Quick and Creamy Spanish Garbanzo Bean Soup

This Spanish style Garbanzo bean soup is creamy and rich – without a lick of cream! Flavored with roasted peppers and smoked paprika, this easy vegan soup is ready in about 20 minutes thanks to a “secret ingredient”!

The BEST Bean Soup Recipe!

Soup is pretty much my “go-to” meal when I am pressed for time and/or haven’t really thought about dinner. With a few basics in the pantry and fridge I can always put together a pot of this Easy Lentil Soup or this warm and comforting Chicken and Leek Soup.

But this Spanish Garbanzo Bean Soup? This one is the clear winner in the “quick and easy” category hands down!

The “secret” to this chickpea soup is hummus! The ingredients in hummus (pureed garbanzo beans, tahini, and olive oil) make a perfect base for this creamy soup! I know some of you are thinking… “ugh… hummus in soup? no thanks”! But it works. Really!

Let’s put it this way.. if you love tomato or roasted red pepper soup, you are going to love this soup because that is exactly what it tastes like…creamy, rich with that lovely savoriness of tomatoes and peppers.

Wow. Fast, healthy, super easy to make and delicious! My daughters (13 & 17 year old foodies) loved it!!

ACT reader Andrea!

Garbanzo Bean Soup Ingredients:

• Plain Hummus – you can use storebought or homemade.
• Vegetable stock – I use Better than Bouillon but use whatever vegetable stock brand you like.
• Roasted Red Bell Peppers – I use Trader Joe’s brand but any brand will work.
• Sherry or red wine vinegar – Sherry vinegar is a staple in my kitchen – it’s warm, nutty flavor makes a delicious salad dressing and it’s amazing sprinkled over a tray of roasted vegetables!
• Smoked paprika – smoked paprika is used in both Spanish and Hungarian cuisine and both versions work beautifully in this soup!
• Tomato paste

How to make this Garbanzo Bean Soup:

This is why I think this is the best Garbanzo bean soup recipe – it’s sooo easy to make!

1. Combine all the ingredients except the stock in a blender or food processor.
2. Add the pureed ingredients to a soup pot or dutch oven and stir in the stock.
3. Heat over medium-high heat until heated through.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Garnish with a little smoked paprika and a drizzle of good olive oil (totally optional but soooo good!!)

Can you freeze garbanzo bean soup?

This soup freezes very well. You can freeze it before heating, or freeze any leftover soup you have. Let the soup cool and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave!

Garbanzo Soup Variations:

There are almost infinite ways to change up this soup – here are a few of my favorite variations!

• Mexican: – substitute fresh lime juice for the vinegar. Substitute fresh salsa for the red peppers. Replace the smoked paprika with chili powder.
• Spicy: Add a quarter teaspoon (or more!) to the recipe for a spicy kick!

What to serve with this soup!

This soup recipe is delicious on its own or as part of a meal! Try serving it with….

• Flatbreads – this easy, no yeast flatbreads take minutes to make!
• Moroccan Chicken – lemon and olives flavor this easy Chicken Tangine recipe.
• Chicken Contadina – tender chicken topped with a luscious white wine, garlic and herb sauce – a weeknight one-pan meal!
• Shrimp Louie – the classic shrimp salad makes for an epic “soup and salad” meal!

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would LOVE for you to give it a 5-star rating! Cheers! Nancy