The Best Vegan Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

Originally posted: January 9, 2017. Last modified: March 17, 2021 by Anjali Lalani. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Looking for another easyrecipe to add to your weekly meal rotations? This Vegan Tortilla Soup recipe is healthy, filling, and family-friendly!No fancy ingredients…simple, yet delicious, making it the best tortilla soup you’veever had!

Isn’t it awesome when you find that perfect meal to make for your family?

This Vegan Tortilla Soup is aone-pot, easy, complete, healthy, well-balanced meal. Even your kids will enjoy this dish. You will wan to make double the recipe, because everyone will be asking for leftovers the next day…AND itmakes a great school lunch. Have I caught your attention yet?

This soup is a favorite in our home. We make it at least 2 times a month, if not weekly. The base is a simple combination of vegetable broth, onions, garlic, fresh jalapenos, lots of cilantro, and a few basic spices. The flavor of the soup really comes from having the base ingredients simmer with all the fresh vegetables and black beans until fully cooked.

One of ourfavorite things about this vegan tortilla soup is how creative you can get with all the toppings. You can enjoy it as is, or take it up a notch by making a small topping platter of finely diced avocado, cilantro, jalapenos, freshly fried corn tortilla strips, and a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. Simply warm up the soup and let everyone customizewith the toppings. You can even get your kids involved and let them cut the corn tortillas with a pizza cutter into any shape they want before frying or baking in the oven.

If I’m short on time, I use my Chop Wizard to help prepareall the veggies ahead of time. After that, the soup requires very little attention while cooking. (On aside note – the Chop Wizard is AMAZING. If you’ve never owned one, you’re missing out. I love using it when I havea lot of veggies to chop. It dices or chops the veggies, all the same size and shape). For a baby or toddler version, simply blend this soup to your desired thickness. I did this with my kids when they were younger, served with a side of mashed avocado.

If you’re looking for a healthy, filling, tasty, family-friendly go-to meal, this Vegan Tortilla Soup recipe is the one! It’s easy and delicious, and hands down the best tortilla soup I’ve had. I’ve served it on several occasions as an appetizer when hosting dinner parties, and it’s always a huge hit. So try it out, and let me know what you think! Tag me on Facebook or Instagram, @vegetariangastronomy #vegetariangastronomy , I love seeing and sharing your re-makes!

5 from 5 votes

The Best Vegan Tortilla Soup Recipe

This easy delicious vegan tortilla soup makes the perfect weeknight soup! Loaded with protein, veggies, and all the toppings!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Gluten-free, Main, Soup, Vegan

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: easy soup recipe, easy tortilla soupo, easy vegan soup, vegan tortilla soup

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 116kcal

Author: Anjali Lalani

INGREDIENTS

2 teasp avocado oil , or any cooking oil
1 cup white onion , chopped
5 cloves garlic , minced
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 teasp ground cumin
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1/3 cup fresh cilantro , finely chopped
1 1/2 cups tomatoes , chopped
2/3 cup frozen corn
15 oz black beans , canned, drained and rinsed thoroughly
2/3 cups zucchini or yellow squash , diced into small cubes
1-2 tbsp jalapeno , (optional) finely diced
hot sauce , (optional) Cholula

For the Garnish (all optional, but highly recommended):

hot sauce , such as Cholula
avocado , diced into small cubes
corn tortilla , cut into strips and fried or baked (or use tortilla chips)
fresh cilantro , finely chopped
fresh jalapeno , finely chopped

US Customary - Metric

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat avocado oil in a large soup pot on medium heat.
Add the onions and garlic and saute until tender (~1-2 minutes).
Mix in tomato paste and cumin. Add a few drops of hot sauce if using.
Add the vegetable broth, 1/3 cup cilantro, and a dash of salt. Mix and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered.
Add the tomatoes, beans, zucchini, jalapeno (if using), and corn. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender (I typically check the zucchini to see when it's done).
Season with salt/pepper to taste.

To Serve:

Top with cilantro, avocado, jalapenos, and fresh fried corn tortilla strips. Add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce for additional spice. Enjoy hot!

NOTES

For Easy Prep - I love using a chopper to dice the onions, tomatoes, and zucchini to save time.

Vegetable Broth - I use Imagine low sodium Organic Vegetable Broth. I've used other brands before, but this one is by far my favorite.

