Weeknight Tortilla Soup! This vegan tortilla soup is so delicious and packed with plant-based protein, fiber and vegetables. Healthy, filling a MUST-TRY! This recipe was first published in 2014, and updated in 2020. 
As the name implies, this is a quick & easy weeknight tortilla soup meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy evenings, lazy weekends, or whenever you are craving a spicy soup rich with vegetables and beans.
Living in Northern California for almost a decade, we enjoyed our fair share of Mexican food. Living just a few blocks from quite a few Mexican restaurants, it was safe to say that we enjoyed our share of chips and salsa, margaritas and tacos almost weekly. I’m never not in the mood for spicy sauce, crispy tortillas and savory toppings. It’s probably why to this day tacos are one of my favorite food groups and something that I eat at least weekly.
This weeknight tortilla soup is my take on my go-to order at one of our previous favorite haunts. A slightly spicy, tomato based soup filled with vegetables, beans, corn and then topped with all the goodies: crispy tortilla strips, avocado and cilantro. It’s just so, so good. I’ve been making this one for over 6 years and every time I do, BL raves and raves about it and asks me to please make it more.
It’s the perfect balance of warm soup, cooling avocado and a little crunch from the tortilla strips. It’s also one of the few soups that sounds appealing on both 20 degree and 70 degree afternoons.
Did I mention how easy this one is? I call it my weeknight tortilla soup because unlike many soup recipes, this one doesn’t need hours and hours on the stove to simmer. If you can dice an onion and open a few cans, then you can make this soup! There is a video below that shows you step-by-step on how to put this one together! Fellow spicy fans, I highly recommend using fire-roasted tomatoes and extra hot sauce.
The crispy tortilla strips are a must for me, but if you’re really feeling lazy then you can just stir the tortillas directly into the soup. However, the fresh cilantro and lime juice are a must for me. The acid from the lime juice cuts through the tomato broth so perfectly, it feels off if you leave it out.
Then top to your hearts content! I’ve served this one for dinner parties and it’s fun to have bowls of toppings for people to enjoy. Obviously avocado, cilantro and tortilla strips but lime wedges, street corn salad, quesadilla croutons are all fun as well.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Watch how to make this vegan tortilla soup recipe here:
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Weeknight Tortilla Soup! This vegan tortilla soup is so delicious and packed with plant-based protein, fiber and vegetables. Healthy, filling a MUST-TRY!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 poblano pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 Tablespoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 (15 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 oz.) cans corn, rinsed and drained
- 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 corn tortillas, sliced into strips
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 large avocado, diced, for garnish
- 1 lime, plus more lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, heat 1 Tbsp. oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, poblano pepper, garlic and pinch salt. Stir to combine and cook until onion is translucent and cooked down, about 7 minutes.
- Add the jalapeño peppers, carrots, cumin, and coriander. Stir together and cook another 5 minutes until carrot is tender.
- Add the corn, black beans, tomatoes, vegetable broth. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- While soup is cooking, make the tortilla topping.
- Heat the remaining Tablespoon oil in a cast-iron or non stick pan.
- Cut the tortillas into small strips and add to the hot pan. Cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Squeeze the lime into the soup along with the chopped cilantro and stir, then laddle soup into bowls then top with crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, lime wedge and more chopped cilantro, if desired.
Keywords: vegan tortilla soup recipe
I love Mexican food and flavors too. I add avocado, black beans and corn to whatever I can. Pinning this recipe for later!
Thanks Dana!
My boyfriend Will and I eat so. many. beans! We just made a big pot of chili full of black beans. Your tortilla soup is definitely next on my list of one-pot dishes. It looks delish!
That looks so good! Living where I love (Canada, even the warmest part of Canada is cold right now), soup is essential!
Thanks Kelly! Hope you try this one. Honestly, it’s been so warm here (in California) that I haven’t been making as much soup as I usually do in the winter. It’s finally gotten a little cooler and I can’t get enough of this one 🙂
What a groovy combination of flavors. I love it!
I would definitely be happy diving into a big bowl of this! Love the Mexican flavors and how veggie-full it is!
This looks wonderful. I looooove tortilla soup and make it at home often, I can’t wait to try this! Love the corn and spicy peppers in there 🙂
Thanks Deryn!
I think frozen corn tastes a whole lot better and has much less sodium than canned, otherwise I’ll try this recipe this week. Thanks.
Hi Betsy, I totally agree- great swap! I call this soup “weeknight tortilla soup” because it comes together a lot faster than traditional soups but feel free to use any other alternatives than canned!
This soup looks mouth-wateringly delicious right now! I’ve always loved a good tortilla soup, so I’ll definitely be pinning this to try soon! 🙂 I’m so happy to have found your blog, as I have many food allergies and it’s always nice to share information with others.
Awesome! Thanks Lauren!
Although i not good cook but i can feel it, This will be on dinner table 🙂
★★★★★
This was DELISH. I don’t know where you buy fire roasted tomatoes where I live, so I just used regular canned tomatoes and then a can of pureed tomatoes. I also couldn’t find a poblano so I settled for an Anaheim. It was SO yummy. And actually just the right amount of heat. I poblano might’ve been a bit spicy for me.
★★★★★
Awesome! Thanks Heather- so glad you liked it! That’s the beauty about a meal like this, the heat can be turned down or up depending on preference.
Hi Alex. Fixing it tonight for the second time. Lovely recipe.
★★★★★
So glad you like it! Thanks Arnie!
Made this tonight! So good! We put the tortilla strips in an air fryer and they came out great. We will be making this soup again. 🙂
★★★★★
Ohhh, I LOVE the idea of doing tortilla strips in an air fryer!
One of the best tortilla soup recipes! It’s SO good!
★★★★