Mexican soups offer a delicious way to warm up and enjoy rich flavors. These hearty dishes combine vegetables, meats, and spices to create comforting meals perfect for any time of year.

From classics like tortilla soup to lesser-known regional specialties, Mexican soups showcase the country’s diverse culinary traditions.

You’ll find a variety of tasty options to try in this collection of 20 Mexican soup recipes.

Some feature noodles or rice, while others focus on beans or vegetables as the main ingredient.

Many of these soups can be customized with your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, or crispy tortilla strips.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal, these recipes will bring the flavors of Mexico to your table.

1. Pozole

Pozole is a hearty Mexican soup that’s perfect for cold days. This traditional dish features tender pork or chicken in a flavorful broth with hominy.

To make pozole, simmer meat with onions, garlic, and spices.

Add hominy and let it cook until everything is tender.

The key to great pozole is the red chili sauce. Soak dried chilies, blend them smooth, and add to the soup for rich color and flavor.

Serve your pozole with toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, and lime wedges. Add a side of crispy tostadas for crunch.

2. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken tortilla soup is a hearty Mexican dish you’ll love. It combines tender chicken, flavorful broth, and crispy tortilla strips.

To make it, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and jalapeños.

Then add chicken, broth, and tomatoes. Let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through.

Shred the chicken and return it to the pot. Add lime juice for a bright flavor.

Top your soup with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and cilantro.

This soup is perfect for cold days or when you want a taste of Mexico. It’s easy to make and sure to become a family favorite.

3. Albondigas Soup

Albondigas soup is a hearty Mexican dish that will warm you up on chilly days. This flavorful soup features tender meatballs made with ground beef and rice.

The meatballs simmer in a savory broth with vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes. Herbs and spices like cilantro, mint, and cumin give the soup its distinctive taste.

You can make this comforting soup in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy and economical meal that’s perfect for feeding a family.

Try serving it with warm tortillas on the side for dipping.

4. Caldo de Res

Caldo de res is a hearty Mexican beef soup that warms you up on chilly days. This comforting dish features tender chunks of beef and a variety of vegetables in a flavorful broth.

To make caldo de res, you’ll simmer beef shanks or short ribs until the meat is falling off the bone. Then you’ll add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, corn, and cabbage.

The soup is often served with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and warm tortillas on the side.

You can customize it by adding your favorite veggies or adjusting the spice level to your liking.

Caldo de res is perfect for family dinners or when you need a filling meal. It’s packed with nutrients and makes great leftovers too.

5. Sopa de Lima

Sopa de Lima is a zesty Mexican soup from the Yucatan region. This bright and flavorful dish combines chicken, vegetables, and citrus for a refreshing meal.

The soup’s base includes sautéed onions, garlic, and mild peppers. Tomatoes add richness to the broth, while spices like cinnamon and cloves provide warmth.

Tender chicken pieces swim in the aromatic broth. The star ingredient is lime juice, which gives the soup its signature tangy taste.

Top your bowl with crispy tortilla strips and creamy avocado for added texture. Sopa de Lima is perfect for warming up on cool days or enjoying as a light summer meal.

6. Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is a tasty Mexican favorite. You’ll love its rich, hearty flavor. This soup is easy to make at home.

Start by cooking onions, garlic, and tomatoes.

Add cooked black beans and water. Let it simmer for a few minutes.

For extra flavor, try roasting the vegetables first. Blend everything until smooth.

You can add spices like cumin and oregano.

Serve your soup hot. Top it with crispy tortilla strips for crunch. You can also add cheese, sour cream, or cilantro.

This soup is filling and nutritious. It’s perfect for cold days or when you want a quick meal.

7. Menudo

Menudo is a hearty Mexican soup made with beef tripe, hominy, and a spicy red chile broth. You’ll find this traditional dish served on weekends and special occasions.

To make menudo, you’ll need to clean and cook the tripe thoroughly. Then simmer it with hominy in a flavorful broth seasoned with red chiles and spices.

Serve your menudo hot with toppings like diced onions, cilantro, lime wedges, and oregano.

Many people believe it’s a great cure for hangovers.

While tripe may be an acquired taste, menudo is a beloved comfort food in Mexican cuisine. Give it a try for an authentic culinary experience.

8. Poblano Corn Chowder

This hearty soup combines the smoky flavor of roasted poblano peppers with sweet corn. You’ll love its creamy texture and rich taste.

Start by sautéing onions and celery in butter until soft. Add garlic and cook for a minute more.

Next, toss in diced potatoes, broth, and spices like cumin, coriander, and Mexican oregano. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Stir in the corn and roasted poblanos. Let the flavors meld together for a few minutes.

