Wholesome Porotos Granados Soup: A 1-Point Weight Watchers Chilean Delight

Porotos Granados Soup, often simply referred to as Porotos Granados in its native Chile, is a treasured culinary gem. This hearty and profoundly satisfying soup has nourished generations since colonial times, becoming an indispensable part of Chilean diets. What makes this particular adaptation truly special is its incredible health-conscious profile: many of its core ingredients are 0 Weight Watchers points, making it an ideal choice for those following the program or simply seeking nutritious, filling meals.

The star ingredient, the poroto granado, is a unique legume indigenous to South America. While not widely recognized internationally, its flavor and texture closely resemble that of white beans or navy beans, making it incredibly easy to substitute in recipes without compromising authenticity or taste. Beyond the beans, other essential components include vibrant yellow corn kernels and naturally sweet pumpkin. Traditionally, a hearty pork sausage called longaniza is also included. However, in our quest for a lighter, healthier version, we thoughtfully omit the longaniza, allowing us to craft a recipe that astonishingly comes in at barely 1 Weight Watchers point per serving.

This low-point count makes Porotos Granados Soup a versatile dish. It can be enjoyed as a robust appetizer, paving the way for a lean protein like chicken served alongside a fresh green salad. The result is a deliciously filling menu, exceptionally low in points, yet incredibly rich in fiber. Like all our carefully crafted recipes, it promises to keep you feeling full and satisfied, making healthy eating both enjoyable and effortless.

Why You Should Try This Sopa de Porotos Granados Recipe

Beyond its low Weight Watchers point value, there are countless reasons to add this Sopa de Porotos Granados to your meal rotation. This recipe delivers an unexpectedly delightful flavor profile, born from the harmonious combination of creamy white beans, sweet corn kernels, and tender, savory pumpkin. It’s a fusion of flavors that evokes both a sense of comforting nostalgia and an intriguing culinary adventure. The beauty of these ingredients is their accessibility; they are staples you likely already have in your pantry or can easily source from any local grocery store, making preparation simple and stress-free.

The addition of pumpkin, combined with the efficient cooking method in an Instant Pot, contributes significantly to the soup’s appeal. It results in a wonderfully creamy texture and a warm, inviting yellow hue that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The carbohydrates from the pumpkin are beneficial, boasting a very low glycemic index, which helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. Furthermore, this soup is exceptionally rich in dietary fiber, a crucial element for digestive health and satiety. This high fiber content is key to feeling satisfied and full for longer, helping you manage your hunger effectively while staying within your Weight Watchers goals. It’s truly a delicious way to enjoy a substantial meal without consuming many points.

Recipe Details

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

Serving size: Approximately 400 g.

Ingredients for Porotos Granados Soup

• 1 ½ cups cooked navy beans (390 g) – *(Can use canned, rinsed and drained, or freshly cooked dried beans)*
• 1 cup yellow corn kernels (160 g) – *fresh, frozen, or canned*
• 2 cups diced pumpkin (300 g) – *butternut squash or kabocha squash also work well*
• 1 cup diced white onions (150 g)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt – *adjust to taste*
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth (1440 ml) – *low sodium preferred for health*
• Optional: Fresh cilantro for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode. Once the pot is hot, add the olive oil. Then, introduce the diced white onions and minced garlic. Sauté them gently, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, fragrant, and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for developing the foundational flavors of the soup.
2. Add Spices: After the onions and garlic have softened beautifully, it’s time to add the aromatic spices. Incorporate the salt, cumin, paprika, and oregano into the pot. Stir these spices thoroughly into the onion mixture and cook for an additional minute. This brief cooking time allows the spices to “bloom” in the hot oil, releasing their full, vibrant flavors and aromas.



3. Combine Main Ingredients: Now, add the cooked navy beans, diced pumpkin, and yellow corn kernels to the Instant Pot. Stir all the ingredients together well, ensuring that the beans, pumpkin, and corn are evenly coated with the savory onion and spice mixture. This helps distribute the flavors throughout the soup.



4. Pour in Broth: Carefully pour the vegetable or chicken broth into the pot. Give everything a good stir one last time to ensure all ingredients are submerged and well combined.
5. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot, making sure it’s properly sealed. Set the steam release valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. This pressure cooking time allows the pumpkin to become wonderfully tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
6. Natural Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, resist the urge to immediately open the pot. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This natural release method helps prevent frothing and ensures a safer opening. After 10 minutes, carefully perform a quick release by turning the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
7. Adjust Seasoning: Carefully remove the lid. Give the soup a gentle stir and taste it. At this point, adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, cumin, or other spices to suit your personal preference.



8. Serve: Once your healthy Porotos Granados Soup is perfected to your taste, ladle it generously into bowls and serve hot. For an extra touch of freshness and flavor, consider garnishing each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro just before serving. Enjoy this comforting and nutritious Weight Watchers-friendly meal!

