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Spanish Garlic Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 111 reviews

Spanish Garlic Soup, or Sopa de Ajo, is a warm, comforting traditional Spanish dish known for its bold garlic flavor and delicate egg ribbons. Made with simple pantry staples like olive oil, garlic, stale bread, smoked paprika, and broth, this soup is quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and naturally vegetarian when using vegetable broth. It’s an ideal cozy meal perfect for cooler months and can be customized with added protein or heat.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 8 to 10 large cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces stale bread, torn or thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (pimentón)
  • 6 to 7 cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
  • 4 large eggs, whisked
  • Fine sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté the garlic and bread: Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just golden to avoid bitterness. Stir in the smoked paprika. Add the bread and toss to coat evenly in the garlic oil. Continue cooking for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently to meld flavors.
  2. Simmer the soup: Pour in 6 cups of chicken stock or vegetable broth and stir to combine. Use a wooden spoon to break the bread into smaller pieces as it softens. Bring the soup to a strong simmer over medium heat.
  3. Add the eggs: While stirring the soup in a slow, circular motion to create a whirlpool, gradually pour in the whisked eggs. Continue stirring gently to form delicate egg ribbons distributed throughout the soup.
  4. Season and adjust consistency: If you prefer a thinner soup, add up to 1 additional cup of stock. Taste and season with fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and additional smoked paprika as desired.
  5. Serve: Ladle the hot, fragrant soup into bowls immediately. Optionally, garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, extra paprika, or fresh chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread or a light green salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use day-old or crusty bread for the best texture, as it holds up better than fresh bread and prevents mushiness.
  • Stir gently while adding the eggs to create soft, beautiful ribbons throughout the soup.
  • Be careful not to brown the garlic too much; slightly golden garlic imparts the best flavor without bitterness.
  • If using broth that contains added salt, taste before seasoning to avoid oversalting.
  • Variations include adding cayenne pepper for heat, using homemade bone broth for richness, or topping with sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian option.

Keywords: Spanish garlic soup, Sopa de Ajo, garlic soup, smoked paprika soup, easy Spanish recipes, vegetarian soup, egg drop soup Spanish style

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/spanish-garlic-soup-recipe/