Goya Black Bean Soup Review

Black beans are perhaps the most concentrated source of healthful dietary fiber that occur naturally, and this canned Goya Black Bean Soup contains practically all black beans, with some added, appetizing vegetable flavors for good measure.  While not completely UN-processed, its high fiber and complex carbs makes for a mostly healthful legume-based treat that’s as harmonious with cold weather as hot chocolate.  Black bean soup is the bomb.  Since the contents have already been cooked and are ready to eat, except for heating, you can spoon them right out of the can in a pinch. Though not warned up in this scenario, the taste is still not bad, and just as filling besides. Many cheeses and seasonings go well here, and the mild black bean flavor makes combining this with more flavorful foods a low-rick recipe proposition.  It goes well with many vegetables and spice combinations; quite the hospitable and healthful ingredient.  Over time, they can reduce cravings for sweet carbohydrates.  They still contain many carbs, but most of these are of the very complex variety, and so, tend to stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels.

Picture of the front of a 15-ounce can of Goya Black Bean Soup.
Goya Black Bean Soup, 15-Ounce Can

Benefits & Features

  • Pull top lid.
  • No ham, or meat of any kind herein. But adding a complimentary protein food to this, like rice, makes it just as filling as it would be if cured pork was included.
  • Lots of fiber, at 5 grams per serving; there are three servings in a 15 ounce can.
  • The black beans have been left whole herein; not mashed or pulverized as they are in other popular brands.
  • Almost all natural ingredients except for the MSG and sugar.
  • Contains no cholesterol, and is low in fat; especially saturated fats.
  • Already cooked.  Just heat and serve.  Convenient.
  • Very thick in consistency.  Definitely way more beans in this recipe than liquid.
  • However, there’s enough water within to eliminate any dry tastes or textures so long as the included heating instructions are followed.
  • Vinegar is quite weak.  We do not smell it at all herein.

Disadvantages

  • A bit salty tasting.
  • Can’t taste the onions very well. The onions we’d prefer to be more prominent in the overall taste of this soup.  Diced onions too, would work far better than the powdered, dried ones herein, most of which settle on the inside of the can.
  • Hard to locate in stores.  Store coverage of Goya soups is spotty in our region.
  • Not much different than Goya’s plain canned black beans, except that this SOUP, has miniscule amounts of added vinegar, powdered onions, and bell peppers.  It may have been an add-on afterthought to their black bean product.
Picture of the back of a 15-ounce can of Goya Black Bean Soup, that shows the nutrition facts and ingredients list.
Goya Black Bean Soup

Preparation Instructions

Pour the soup into a pan, and warm it over the medium setting. Stir frequently until heated through.  Takes roughly five minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Add diced onions, a dab of cream cheese or sour cream, or a handful of sharp or mild cheddar cheese.  Try a couple strips of crumbled up bacon, or a cup of mild salsa.  Rice or other cooked grains add heartiness and flavor as well, though this product is plenty hearty enough, and  makes an excellent soup base for more elaborate soup concoctions.  If you’ve got some loose corn or carrots around, add a few bits.  It’s delicious.  You can also add a bit of instant oats prior to heating to get even more soluble fiber.  For a creamy taste and texture, try combining the soup with a bit of Greek yogurt or heavy whipping cream.

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories per serving: 120.
  • Servings per can: About 3.
  • Calories from fat: 20.
  • Total fat: 2.5 grams, 4% DV.
  • Saturated fat: 0 grams, 0% DV.
  • Trans fat: 0 grams.
  • Cholesterol: 0 grams, 0% DV.
  • Sodium: 460 milligrams, 19% DV.
  • Total carbohydrate: 19 grams, 6% DV.
  • Dietary fiber: 5 grams, 20% DV.
  • Sugars: 1 gram,
  • Protein: 7 grams.
  • Vitamin A: 0% DV.
  • Calcium: 4% DV.
  • Vitamin C: 0% DV.
  • Iron: 8% DV.

Ingredients

Water, black beans, vinegar, soy bean oil, salt, olive oil, dehydrated onion, bell peppers, garlic, monosodium glutamate, spices, and sugar.

As Compared With Other Black Bean Soups

To date, our favorite (the BEST) black bean soup is   Amy’s Black Bean and Vegetable Soup.  But this soup seems to have more beans and less liquid than Amy’s, although Amy’s contains no MSG or added sugar, is organic, and has more generous portions of whole vegetables.  The Goya soup is cheaper than Amy’s, and when we cannot find Amy’s, Goya makes a great stand-in.

Our Rating

Cons: Too much salt, contains MSG, and it’s difficult to find. Several stores stopped carrying this product around here over the past few years.  And, when you do find it, it’s often not kept with the other brands of soup in stores.  Goya canned and bagged products are typically displayed together, in their own sections at the grocer.  So you typically find all the other soups, and then you might come across the Goya ones, if you’re lucky.  What a pain.  But, the pros: Very filling, although you have to eat more than the recommended single serving size (5 ounces), to get full.  This soup is affordable at less than $2 per can, and at least, it’s easy to spot once you locate the Goya shelves. Given these minuses and plusses, we rate this Goya soup at 85 out of 100 overall. Goya has definitely brought home a decent rendition of this traditional favorite dish from Cuba and Latin America.  With a little doctoring, it’s really quite good.

Where to Buy Goya Black Bean Soup

Look for the fire-red can in the Goya section at your favorite larger grocery store or online food shop. Goya bean soups are available at some Wal Mart, Target, and Giant stores.  Online, Amazon and Walmart sell them too.

References