Prep Ahead Tips - Chop all the veggies ahead of time. Use tortilla chips instead of making your own.

For Toddlers & Babies - Once the soup is done, blend it to your desired consistency.

NUTRITION

Did you Make this Recipe ?Mention @VegetarianGastronomy or tag #vegetariangastronomy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Avani
March 25, 2011 at 7:11 pm

the tortilla soup came out amazing! I made it as a side when we had fajitas. We are usually a family that has at least some leftovers but by the end of the night, all the soup was gone. =)
Reply
Reena
August 18, 2012 at 9:46 pm

We have made this a regular in our house! It’s so easy and tasty. I made a couple modifications, I add an extra can of beans, 4 cloves of garlic and 2T of smoked cayenne pepper to give it a bit of a smokey flavor. Delicious!
Reply
Devi
February 07, 2014 at 4:01 am

That was really good. I had to leave the chilies out for the kiddo, but we added on the side :). Made my own broth this time, too!
Reply
- anjali
  February 07, 2014 at 6:20 am
  
  YAY! Glad you enjoyed this soup…I could probably eat this soup once a week and it’s so filling! Hopefully you enjoyed the garnishes on top, minus the cheese of course =) I always leave out the chilis and hot sauce as well so my kids can enjoy it. I’ve always thought about making my own vegetable broth – how did you like it?
  Reply
  - Devi
    February 08, 2014 at 12:10 am
    
    The broth was very good, and I gave leftover for tmrw’s soup which is nice. I used celery, carrots, potato, yellow onions, celery root, and a little garlic and parsley to make the broth.
    Reply
    - anjali
      February 11, 2014 at 10:40 pm
      
      You’ve inspired me to make my own broth! Thanks!
      Reply
Avani
January 29, 2016 at 10:58 am

I already commented on this when I made it for the first time 5 years ago, but recently we had people over and I was looking to make something to go along with enchiladas. I cut everything up before hand and then made the soup maybe 30 min before dinner. It was a huge hit! Everyone was raving about it and my dad even asked that I make it one more time before I leave. There were different spice tolerances so it was nice that people could add more cholula to taste. I will definitely be making this soup again!
Reply
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- anjali
  February 01, 2016 at 9:24 am
  
  THANK you Avani! Loved reading the feedback, and I’m so glad everyone loved this soup as much as I do! It’s one of my favorites and I could eat it all week. Thank you for all the support and for trying out my recipes!
  Reply
Avani
March 21, 2016 at 8:59 pm

I made this soup at least 5 times in the past 1 1/2 month! all my friends have been asking for the recipe!
Reply
- anjali
  March 22, 2016 at 1:40 pm
  
  That’s so great Avani! It’s delicious and so healthy. Once you realize how easy it is to make it’s just a matter of having a few things in your fridge. Thank you!! And thanks for passing along the recipe!
  Reply
Avani S
July 13, 2016 at 10:31 pm

Ahh! I absolutely think this is my most favorite recipe! Love love
Reply
- anjali
  July 14, 2016 at 9:56 am
  
  Aww thanks Avani! hehe
  Reply
Reshana
January 09, 2017 at 11:51 pm

Wow Anjali!!! I love very bit of this recipe and will definitely remaking it at home this winter. It looks like the perfect comfort food on one of those cold days! Its like a mexican soup with those toppings 🙂 #absoultelylove
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 9:54 am
  
  Thanks Reshana! You’ll love it…send me a pix if you try it out and let me know what you think! The toppings really take it up a notch =)
  Reply
Rashmi
January 10, 2017 at 2:11 am

Yummo all the way.
I love hearty soups, its truly food for the soul 🙂
And the crispy tortilla’s might be my favourite
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 9:53 am
  
  You and my kids…both LOVE the crispy tortillas, especially when I make them fresh!
  Reply
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
January 10, 2017 at 10:07 am

Oooh I want a bowl! Right now. Like yesterday actually. Tortilla soup is one of my all time favorite soups, but I have never made it myself!! I loved it before going vegan and I’ve had a vegan version out before but never tackled it at home. Seems pretty simple though, and the best part is that means I can tone down the spice a little to my tastes because it’s often too spicy for me. I love all the veggies and flavors you packed in, it sounds absolutely delicious! And warming! Of course lots of toasty tortilla chips for dipping/topping is a must 🙂
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:35 am
  
