My Favorite Tortilla Soup Recipe
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Tortilla Soup Is Truly A Classic
Tortilla soup isn’t a newfangled recipe invented by some so-called Mexican restaurant chain to appeal to fans of tortillas. This style of soup goes back to the time of the Aztecs, so it is a certified classic. While this recipe is a bit different since it doesn’t include that funky herb called “epazote”, it is still pretty close. If you can find dried epazote then feel free to use some too. It would be like adding an herb such as parsley.
Ingredients For Tortilla Soup
This tortilla soup recipe is closer to the style of tortilla soup you might find in Central Mexico and it is popular in Mexico City. It has a bit of spicy bite, but not too much. You can easily dial the heat up or down if you want.
Here is what you will need:
- onions
- green chilies
- garlic
- vegetable oil
- tomatoes
- beef and chicken bouillon
- water
- tomato juice
- cumin
- chili powder
- salt
- white pepper
- Worcestershire sauce
- steak sauce
- corn tortillas
How To Make Tortilla Soup
Start by sauteing your onions, garlic, and green chilis.
Add the rest of your “wet” seasonings to enrich the flavor of your broth.
Next, mix the dry seasonings into your soup’s broth, stir well.
Add your herbs and tortilla strips in last so they don’t break down too quickly prior to serving. I like those salad bar-style baked corn tortillas but you can also use your own corn or flour tortillas by cutting them in strips and toasting them briefly to add some crunch.
Add the cheese and a few extra herbs on top to serve!
A Crock Pot Is Perfect For Tortilla Soup
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If you can’t wait to make this warming tortilla soup, make sure you can find the recipe when you need it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board to find it easily!
What To Serve With Tortilla Soup
I like some grated cheddar tossed in to melt right before serving. It melts into the soup and adds creaminess and we all know how well tortillas and cheese go together. From there, the soup has such a great layer of seasonings that you don’t need anything else. But in Mexico, tortilla soup typically comes with some lime wedges.
I also suggest saving a few tortilla chips to crunch over the top too, just like you would add soda crackers to a chowder. A few wedges of avocado add some creaminess to it too.
Using Corn Tortillas Vs Crunchy Tortilla Strips
My Mom’s recipe calls for corn tortillas cut into strips. That was the way that I grew up eating this soup. However, I will tell you that they do get a little soggy if you let them sit in your bowl a bit. More like a noodle, I guess?
These days, I prefer using the crunchy tortilla strips you find by the salad toppings in your grocery store. For my tastes, I just prefer the way the tortilla strips stay crunchier longer.
If you can’t find them packaged and ready to go, you can easily cut corn tortillas into strips then give them a few minutes under high heat in the oven or your air fryer.
Leftover Tortillas? Make these Recipes!
Leftover tortillas? No matter if they are corn or flour – I have lots of great recipes to use them in!
- Air Fryer Taco Salad Bowls (pictured above)
- Chicken Tortilla Casserole
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas
- Tortilla Pinwheels
- Easy White Chicken Enchiladas
- Skillet Tamale Pie
- Breakfast Burritos
- Baked Chicken Taquitos
More Soup Recipes To Try
- White Chicken Chili (pictured above)
- Cheddar Potato Soup
- Fire Roasted Tomato Soup
- Cream Of Mushroom Soup
- Instant Pot Cream Of Celery Soup
- Cabbage Bleu Cheese Soup
It’s not your normal Tortilla soup – it’s BETTER! Let’s make some! 
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Not your Normal Tortilla Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 small onions chopped
- 2 small cans of diced green chilies
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 T vegetable oil
- 2, 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 3 beef and 3 chicken bouillon cubes
- 3 cups of water
- 3 cups of tomato juice
- 2 t. ground cumin
- 2 t. chili powder
- 2 t. salt
- 1/4 t. white pepper
- 4 t. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 T. bottled steak sauce
- 6 corn tortillas cut in strips (*see notes)
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Saute onion, chilies and garlic in oil until soft. (about 5 minutes)
- Add tomatoes, bouillon, water, juice, spices and sauces.
- Bring soup to a boil, lower heat and simmer covered for one hour.
- Top with cheese and tortilla strips before serving. Sometimes I like to add green onion, too!
Notes
Nutrition
looks great! Tortilla soup is one of my favorites!
I love tortilla soup. This looks so good. We will be making this when cold weather gets here!
This sounds delicious! I never get tire of soup either, I always try and have some in the freezer for a quick lunch!
Immmm soooo hungry for this! Love soup. Your a great cook,keep it up
The soup looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!
I LOVE Tortilla Soup! Totally making this, this week!
G’day! Love tortilla soup! Wish I could try now!
Cheers! Joanne
I do LOVE tortilla soup and I love trying new recipes. I’ll be sure to give yours a try!
Definitely different from others I’ve had but I’m going to give it a try. It looks wonderful.
Wow! This is such a tasty tortilla soup and perfect for those chilly days when only a hot bowl of soup would do!
This soup is just so delicious. Even my carnivore family loved it. Thanks for a great soup recipe!
Great suggestion for finding tortilla strips in the salad aisle. Would have never thought of that but you’re right, making your own results in the tortillas getting soggy quickly in the soup. Thank you for that suggestion and this recipe!
It was so delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
I love the flavors in this soup and its a delicious change to a regular chicken soup very nice
I loved the soup and I am making it again for sure! Thank you!
I love tortilla soup. I will add some chicken to this to get in some protein. This is perfect to take the chill off a cold winter night!
This is a great tortilla soup recipe! So flavorful and not too difficult to make. I can’t wait to make it again!
So delish! I went heavy on the cheddar on top and did not regret it. 😉 I loved the spicy flavor and will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
Such a delicious soup! Made extra tortilla strips because can’t get enough of those! Made a great leftover lunch too.
Enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was a hit all around the table! So bold and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe! My whole family loved it!