For extra richness, you can add cream or evaporated milk. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Serve hot with your favorite toppings. Try crispy bacon, croutons, or a squeeze of lime juice to enhance the flavors.

9. Sopa de Fideo

Sopa de Fideo is a comforting Mexican noodle soup that’s quick and easy to make. You start by lightly toasting thin vermicelli noodles in oil until golden brown.

Next, you blend tomatoes, onion, and garlic to create a flavorful base. Pour this mixture over the toasted noodles and add chicken or vegetable broth.

Let the soup simmer until the noodles are tender, usually about 10 minutes.

You can customize your sopa de fideo by adding vegetables like potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Some versions include beans for extra protein. Adjust the salt to your liking before serving this warm, satisfying soup.

10. Enchilada Soup

Enchilada soup brings the flavors of your favorite Mexican dish to a comforting bowl. This hearty soup combines shredded chicken, beans, and corn in a rich, tomato-based broth.

The key to its distinctive taste is enchilada sauce, which gives the soup its signature flavor. You can easily make this soup in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.

For added creaminess, try stirring in some cream cheese or heavy cream near the end of cooking.

Top your soup with shredded cheese, sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips for extra texture and taste.

This soup is perfect for chilly nights when you want a warming meal with a spicy kick. It’s also great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

11. Caldo Tlalpeño

Caldo Tlalpeño is a zesty Mexican soup that comes from the Tlalpan region of Mexico City. You’ll love this comforting dish when you’re feeling under the weather or craving a warm meal.

To make Caldo Tlalpeño, you’ll need chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful broth.

Start by cooking chicken thighs with onion, garlic, and spices to create a rich base.

Next, add carrots and blend tomatoes with chipotle peppers for a smoky kick.

This soup often includes chickpeas and avocado slices as toppings.

Serve your Caldo Tlalpeño hot with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for extra zing.

It’s a simple yet delicious soup that’s perfect for any time of year.

12. Shrimp and Avocado Soup

This Mexican soup combines the rich flavors of shrimp and creamy avocado. You’ll love its light yet satisfying taste.

To make it, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and carrots in a pot. Add diced tomatoes and broth, then bring to a simmer.

Next, toss in your peeled shrimp and cook until pink. Finish by adding chunks of ripe avocado just before serving.

Garnish your soup with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. For extra kick, you can include some diced jalapeños.

This soup is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a starter for a Mexican-themed meal. It’s both nutritious and delicious.

13. Ajiaco

Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup that’ll warm you up on chilly days. It features tender chicken, potatoes, and corn as its main ingredients.

You’ll find three types of potatoes in this dish: russet, Yukon gold, and small white potatoes. Each adds its own texture and flavor to the soup.

The broth is seasoned with guascas, a herb that gives Ajiaco its unique taste. You can garnish your bowl with capers, cream, and avocado slices.

This comforting soup is perfect for family dinners or when you need a filling meal. It’s easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients.

14. Borracho Bean Soup

Borracho Bean Soup is a hearty Mexican dish that will warm you up on chilly days. The name “borracho” means drunk in Spanish, referring to the beer used in the recipe.

To make this soup, you’ll need pinto beans, bacon, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro. The beans are cooked until tender, then combined with the other ingredients.

The secret ingredient is beer, which adds a unique flavor to the broth. You can use any type of beer you like, but a Mexican lager works best.

This soup is easy to make and tastes even better the next day.

You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove, adding water if needed to adjust the consistency.

15. Zucchini and Tomatillo Soup

Zucchini and Tomatillo Soup blends two tasty vegetables into a light, refreshing meal. This soup is tangy from the tomatillos and mild from the zucchini.

To make it, you’ll need zucchini, tomatillos, broth, onion, garlic, and cilantro.

Blend half the ingredients until smooth, then cook with the rest.

The soup has a bright green color and a zesty flavor. You can add chili peppers for extra heat if you like.

Serve it hot or cold with a dollop of sour cream on top.

This soup is quick to make and perfect for warm days. It’s a great way to use up extra zucchini from your garden.

16. Cocido

Cocido is a hearty Mexican beef soup that will warm you up on chilly days. To make it, start by simmering beef chunks and bones in water with onion and garlic for about 2 hours.

Skim off any foam that forms on the surface as it cooks.

When the meat is tender, add salt and your choice of vegetables.

Popular options include potatoes, corn, carrots, cabbage, and celery.

Let the vegetables cook for 15-20 minutes until they’re soft.

The result is a flavorful, comforting soup packed with tender meat and nutritious veggies. Serve your cocido hot with lime wedges and warm tortillas on the side.

17. Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup

This soup blends sweet potatoes with smoky chipotle peppers for a warming, flavorful dish.

