A traditional Honduran dish — sopa de frijoles is the humble, soulful bean soup that warms Honduran kitchens: red beans simmered long and slow with pork or chorizo, then brightened with chayote, ripe plantain, and a shower of culantro. Served with rice, avocado, and a swirl of crema, it is peasant food raised to poetry.
Sopa de Frijoles Hondureña
A traditional Honduran dish — sopa de frijoles is the humble, soulful bean soup that warms Honduran kitchens: red beans simmered long and slow with pork or chorizo, then brightened with chayote, ripe plantain, and a shower of culantro.

Step by stepInstructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a large pot with the water, the pork or chorizo, half the onion, and half the garlic
- Simmer gently for about one and a half hours, until the beans are soft and creamy, skimming as needed
- In a skillet, cook the remaining onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the oil, then add the tomatoes and cook into a thick sauce
- Stir the sofrito into the bean pot and simmer for ten minutes
- Add the chayote and plantain and cook until tender, about fifteen minutes
- Season with salt and pepper, stir in the culantro, and serve hot with rice, avocado, and a spoonful of crema
💡 Chef tips & storage
Do not add salt to the beans until they are tender, or the skins toughen. On the north coast, a splash of coconut milk in the last minutes is a delicious regional twist.

Join the conversation
Only members can comment — it takes a few seconds to create a free account.
Log in Create an account