  Thanks Natalie! Yes exactly my feelings…always craved it and resturant versions always used chicken broth so I love this recipe! The spices are actually perfect for you (minus the jalapenos and hot sauce)…the rest of the flavor actually comes from cooking the soup veggies broth together themselves so it’s right up your alley! It’s raining like crazy here finally so this soup has been in the rotations in our house for awhile now =) And those toppings…ok now i want a bowl right now!
  Reply
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
January 10, 2017 at 11:28 am

Mmm, this sounds fantastic! I love a good hearty tortilla soup!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:30 am
  
  Thanks!
  Reply
KC @ G-Free Foodie
January 10, 2017 at 12:22 pm

This sounds delish – I’m going to try it with my favorite potato tortillas
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:30 am
  
  Awesome you’ll love it!
  Reply
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
January 10, 2017 at 12:30 pm

How did you know I’ve been looking for a tortilla soup recipe? (And I always have a big bottle of Cholula, ready to go!)
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:28 am
  
  Haha thanks Amy!! You’ll love this one…oh and we are cholula twins! So happy costco carries the large bottles of them! =)
  Reply
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
January 10, 2017 at 1:32 pm

This looks amazing. I am a huge fan of putting toppings on soup, and Mexican flavors are my fav 🙂
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:27 am
  
  Thanks Michelle! The toppings are so much fun and add extra complexity to it!
  Reply
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
January 10, 2017 at 1:45 pm

Love this! It’s vegan and gluten free…yipee! I bet the tortilla’s give this soup a nice little crunch?
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:26 am
  
  Yes!! The fresh strips are my favorite part of the soup, and the flavors are awesome!
  Reply
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Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
January 10, 2017 at 1:48 pm

I really love soups especially this time of year. This soup looks and sounds amazing!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 9:52 am
  
  Thanks Stephanie. This is one of my favs because it’s a complete well balanced meal!
  Reply
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
January 10, 2017 at 3:08 pm

This looks so thick and hearty, I just want to dive right in. Great flavor combo and I love the crispy tortilla strips for texture!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:24 am
  
  Thanks Lisa! The textures are all over the place on this one which is why i love it so much!
  Reply
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
January 10, 2017 at 9:34 pm

We love tortilla soup over here! It’s a regular rotation. My second is a soup fiend so we try and mix it in for him. Looks delicious and super hearty!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:24 am
  
  Thanks sophia! I love it when kids enjoy soup!
  Reply
Hauke Fox
January 11, 2017 at 3:08 am

I meant to make a tortilla soup for ages! Thanks for the recipe Anjali, this looks exactly like what I’m after 😀
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 9:52 am
  
  Awesome, thanks Hauke! You’ll love it…let me know if you try it out!
  Reply
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
January 11, 2017 at 4:01 am

this soup is calling my name with extra avocado slices!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 10:23 am
  
  Extra avocado slices for sure! Thanks Dixya!
  Reply
Linda @ Veganosity
January 11, 2017 at 9:09 am

Love tortilla soup. It’s time to make it again. Looks delicious!
Reply
- anjali
  January 13, 2017 at 9:51 am
  
  Yes!! I always make extra so I can have it again over the week. I hated not being able to have it at restaurants growing up because they had chicken broth in it. This recipe is delicious!
  Reply
Uma
January 13, 2017 at 12:38 pm

I like to try your version Anjali:) I always like to try flavorful soup:)
Today I am going to make this one!
Reply
- anjali
  January 16, 2017 at 9:03 pm
  
  Thanks Uma! You will LOVE it…this soup is so delicious and easy to make. Let me know if you try it out!
  Reply
Gin
January 16, 2017 at 9:10 am

I’ve never tried tortilla soup, but your recipe has me excited to make some! Those ingredients are right up my street, and I love how you can customize each bowl with toppings. Your pics are making me drool!
Reply
- anjali
  January 16, 2017 at 9:04 pm
  
  Oh you are missing out! Tortilla soup is delicious and this recipe is my favorite! It’s very easy, and the toppings are so much fun! Let me know if you try it!
  Reply
Jaime
January 24, 2017 at 1:47 pm

Absolutely incredible taste! I fed it to my entire non-vegan family and they gobbled it up. I felt so satisfied that they all ate healthy AND enjoyed it!
Reply
- anjali
  January 24, 2017 at 8:19 pm
  
  yay! that’s awesome that they loved it! I always make double the batch for the next day too. Thanks so much for trying it out jaime!
  Reply
Jalvi
February 12, 2017 at 7:56 am

