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Tortilla Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 142 reviews

This hearty and flavorful Tortilla Soup is a comforting blend of tender lentils, beans, fresh vegetables, and vibrant spices simmered to perfection in a slow cooker. Garnished with crunchy crushed tortilla chips and creamy cheese, it’s a delicious vegetarian soup ideal for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Beans

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces red beans, drained and rinsed

Pantry and Spices

  • 3/4 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup salsa (mild, spicy, or salsa verde)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 fresh garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Dairy and Garnish

  • 1/2 cup light cream cheese or any creamy cheese of choice (dairy-free options work)
  • Crushed tortilla chips for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables and Beans: Dice the medium onion and red bell pepper. Drain and rinse the black beans and red beans thoroughly. Rinse the dried red lentils under cold running water and set aside.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the rinsed lentils, beans, diced bell pepper, diced onion, and jalapeno pepper to the slow cooker. Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and salsa. Add the corn, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours, until the vegetables and lentils are tender and the soup has thickened to your liking.
  4. Add Cream Cheese: Once cooking is complete, remove the lid and stir in the light cream cheese until melted and fully incorporated, adding creaminess to the soup.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting bowl of tortilla soup.

Notes

  • You can use any creamy cheese you prefer, including dairy-free alternatives, for a vegan twist.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper amount or omit it entirely depending on your spice tolerance.
  • Fresh or frozen corn can be used interchangeably, and canned corn should be drained.
  • This soup can also be made on the stovetop by simmering all ingredients over medium heat for about 45 minutes until lentils are tender.
  • For added protein, consider topping with avocado slices or shredded cheese if not vegan.

Keywords: Tortilla soup, vegetarian soup, slow cooker soup, lentil soup, Mexican soup, healthy soup, easy dinner, gluten free soup

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