combining the country's staple legume with protein and vegetables into a complete meal. Red beans have been cultivated in Honduras since pre-Columbian times and remain the primary source of protein for many families. The addition of smoked meat reflects colonial-era preservation techniques, while the custom of poaching eggs directly in the soup shows the resourceful approach to maximizing nutrition in a single pot.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed midday meal, especially saturdays 📜 Origins: Colonial Honduran

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