Zesty Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Green valleys of flavor burst through this salsa verde tortilla soup that dances with zesty Mexican inspiration.

Vibrant peppers and tangy tomatillos create a rich, comforting base for an unforgettable meal.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly into a soul-warming experience that tingles your palate.

Cumin and cilantro weave complex layers of authentic taste throughout each spoonful.

Home cooks can easily craft this delightful soup with simple ingredients found in most kitchens.

Fresh garnishes like crisp tortilla strips and creamy avocado slices elevate every serving.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite that brings warmth and excitement to your dinner table.

Storing Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months, ensuring best quality and taste.
• Transfer frozen or refrigerated soup to a pot, warm over medium heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of broth if needed to restore consistency.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.

Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup Pairings

• Pair this zesty soup with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial, which cuts through the rich, spicy broth and complements the salsa verde's tanginess.
• Add grilled chicken quesadillas on the side to boost protein intake and provide a complementary texture that echoes the soup's Mexican-inspired profile.
• Select a bright, acidic white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, whose citrusy notes will harmonize with the soup's lime and salsa verde elements while refreshing the palate.
• Serve a homemade horchata alongside the soup, offering a creamy, sweet contrast to the soup's spicy and robust flavor landscape.

Tortilla Soup with Salsa Verde Mix-Ups

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace chicken with black beans or tofu, adding extra protein and keeping the soup hearty and flavorful.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free tortilla chips and verify taco seasoning is gluten-free, making the soup safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Lovers' Version: Increase hot sauce quantity, add diced jalapeños, and include cayenne pepper for an extra kick of heat.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the soup's rich texture and taste.

FAQs

• What makes salsa verde tortilla soup different from regular chicken soup?

This soup combines Mexican-inspired flavors with traditional soup elements, using salsa verde, taco seasoning, and multiple salsas to create a more complex, zesty profile that’s far from a standard chicken soup.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace chicken with beans like black or pinto beans, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The protein and flavor will remain robust and delicious.

• How spicy is this soup?

The spice level depends on your salsa verde, hot sauce, and taco seasoning. You can control heat by choosing mild versions or reducing hot sauce. For less spice, use a mild salsa verde and skip additional hot sauce.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This soup stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and actually develops deeper flavors overnight. Just keep tortilla chips separate to maintain their crunch when serving.

Tortilla Soup With Salsa Verde That’s Zesty and Comforting

Whip Up Quick Comfort: Lightning-Fast Soup Solution

• Minimal Prep Magic: Chop vegetables and ingredients come together in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is short.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Layered salsas and taco seasoning create a bold, zesty profile that transforms ordinary soup into a taste adventure without complicated cooking skills.
• Customize Like a Pro: Flexible recipe allows endless personalization with toppings like crispy tortilla chips, creamy avocado, tangy cheese, letting every family member design their dream bowl.
• One-Pot Wonder Strategy: Single pot cooking means minimal cleanup, reducing kitchen stress and giving you more time to enjoy a delicious, warming meal with minimal dishwashing hassle.

What Goes Into Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup

• Onion: Aromatic foundation that adds depth and sweetness to the soup.
• Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and color to the soup base.
• Celery: Adds subtle herbal flavor and traditional soup vegetable texture.
• Garlic: Brings intense, sharp flavor and aromatic profile to the dish.

• Chicken, Shredded: Tender protein that makes the soup hearty and satisfying.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, citrusy notes and classic Mexican flavor.

• Broth: Essential liquid base that provides depth and cooking medium for vegetables.
• Salsa Verde: Tangy green sauce that brings zesty, authentic Mexican flavor.
• Chunky Red Salsa: Adds texture and additional tomato-based complexity.
• Hot Sauce: Provides optional heat and extra flavor kick.

• Taco Seasoning: Blend of spices that gives Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and traditional seasoning.

• Potatoes: Hearty vegetable that provides substance and texture to the soup.

• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy element that adds texture and traditional Mexican touch.
• Yogurt or Sour Cream: Creamy topping that cools and balances spicy flavors.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds richness and melty texture.
• Avocado Slices: Creamy, rich topping with healthy fat.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for garnish.
• Lime: Citrus fruit that adds bright, fresh finishing touch.

Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup Simmering Guide

Step 1: Sauté the Veggie Base

Fire up a large soup pot over medium heat and melt the butter.

Toss in the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.

Dance these veggies around the pot for about 5 minutes until they release their aromatic magic and become beautifully soft and translucent.

Step 2: Spice and Simmer the Potatoes

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper to create a flavor explosion.

Drop in the cubed potatoes and pour the broth over them.

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble and let it simmer for 10 minutes until the potatoes become tender and dreamy.

Step 3: Build Layers of Flavor

Introduce the chunky red salsa, tangy salsa verde, and a dash of hot sauce to the pot.

Stir everything together to create a vibrant flavor profile.

If you’re using chicken, fold in the shredded meat and fresh cilantro.

Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to get cozy and swap their delicious notes.

Step 4: Create a Soup Masterpiece

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls.

• Crunchy tortilla chips
• Creamy yogurt or sour cream
• Melty shredded cheese
• Smooth avocado slices
• Zingy green onions
• Extra cilantro leaves

Serve with lime wedges on the side, ready to add a bright citrus punch to each spoonful.

Tortilla Soup Tips for Salsa Verde Flavor Depth

• Adjust the heat by controlling the amount of hot sauce and taco seasoning. Start with a small quantity and gradually increase to match your preferred spiciness.
• Toast the taco seasoning in the butter for 30 seconds before adding vegetables to intensify the aromatics and release deeper flavor profiles.
• Use rotisserie chicken or quickly shred pre-cooked chicken breasts for tender, moist meat that seamlessly blends into the soup.
• Replace chicken with black beans or plant-based protein like quinoa to create a hearty meat-free version without compromising taste and texture.
• Chop vegetables and shred chicken in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to streamline cooking and reduce day-of preparation time.

Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor Mexican culinary magic with salsa verde tortilla soup, a zesty symphony of tangy green sauce and hearty ingredients. Comfort meets bold flavors in this soul-warming bowl that brings spicy warmth and authentic southwestern charm to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 12 cups shredded chicken (optional)

Vegetables and Base Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 russet potatoes, cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

• 34 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 2 cups chunky red salsa
• 2 cups salsa verde
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Serving Suggestions:

• Tortilla chips
• Yogurt or sour cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Avocado slices
• Green onions, chopped
• Lime wedges

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Instructions

1. In a capacious cookware, melt butter over moderate flame, introducing finely diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté the aromatics until they release their fragrant essence and soften, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Incorporate taco seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to distribute evenly. Add cubed potatoes and pour in rich broth, elevating the heat to generate a gentle simmer. Allow potatoes to tenderize for 10 minutes.
3. Gently fold in chunky red salsa, vibrant salsa verde, and a dash of hot sauce, creating a harmonious blend of zesty flavors. If desired, introduce shredded chicken and freshly chopped cilantro, allowing the ingredients to intermingle for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Transfer the aromatic soup into serving vessels, creating an inviting presentation. Embellish with crisp tortilla chips, a generous dollop of tangy yogurt or creamy sour cream, sprinkle of shredded cheese, delicate avocado slices, and a garnish of sliced green onions. Complement the dish with wedges of lime, inviting diners to add a bright citrus note to their soup.

Notes

• Adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of hot sauce and choosing mild or spicy salsa verde to suit different taste preferences.
• Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil to make the recipe dairy-free and accommodate various dietary needs.
• Boost protein content by adding extra shredded chicken, beans, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or tempeh for vegetarian options.
• Create a meal prep-friendly version by preparing the soup base in advance and storing it separately from toppings to maintain crisp textures and freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg