Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
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This pantry staple Vegetarian Tortilla Soup recipe is a meatless “one pot wonder” that I’ve been making and freezing for years for my family. Filled with beans, tomatoes, chilis, corn, and more, it only gets better the longer it sits in the fridge.
Why Make Vegetarian Tortilla Soup?
Years ago I implemented a small goal of having at least one day a week be meatless for our family. This is for three reasons: it’s cheap, it’s often healthier, and it’s better for the environment (raising animals utilizes much more of our natural resources than raising crops).
The great thing about Vegetarian Tortilla Soup is that it’s hearty enough for any meat eater in your family and makes a big batch for a crowd or just to have on hand all week long.
Another benefit is the flexibility of this soup. You can prepare it on the stove, in the Instant pot, or in the slow cooker. Plus, we also include instructions for how to make it ahead and freeze a batch for later.
Not only that, but you can use up what you have on hand with this “kitchen sink”-type soup. Don’t have green chilis? Add a little more salsa. Don’t have rice? Try quinoa. Have fresh veggies on hand? I’ve thrown in chopped zucchini, spinach, and diced bell pepper before with great results (just cook until they are soft).
Ingredients for Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
While I typically stick to the ingredients below, feel free to use up what you have on hand with this “kitchen sink”-type soup. Don’t have green chilis? Add a little more salsa. Don’t have rice? Try quinoa. Have fresh veggies on hand? I’ve thrown in chopped zucchini, spinach, and diced bell pepper before with great results. They will all cook just fine. Here is where to start though:
- Vegetable broth or chicken broth (make your own chicken broth here)
- Vegetarian refried beans
- Black beans
- Corn
- Petite diced tomatoes
- Diced green chilis
- Mild or medium salsa
- Taco seasoning (Use our homemade taco seasoning here)
- Cooked brown rice (or throw cauliflower rice in with all the ingredients and cook with all the other ingredients!)
Keep these pantry staple ingredients on hand all the time, and you’ll always have a delicious, healthy meal ready to go in minutes.
Can I Make this Soup in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot?
Yep!
Slow Cooker Method: Combine broth, refried beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning in the crockpot. Stir and break up the refried beans as much as possible. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in the cooked rice and serve warm with optional toppings.
Instant Pot Method: We have written a whole post on how to make Instant Pot Tortilla Soup here. Hop on over!
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Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
This one-pot wonder is packed with flavor but is also vegetarian! This winning combination of ingredients and flavors is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 (32 ounce) box vegetable stock (Sub: chicken stock or broth)
- 1 (15 ounce) can vegetarian refried beans* (Sub: drained pinto beans that have been smashed with a fork)
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (Sub: kidney or pinto beans)
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained (Sub: 2 cups frozen corn)
- 1 (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (juice and all) (Tip: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes are delicious!)
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles (Sub: 1/2 cup salsa)
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons all-natural taco seasoning mix
- 1–2 cups cooked brown rice (Sub: cooked quinoa)
- Optional Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeños, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, crushed tortilla chips, lime wedges, diced avocado
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Instructions
Make It Now:
Stovetop Method: In a large pot, combine broth, refried beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning. Stir and break up the refried beans as much as possible. Bring to a boil and quickly reduce to a simmer. Cook over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally while it cooks. Stir in the cooked rice and serve warm with optional toppings.
Slow Cooker Method: Combine broth, refried beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning in the crockpot. Stir and break up the refried beans as much as possible. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in the cooked rice and serve warm with optional toppings.
Instant Pot Method: Combine broth, refried beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles, salsa, and taco seasoning in the crockpot. Stir and break up the refried beans as much as possible. Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes, then quick release the pressure. Stir in the cooked rice and serve warm with optional toppings.
Freeze For Later:
Method 1 (Uncooked): Combine all ingredients in a pot/bowl, except rice and optional toppings. (Don’t worry if the refried beans aren’t completely integrated.) Carefully ladle the soup into gallon-sized freezer bags or containers and seal. Package the cooked rice in a small freezer bag and freeze alongside the soup.
Method 2 (Fully Cooked): Fully cook the soup according to instructions. Stir in the rice. Let cool. Freeze in freezer bags or containers, as individual servings or one full meal. Freeze until ready to use.
Prepare From Frozen:
Method 1 (Uncooked): Fully thaw the soup. Cook according to instructions.
Method 2 (Fully Cooked):
Stove or Slow Cooker: Warm over low heat on the stove or in the slow cooker.
Instant Pot: Turn on Saute button and warm over low, stirring frequently.*
Notes/Tips
*If you want to cook the soup from frozen in the Instant Pot, you’ll need to freeze it in a round container that is smaller than the diameter of the pot. When ready to cook, turn on the “Saute” function and saute the frozen block of soup for 5-10 minutes to release some liquid. Press “Cancel”. Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 12-17 minutes with a quick release.
Gluten-Free: If using a taco seasoning packet from the store, be sure to buy one that is gluten-free.
Dairy-Free: Omit using any cheese or sour cream on top.
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I make this recipe often. It is a great base and then we put the add-ins on the side so the kids feel like they get to customize theirs. Everyone loves it!
★★★★★
Yes, the add-ins can really make it different for each person. Love this!
I loved this! So delicious and filling. It was a snap to put together. Definitely make this again and again!
Thanks for great ideas for easy meals.
★★★★★
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I always have the ingredients for this one in the pantry. 😉