You’ll start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pot. Then add sweet potatoes, vegetable broth, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 15-30 minutes.

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.

For extra creaminess, stir in some heavy cream or milk.

Season with lime juice, cumin, and salt to taste.

If you want a thicker soup, you can whisk in some cornstarch.

Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream or queso blanco if desired.

18. Sopa Tarasca

Sopa Tarasca is a hearty pinto bean soup from the Mexican state of Michoacán. You’ll love its rich, smoky flavor and creamy texture.

To make this soup, you’ll need pinto beans, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Blend these ingredients until smooth. Then cook the mixture in a pot with oil until it thickens.

For extra flavor, add ancho chili powder and cumin. Some recipes include chipotle peppers for a spicy kick.

You can top your soup with crispy tortilla strips, crumbled cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

Sopa Tarasca is perfect for chilly days. It’s filling, nutritious, and easy to make. Try it for a taste of authentic Mexican comfort food.

19. Pumpkin and Hominy Soup

Pumpkin and hominy soup brings together two classic Mexican ingredients in a comforting dish. You’ll love the rich, creamy texture of pumpkin combined with the hearty chew of hominy.

To make this soup, start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pot.

Add cubed pumpkin, vegetable broth, and spices like cumin and chili powder. Simmer until the pumpkin is tender.

Blend part of the soup for a creamy base, then add canned hominy and let it warm through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve your pumpkin and hominy soup hot, topped with a sprinkle of pepitas for crunch.

It’s perfect for cool autumn evenings or any time you crave a filling Mexican-inspired meal.

20. Chorizo and Potato Soup

Chorizo and potato soup is a hearty Mexican dish that’s perfect for chilly days. You’ll love the rich flavors of spicy chorizo mixed with creamy potatoes.

To make this soup, start by cooking chorizo and onions in a pot until the meat is browned.

Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

Next, toss in cubed potatoes and cook them for a few minutes.

Pour in chicken broth and add spices like cumin and oregano.

Let the soup simmer until the potatoes are tender. For a creamier texture, you can add some milk near the end of cooking.

This easy-to-make soup is filling and flavorful. It’s a great way to warm up and enjoy classic Mexican tastes.

Culinary Roots of Mexican Soups

Mexican soups have deep cultural and historical roots. They blend indigenous ingredients with Spanish influences to create unique flavors and textures. These soups showcase the rich culinary heritage of Mexico.

Historical Context

Mexican soups trace back to pre-Columbian times. Native peoples made simple broths with local plants and meats.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they brought new ingredients and cooking methods. This led to a fusion of flavors and techniques.

Soups became a way to stretch limited food supplies. Cooks added whatever was available to create filling meals.

Over time, regional variations developed based on local ingredients and preferences.

Soup played an important role in Mexican culture. It was often served as a first course at family meals. Some soups were believed to have healing properties. Others marked special occasions or religious festivals.

Traditional Ingredients

Mexican soups rely on a mix of native and introduced ingredients. Corn is a staple, used in many forms like kernels, masa, or tortilla strips.

Beans add protein and thickness to broths.

Chili peppers give soups heat and flavor. Common varieties include ancho, guajillo, and chipotle.

Tomatoes, onions, and garlic form the base of many soup recipes.

Meats like chicken, beef, and pork are popular additions. Seafood is common in coastal areas.

Herbs such as cilantro and epazote add freshness.

Squash, potatoes, and other vegetables bulk up soups. Lime juice brightens flavors. Garnishes like avocado, cheese, and sour cream add richness and texture.

Health Benefits of Mexican Soups

Mexican soups offer many health benefits. They’re packed with nutrients and can fit various dietary needs. Let’s look at their nutritional value and dietary considerations.

Nutritional Value

Mexican soups are full of good stuff for your body. Many use beans, which give you protein and fiber.

Veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and onions add vitamins A and C. These help your immune system stay strong.

Soups with meat offer iron and B vitamins. These help make red blood cells and keep you energized.

Garlic and cilantro, common in Mexican soups, have natural germ-fighting powers.

Some soups use corn. It gives you complex carbs for lasting energy. Avocado, often used as a topping, adds healthy fats. These fats help your body absorb vitamins better.

Dietary Considerations

Mexican soups can work for many diets.

Vegetarian? Try bean-based soups or veggie-packed options. They’ll give you protein without meat.

Watching your salt? Make soups at home to control sodium.

Use fresh herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt.

For low-carb diets, pick soups with more veggies and less rice or pasta.

Keto fans can enjoy meat-based broths with added fats like avocado or cheese.

Gluten-free eaters have lots of choices too.

Most traditional Mexican soups don’t use wheat. Just watch out for added crackers or flour thickeners.