So as I start this one out, I’m going to preface it with…this is not going to be a $5 Dinner. Why not?!
Let’s just say that the pound of chorizo sausage alone cost almost $5. It’s an all natural, homemade chorizo sausage that I got earlier this summer at the farmer’s market. It’s been waiting in the freezer…for this recipe!
Here’s the deal. Here’s how to put the $5 spin on it.
Because the protein was so expensive…use it in a meal with other inexpensive ingredients…as to keep the overall cost of the meal from going through the roof. (Which for me is $10.)
And…this soup would have served 6-8 adults.
I think another stop at the farmer’s market for more of this $5/lb. chorizo might be in order.
A lovely balance of flavors, colors and textures. Lovely.
Chorizo Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried black beans ($.99)
- 1 lb. chorizo sausage ($4.95)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped ($.30)
- 1 green pepper, chopped ($.20) (See my amazing green pepper deal!)
- 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes ($.19)
- 1 cup chicken broth, homemade is free!
- 1 tsp ground cumin ($.05)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 Broccoli heads ($.79)
- Bread Slices, reduced for quick sale ($.25)
Directions
- Soak the black beans overnight, or for 2 hours in hot water. Drain, rinse and then add to a pot of water that covers the beans by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 1.5 hours.
- After the beans have been cooking for about an hour, brown the chorizo sausage with the chopped onion and chopped green pepper. As the beans finish cooking, add the chorizo sausage with veggies, 1 cup chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and ground cumin. Let simmer, uncovered, until beans have completely cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Steam broccoli.
- Prepare bread slices. Make rice for GF meal.
- Serve Chorizo Black Bean Soup with Broccoli and Bread.
Cost $7.72
This recipe is featured on SouthernPlate.com’s Meal Plan Monday #12.
Michelle (What's Cooking) says
Love this photo, Erin! Sounds really delicious too!
Kathy says
That looks so good! And if my opinion matters, if it makes two meals then you get to divide the cost. So, I’m thinking that was a $3.86 meal and the leftovers will be great over rice or in tortillas for another meal. ;D
janet says
If you take the meat out completely and add more veggies, then the cost really goes down. Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and it now is a vegetarian meal!!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
Your totally forgiven for this not costing $5. Still, very inexpensive meal and I’ll bet it tasted wonderful!!
Christie says
With just normal chorizo this would definitely be under $5, so I’d say it counts!
Jennifer Reed says
This looks really good- I have been looking for more ways to use chorizo! It will be an under 5 for me- they have fresh chorizo in the meat department of my grocery store and it is always under 3 dollars a pound- usually around 2.49!
Tracy says
I will have to try this! Also, if you want a vegetarian version with similar taste, Trader Joe’s has a soy chorizo that is very tasty and sells for somewhere between $2 and $3.
Andrew @ Money Crashers says
Wow, this is an awesome recipe. I love chorizo and this is such a healthy way of using it. Great stuff!
Alta says
You are forgiven! Besides, you used the chorizo in an otherwise frugal meal, and you helped your local farmers, and I bet it was really delicious!
Kimberly says
Sounds delish for a snowy day like today! Just curious–I want to use canned black beans–no time to soak–how many cans should I use? Also, did you serve a side dish with this or do you have a bread to recommend to serve with this?
Thank you!
Katie says
Kimberly,
She recommends serving the soup with broccoli and bread slices. If you were to use canned beans, I’d use 2-3 cans, as a pound of dry makes about that much.
Stephanie B says
I did this with sweet italian sausage because I couldn’t find chorizo. It was delicious. I will be making this again (and soon)!
Jen says
You list a can of diced tomatoes in the ingredients but don’t say anything about them in the directions. When is it added and is it drained first or not?
Jenn K says
Thanks for catching that! I’ve updated the recipe accordingly. 🙂
t says
I made this using fire roasted tomatoes….even more flavor!