Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

Amounts as written, for the 8 servings the recipe makes

• 1 lb. dry black beans (soaked, drained, and rinsed (see notes))
• 1 bell pepper (any color, seeded and diced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 ribs celery (finely chopped, plus the leaves if available)
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 jalapeño pepper (ribs and seeds removed, finely diced)
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon (cut into small pieces)
• 4 cups chicken stock/broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more if needed)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (plus more if needed)
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• juice of one lime
• crumbled cotija cheese, sliced avocado, sour cream, chopped red or green onions, hot sauce, or other fixings

About $1.33 a serving for the ingredients used, at today's Walmart prices.