Variations and Substitutions to Customize Your Soup

One of the beauties of Porotos Granados Soup is its adaptability. Feel free to get creative with these variations and substitutions:

• Bean Base Options: While this soup traditionally features “porotos granados” (a type of white bean), you have plenty of alternatives. Navy beans are an excellent and common substitute. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with other legumes like cannellini beans, great northern beans, lentils, or even chickpeas for a different texture and flavor profile. Each will bring its own unique character to the dish.
• Adding Lean Protein: For those looking to transform this soup into a complete one-pot meal, adding a lean protein source is simple. Cubes of pre-cooked roasted chicken breast can be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking to warm through. Alternatively, consider adding ground turkey or lean ground beef, sautéing it with the onions and garlic at the beginning for a more integrated flavor. For a plant-based protein boost, crumbled tempeh or extra firm tofu can also be added.
• Enhancing with Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs can elevate the soup’s aroma and taste considerably. Stir in a generous handful of fresh cilantro or finely chopped parsley just before serving. These herbs add a bright, herbaceous note that beautifully complements the earthy flavors of the beans and pumpkin. For a subtle hint of mint, common in some Chilean stews, a few chopped fresh mint leaves can also be a delightful addition.
• Vegetable Additions: Consider adding other vegetables like diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers along with the onions for more complexity and nutrients. A handful of fresh spinach or kale stirred in at the end will wilt quickly and add a boost of greens.
• Spice Adjustments: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can be added to the pot with the other spices. For a deeper, smoky flavor, a touch of smoked paprika can be used.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Porotos Granados Soup

To ensure your Porotos Granados Soup turns out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Maximize Flavor with the Sauté Function: Never skip the initial sautéing step in your Instant Pot. Utilizing the sauté function to brown the onions and lightly cook the pumpkin before pressure cooking is crucial. This caramelization process adds a delightful depth and a subtle smoky flavor to your soup that simply boiling would not achieve. It layers the flavors, making the final dish much more robust and appealing.
• Achieve Creamier Texture with Extended Cooking: If you prefer an even creamier, more velvety soup, you can extend the cooking time. After the initial pressure cooking and natural release, if the pumpkin isn’t as mashed as you’d like, you can cook the soup for an additional 20 minutes using the “Sauté” mode on low, stirring occasionally and gently mashing some of the pumpkin against the side of the pot with a spoon or potato masher. Alternatively, for a truly smooth consistency, carefully use an immersion blender to partially blend a portion of the soup directly in the pot.
• Convenience with Canned Navy Beans: For those busy weeknights when time is of the essence, canned navy beans are a fantastic shortcut. Ensure you rinse and drain them thoroughly before adding them to the pot to remove excess sodium and improve their texture. However, if you have the time and prefer to cook dried beans from scratch, soaking them overnight and then simmering them slowly over low heat until tender will yield a superior, nuttier flavor and texture.
• The Importance of High-Quality Broth: The quality of your broth can profoundly impact the overall taste of your Porotos Granados Soup. A good quality vegetable or chicken broth provides a rich and savory base that enhances all the other ingredients. While chicken broth is often my personal preference for its robust flavor, a flavorful vegetable broth makes this recipe entirely vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Opt for low-sodium options to better control the final saltiness of your dish.
• Don’t Forget the Fresh Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro not only adds a pop of color but also a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the entire dish. It’s a simple touch that makes a big difference.

By following these simple tips and embracing the rich culinary tradition of Porotos Granados Soup, you’ll be well on your way to treating yourself to a truly flavorful, satisfying, and incredibly healthy meal. This dish is perfectly suited for your Weight Watchers journey, allowing you to enjoy the comforting warmth and nourishment of a classic Chilean favorite while confidently staying on track with your health and wellness goals. Dig in and savor every spoonful!

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown

This recipe is designed to be incredibly low in Weight Watchers points, primarily due to the naturally low-point values of its wholesome ingredients:

• Canned navy beans: 0 points
• Ground cumin: 0 points
• Libby’s Whole kernel sweet corn: 0 points
• Olive oil: 0 points (when using 1 tsp or less per serving, as per WW guidelines)
• Paprika: 0 points
• Uncooked pumpkin (sugar or sweet pumpkin): 0 points
• Dried oregano: 0 points
• Onion: 0 points
• Chicken broth (low sodium): 0 points
• Garlic (3 cloves): 0 points
• Table salt: 0 points

This careful selection ensures each generous serving of this delicious soup remains at a remarkable 1 Weight Watchers point, making it a guilt-free pleasure.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Please note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Exact values may vary based on specific brands and ingredient preparations.

• Serving Size: 412g
• Calories: 209 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 9.5g
• Fat: 2.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2g
• Sodium: 1469mg
• Potassium: 478mg
• Fiber: 7.8g
• Sugar: 3.7g
• Calcium: 49mg
• Iron: 2.6mg

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