Recipes

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

 

The inspiration behind Vegetarian Tortilla Soup…

I first fell in love with Tortilla Soup through Ina Garten’s cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home.

However, over the years, I became less interested in chicken, which is used in most Tortilla Soup recipes and restaurant preparations.

Eventually, I just decided to tweak Ina’s original recipe, and make a plant-based version. And boy, am I glad I did!

My Vegetarian Tortilla Soup recipe uses pinto beans instead of chicken, which provides plenty of protein and fiber for this satisfying soup. No chicken, no problem!

As with most of my soups, I like to serve Vegetarian Tortilla Soup with a variety of toppings. In this case, I like chopped avocado, radish,  cilantro, and, as always, by beloved Cholula hot sauce.

 

  • Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
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Serves 6-8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
  • 2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)
  • 2 to 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
  • 2-1/2 quarts vegetable broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato puree (ideally, no salt)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional); save a few sprigs for garnish
  • 3 15-ounce cans of pinto beans (ideally organic and low sodium)
  • 6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Garnish: serve with thinly sliced radish, lime wedges, chopped avocado, and hot sauce

Directions

  • Step 1

    Heat the avocado oil in a large pot or dutch oven. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the onion starts to brown.

  • Step 2

    Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chopped jalapeños and sauté for another 30 minutes.

  • Step 3

    Add the vegetable stock, tomato puree, cumin, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt (depending on the saltiness of the stock), 1 teaspoon pepper, and the cilantro, if using.

  • Step 4

    Cut the tortillas in half, then cut them crosswise into ½-inch strips and add to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

  • Step 5

    Add the pinto beans and season to taste. Serve the soup hot, along with sliced radish, chopped avocado, cilantro, hot sauce, and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

vegetarian tortilla soup

Remember to tag me on Instagram if you try the recipe.