Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

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Swap the chicken for quinoa in this healthy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe! Quinoa is high in fiber and protein and makes a great non-meat alternative in this spicy Mexican soup.

If you’ve been a blog reader for awhile, you know I’m a soup lover. A few years ago, I shared a new soup recipe every single Sunday. If that isn’t commitment, I don’t know what is. I love soups because they’re amazing for meal prep! Make a big batch of this vegetarian tortilla soup recipe on the weekend and enjoy all week long.

I also believe that soups are one of the easiest recipes to make for people of any cooking level. Mostly because you really can’t go wrong. Even if the measurements aren’t 100% perfect, there’s a pretty good chance your soup will turn out anyway… unless you accidentally add cinnamon instead of cumin – been there…done that!

Here’s What You Need:

This vegetarian tortilla soup recipe is actually super easy to make and uses fresh ingredients mixed with pantry staples:

  • olive oil
  • vegetables – yellow onion, garlic cloves and a bell pepper.
  • pantry staples – diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, diced green chiles, white quinoa, black beans and corn kernels.
  • seasonings and spices – chili powder, cumin, sea salt and pepper.
  • lime juice
  • fresh cilantro
  • corn tortillas – for making crispy tortilla strips
  • optional toppings – avocado, tortilla strips, cilantro or green onion.

Why quinoa?

I love using quinoa in vegetarian and vegetarian dishes because it’s an amazing source of plant-based protein! It contains all nine essential amino acids and adds a hearty texture to the soup. I always try to get a mix of protein, fiber and fat in my meals and this soup packs in all three thanks to the vegetables, quinoa and beans, and avocado.

Make This Soup Your Own

If you’re like me, you’ve been auditing your pantry and trying to meal plan from what you have! I want to encourage you to get creative in the kitchen and make this soup your own! Here are a few suggestions:

  • Use whatever canned beans you have – don’t let a lack of black beans confine you
  • No vegetable stock? Replace with water or any kind of stock
  • Throw in whatever veggies you have – seriously! This soup is super forgiving.
  • No tortillas? Just use whatever chips you have on hand or skip them entirely

Feel free to get creative! That’s what cooking is about.

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Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe (4)

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Swap the chicken for quinoa in this healthy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe! Quinoa is high in fiber and protein and makes a great non-meat alternative in this spicy Mexican soup.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 bowls 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil.
  2. Add in yellow onion and saute until translucent (about 3-4 mins).
  3. Add in garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add in bell pepper and cook for another minute.
  5. Top with diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, green chilis, quinoa, black beans and corn.
  6. Add in spices and bring soup to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, cover with lid and simmer for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove lid and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
  9. Top with lime juice, cilantro and cayenne if using.
  10. Add to bowls and sprinkle with toppings of choice.

*For Homemade Tortilla Crisps:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Slice corn tortillas in half and then into thin crisps.
  3. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 mins or until browned.
  4. Sprinkle on soup or store in a paper bag on counter top for several days.

Like this recipe? Here are other soup recipes you might enjoy:

  • Tuscan White Bean Soup
  • Detox Vegetable Soup
  • Heirloom Carrot Ginger Soup
  • Thai Curry Carrot Lentil Soup
Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe (5)

Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

Read more about me

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Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

How do you thicken tortilla soup broth? ›

Pureed chiles easily thicken tortilla soup

Adding this to the broth brings all of that great heat and flavor, but as this simmers, it also helps thicken the broth. While Flay uses a mild ancho chile that even beginners can tolerate, any dried chile would work.

What is in Chick Fil A tortilla soup? ›

The Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty, seasonal Chick-fil-A® favorite that features shredded chicken breast and beans in a creamy base with a blend of vegetables and spices, served with Seasoned Tortilla Strips.

How do you tone down spice in tortilla soup? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

How do you thicken tortilla soup with cornstarch? ›

Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly. Using corn starch is a fast, effective way to thicken soup.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

Substituting Cornstarch for Flour as a Gluten-Free Alternative. If you have someone in the family with an allergy restriction, you may need a gluten-free thickener for your soup recipe. It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour.

What is Chick-fil-A secret ingredient? ›

That ingredient is monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG. While many people think MSG is only found in Chinese (or Americanized Chinese) cuisine, it's prevalent in dozens of all types of food items, including snacks like Doritos and powder mixes like Hidden Valley's ranch dressing.

What type of beans are in Chick-fil-A tortilla soup? ›

Shredded chicken breast with navy and black beans in a white creamy soup base with a perfect blend of vegetables and spicy heat. Topped off with seasoned corn tortilla strips.

What part of Mexico is tortilla soup from? ›

Although the exact origin of tortilla soup is unknown, it is known that it comes from the Mexico City area in Mexico. Traditional tortilla soup is made with chicken broth combined with roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, chiles and tortillas, cut into strips and fried.

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

Adding umami-rich ingredients like tomato paste or a parmesan rind to the soup will add a deep, rich savoriness and body to the soup.

Why is my tortilla soup watery? ›

Sometimes all your soup needs is a little more time on the stove. Allow your chicken tortilla soup to simmer uncovered for an extended period. The heat will help evaporate some of the liquid, naturally thickening the soup. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the soup from sticking or burning.

How do you fix salty tortilla soup? ›

Add a small amount of fresh herbs to the soup and stir until well combined. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or tomatoes can also help to reduce the saltiness of soup. Add a small amount of acid to the soup and stir until well combined.

Why is it called tortilla soup? ›

Known in Spanish as Sopa De Tortilla, Tortilla Soup is a humble Mexican soup that is consumed by the nation's populace every day. It is in no way a celebratory dish, but a simple comfort food that derived its name from the generous topping of crispy tortillas on top of the soup.

What soups are the healthiest? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

Where was tortilla soup made? ›

Tortilla Soup was born in the state of Tlaxcala near Mexico City. In fact, Tlaxcala in Nahuatl means “the land of the corn” or “ the place where tortillas abound.” Tlaxcala was one of the first places where the Spaniards settled.

What is the red liquid they dip tortillas in? ›

Simply dip a corn tortilla in the richly-flavored birria broth, place it on a hot skillet and fill it with birria beef and your favorite Mexican cheese, fold and fry until the cheese has melted and the birria taco shell is nice and crispy, then serve the quesatacos up nice and warm with an extra bowl of the warm birria ...

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