Sometimes the best trick is the sheer power of time. Let your soup simmer uncovered for an extra 20 minutes. The water evaporates, and the beans get softer, releasing more natural starch. It’s like the soup is on a lazy spa day, just getting denser and more flavorful without you doing a thing.
Check on it, stir it once, and let it bubble away. You’ll notice it goes from “soupy” to “stew-like” almost magically. This is the “set it and forget it” method, which is perfect for people who get distracted by scrolling through their phone or watching a 90s sitcom rerun. The soup does the heavy lifting while you do nothing.
