Creamy Tortilla Soup

Blended corn tortillas thicken this creamy vegan tortilla soup. It's boldly flavored with cumin, oregano, chipotle powder & a splash of sherry vinegar.

I have this tortilla rotation: I buy (or make) fresh tortillas, and I freeze the ones I don’t use within a day or two. I’ll use those frozen tortillas for a while reheated directly on the gas stovetop. But before that batch is gone, I’ll inevitably acquire new ones. Soon enough, I have a random assortment of tortillas filling my freezer, all at various stages of pre-freezer burn.

And then I make this vegetarian tortilla soup.

About this vegetarian tortilla soup

There are two types of tortilla soup: the thin brothy kind, which is usually made with chicken, and this creamy style. In the creamy kind, and in this recipe, corn tortillas are cooked into the base of the soup as a thickener. They bring a nice earthy flavor that works especially well with the bold spicy flavors that are in this vegan tortilla soup.

Those bold, spicy flavors come from fire-roasted tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, and onion. I use dried spices to flavor it further, adding oregano, cumin, and chipotle powder to bring real depth to this soup.

And if you’re not tortilla-d out by now, I suggest topping the soup with crispy tortilla strips and serving it with warm tortillas (fresher ones) on the side. Enjoy!

4.8 from 6 reviews

Creamy Tortilla Soup

 

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Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: Soup

Serves: 4 as a side dish

Ingredients

• 1 small white or yellow onion, cut into 6 wedges
• 3 garlic cloves (still in the paper)
• 1 jalapeño
• Olive oil
• Sea salt & fresh black pepper
• 1 can (14-oz.) fire roasted diced tomatoes
• (or about 4-5 fresh roma tomatoes, roast them with the onions & peel skins)
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried cumin
• ½ teaspoon ancho or chipotle chili powder
• ½ teaspoon agave syrup (or a pinch of sugar)
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 3 cups veggie broth
• 3-4 corn tortillas, chopped (plus one extra for crispy topping)
• Juice of 1 lime

Serve with your choice of:

• Crispy tortilla strips (sliced from 1 tortilla, toss in olive oil & salt, bake 10 or so minutes)
• Crumbled queso fresco (or feta)
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges, on the side
• More tortillas on the side
• Avocado slices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. On a large baking sheet, spread out the onion slices, the jalapeno (still whole), garlic cloves and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 20-30 minutes until the edges of the onions blacken, tossing them about halfway through. Remove the garlic after about 5 minutes, so it doesn’t burn. Remove the jalapeno when the skin is blackened and blistering.
3. Place the roasted jalapeno in a small glass bowl with plastic wrap over it (but not touching it). Let it cool for 15 minutes and carefully peel off the skin and remove the stem and seeds. (use utensils if you can, and don’t touch your eye afterward).
4. In a medium pot, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil, add the onions, garlic (remove the paper), jalapeno, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, chile powder, a splash of agave or a pinch of sugar, and some salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomatoes start to sizzle.
5. Add a splash of sherry vinegar and cook for 30 seconds more. Add the broth and chopped tortilla pieces and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
6. Transfer to a high speed blender and puree. If your soup is too thick, add some water or broth to thin it to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding in a squeeze of lime.
7. Serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil and the suggested toppings.

Notes

On using frozen tortillas: If you freeze yours, just let them sit out and thaw before using.

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