Tortilla Soup Recipe
Overview
Tortilla Soup is a hearty Mexican-inspired dish that’s perfect for winter nights. This recipe, adapted from Cooking Light magazine, is easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. You can even freeze it in smaller portions for later, making it a convenient option for busy days.
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Calories per serving: 349
- Dietary Information: Low carb, high protein
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Onion |
| 2 cloves | Garlic |
| 4 cups | Stewed tomatoes |
| 1/2 cup | Tomatoes and green chilies |
| 2 cups | Beef broth |
| 2 cups | Chicken broth |
| 2 cups | Water |
| 2 tsp | Ground cumin |
| 2 tsp | Red chile powder |
| 2 tbsp | Fresh cilantro, chopped |
| 3 | Flour tortillas, cut into strips |
| 2 cups | Cheddar cheese, shredded |
| To taste | Salt and pepper |
Instructions
-
Prepare Ingredients:
- Finely chop the onion and garlic cloves.
- Cut the flour tortillas into thin strips.
- Chop the fresh cilantro.
-
-
Cooking Process:
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and sauté until tender.
- Add the stewed tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, chicken broth, water, ground cumin, and red chile powder to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld together.
-
Final Steps:
- After simmering for an hour, add about 3/4ths of the tortilla strips, chopped cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese to the soup. Stir well to combine.
- Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the tortilla strips to soften.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serving:
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
- Garnish each serving with the remaining tortilla strips for added texture and crunch.
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Optional Additions:
- For a heartier version, consider adding grilled chicken strips at the end, which complements the soup beautifully and adds protein.
Tips for Success
- Freezing Instructions: This soup freezes well before adding the tortillas and cilantro. Portion it into freezer-safe containers for easy reheating.
- Customization: Adjust the spice level by adding more or less red chile powder according to your preference.
- Garnish: Fresh avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, or a squeeze of lime juice can enhance the flavors even further.
Nutritional Information per Serving
- Calories: 349
- Total Fat: 18.9g
- Saturated Fat: 4.9g
- Cholesterol: 11.9mg
- Sodium: 1416.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 34.9g
- Fiber: 3.1g
- Sugars: 9.9g
- Protein: 11.3g
Enjoy this comforting Tortilla Soup as a satisfying one-dish meal, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a taste of Mexico in a bowl!
