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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Creamy Pinto Bean and Tomato Soup

4 to 6 Servings

35 minutes

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According to Mexican food authority Diana Kennedy, there are two types of sopa Tarasca, or Tarascan soup, from the state of Michoacán in central Mexico. One is tortilla-based, the other a bean puree. The latter inspired this satisfying pantry-centric soup that can be on the table in under 45 minutes. Fire-roasted tomatoes add a subtle smokiness and the lime juice stirred in at the end adds brightness. Finish the smooth, velvety soup with a garnish or two to add contrasting colors, flavors and textures; see below for suggestions.

4 to 6

Servings

35 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½

    medium white OR yellow onion, halved

  • 3

    medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

Directions

Reviews
JENNIFER B.
February 27, 2026
kind of bland
agree with other reviewers, kind of bland, even when i poured in super hot hot sauce.
TRACEY T.
February 21, 2026
Creamy without dairy! Needs more seasoning IMO
Deliciously comforting and so so easy! Would be a great recipe for a child cook (with supervision of course). I’m sensitive to the acids in tomatoes and the beans totally mellowed them out while still giving that “tomato soup comfort” that I love! I started with extra garlic and onion because another reviewer said it was bland. I still found myself back in my spice drawer adding more oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper. I live in coastal Southern California and we have a plethora of Mexican food so we like our spices! WHEN I make this again, I’ll take the time to toast my spices to see if that opens up the flavor. Overall great easy pantry friendly (and budget friendly!) recipe!
DEBBIE S.
February 12, 2026
Quick with kick
This was quick and delicious. I used chipotle chili powder and it had a nice kick to it.
Justin F.
February 26, 2024
Quick, but mid on flavor
This recipe is a little too simple and basic? Came together quick, but lacked on flavor. Even more chili pepper and toppings really didn’t bring this up. Maybe be a little heavier on the seasoning, or maybe try something else.
Vickie S.
February 26, 2026
Spot on
I loved this recipe! Extremely quick, delicious & easy. I think maybe different fired roasted tomatoes have more great than others. Mine included chilies which may have made the difference. I will say that the evening I made it a Latino cement company was laying a concrete walkway for us. They had worked late and I gave them each a mug and they all raved about it!

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