The first time I whipped up this delightful Tortilla Soup, I was excited but nervous! It turned out great, but wow, did it have *quite* a kick! I had underestimated the heat from the jalapeño peppers. So, on my next round, I decided to tone it down a bit and added some sour cream to balance out the spice. Honestly, I felt like a pro chef making those adjustments! Every time since, I’ve tweaked it more and more to create my perfect balance of spices and flavors, along with fresh avocado toppings that take it to another level. It was truly a fun cooking adventure!
Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or any cooking oil you have handy
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup corn
- 1 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken or black beans for a vegetarian option
- Tortilla strips store-bought or homemade
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Sliced avocado lime wedges, and sour cream for serving (optional but highly recommended!)
- Substitutions: You can easily swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or replace the chicken with black beans for a hearty plant-based option.
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: Kick things off by grabbing a large pot. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once it’s nice and warm, toss in the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it’s soft and transparent. Add the minced garlic, jalapeño, and bell pepper and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Your kitchen should smell amazing by now!
- Add in Those Tomatoes and Spices: Time to throw in that can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s well-combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Bring in the Good Stuff: Add the corn and the shredded chicken (or black beans). Allow everything to simmer together for another 5-10 minutes. Give it a taste and see if it needs a little more salt or pepper. You know your flavors! Adjust it to your liking!
- Time to Plate: Here comes the fun part! Grab some bowls and serve that hearty soup. Top it with crispy tortilla strips, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced avocado if you’re feeling extra fancy. Don’t forget a squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten everything up!
Nutritional Facts
| Nutrient | Value per Serving |
|———————-|——————-|
| Calories | 250 |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 3g |
5 Tips for This Recipe
- Don’t skip the garnish! Fresh toppings take this soup to a whole other level.
- Tweak the heat! If you like it spicy, keep the seeds in the jalapeño; if not, ditch them.
- Use homemade chicken broth. If you have the time, it adds an unbeatable flavor!
- Prep ahead! You can chop your veggies the night before to save time.
- Be creative! Feel free to add any veggies you love or have on hand!
5 FAQs for This Recipe
- Can I make this soup vegetarian? Absolutely! Just leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth!
- How can I store leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Can I freeze this soup? Yes! Portion it out and freeze it for a meal later on. Just leave off the toppings until you’re ready to eat.
- What toppings do you recommend? Avocado, lime, sour cream, and fresh cilantro are must-haves!
- How do I make it creamy? Stir in a little heavy cream or coconut milk at the end if you like that creamy texture!
5 Storage Tips
- Cool it down! Before storing, let the soup cool completely!
- Use airtight containers. This helps keep it fresh longer!
- Label containers. Write the date on them so you know how long they’ve been in the fridge or freezer.
- Don’t store toppings with the soup. Keep toppings in a separate container to maintain freshness!
- Reheat gently. Use low heat on the stovetop to avoid burning!
5 Common Cooking Mistakes
- Not tasting as you go. Always taste your soup while cooking to get the flavors just right!
- Ignoring the broth quality. Using good-quality chicken or vegetable broth makes all the difference!
- Overcooking the veggies. They should be tender but still have a bit of crunch!
- Not letting it simmer long enough. Give the flavors time to marry together!
- Using stale tortilla strips. Fresh, crunchy strips make a world of difference!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Our cozy and tasty Tortilla Soup is just a spoon away from your dinner table! I love how versatile this recipe is, and how we can tweak it based on our tastes and what we have in the pantry. Each time I make it, there’s a little adventure in flavors and ingredients, and my friends and family always rave about it. It’s such a comforting meal, especially topped with delicious ingredients like avocado and crunchy tortilla strips.
Overall, I hope this recipe brings some warmth and happiness to your kitchen, just like it does mine. So, gather your ingredients and cook up this fabulous soup; I can guarantee it will be a hit!
Good luck, and happy cooking, my friend! Let’s enjoy that flavor fiesta together!