It’s truly the best tortilla soup I’ve ever made and eaten!! Made it for a party of 35 yesterday and it was a super hit item!! Thx for a great recipe. Can’t wait to make it again and again 🙂
Reply
- anjali
  February 13, 2017 at 12:14 pm
  
  Aww thank you so much! I’m so glad you guys all loved it! I made it for a dinner party as well…so easy to make ahead of time and just serve and I love that it’s packed with veggies and protein! Thanks so much for the great review!
  Reply
Aubri7
August 04, 2017 at 6:19 am

I love this soup so much. Do you think it would be okay to make it a day or two ahead of time? We are going out of town until Sunday evening and I want to have this for dinner Sunday night. I thought it might be easier to make it before I leave and warn it up when I get back.
Reply
- anjali
  August 04, 2017 at 1:02 pm
  
  Absolutely, and thank you so much! This is one of my go-to as well and since it’s such an awesome meal, i typically make twice the batch and enjoy it for 2-3 days. The flavors also end up marinating more together so it tastes even better made ahead of time. Enjoy!!
  Reply
Anusha
December 14, 2017 at 5:06 am

Do you have to use avocado or grape seed oil ? Is olive oil ok?
Reply
- anjali
  December 14, 2017 at 12:16 pm
  
  Nope…you can use any oil you like. Yes olive oil is fine. I like to use a neutral oil for the most part in my cooking depending on the recipe (so it doens’t add flavor) which is why i recommend avocado, grapeseed, sunflower oil, etc…but any oil is just fine!
  Reply
Anumeha
January 29, 2018 at 11:16 am

Loved this soup, so easy, flavorful and healthy. Now this is gonna be my quick fix on a busy weekday!
Reply
- anjali
  January 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm
  
  Thank you! My family loves it, so glad you do as well!
  Reply
Nancy Collias
January 29, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Delicious!! Easy to make and very flavorful. Will double the recipe next time since it is all gone! Thank you 🙂
Reply
- anjali
  January 29, 2018 at 10:44 pm
  
  Thank you!! So glad you loved it! Definitely doubling is the way to go so you have leftovers 🙂
  Reply
Amanda
April 19, 2018 at 6:18 pm

This soup is incredibly delicious! And simple too!!! Will be making again and again, thank you!
Reply
- anjali
  April 20, 2018 at 10:04 am
  
  Thank you!! So glad you loved it…my entire family loves it! We make it a few times a month!
  Reply
Maria
October 14, 2018 at 12:37 pm

This soup was SOOO delicious! I doubled the recipe and added smoked paprika (no jalapeños since my kids don’t like anything spicy). I did add a splash of my MIL’s homemade pickled serrano pepper liquid. Oh my, so delicious!!!! So glad I doubled the recipe because we have lunch for tomorrow. 🙂 Thank you!!!
Reply
- anjali
  October 14, 2018 at 3:27 pm
  
  awesome!!! and wow…homemade pickled serrano pepper liquid??? I need to make myself some of that! My kids aren’t huge spice fans either so i typically add fresh jalapeno on top. And yes to doubling the recipe! Works wonders for leftovers. Thanks so much for the review!!
  Reply
Taylor
June 25, 2019 at 2:52 pm

I love making vegan food that doesn’t use any vegan substitutes! This was so good it cost me about $12 until I sliced my finger opening a can and then it cost me about $200 more dollars getting my finger stitched up in the emergency room. Overall great meal.
Reply
- anjali
  June 25, 2019 at 5:13 pm
  
  Oh no!! So glad you enjoyed the meal, but yikes on the finger!!! At least you got it stitched up!! Hopefully next time it won’t happen. And I totally agree with you on vegan food without vegan substitutes.
  Reply
Sandra
July 22, 2019 at 6:49 am

This soup sounds delicious. Can’t wait to make it tomorrow for my friend whose vegan.
Reply
- anjali
  July 30, 2019 at 9:35 pm
  
  You’ll love it! Hopefully, your friend did as well…it’s very easy so flavorful, and one of my most popular recipes!
  Reply
Anumeha Taori
May 11, 2020 at 7:32 pm

One of my fav soup, Anjali!
Hands down – full of flavor, nutrients, comforting and so colorful!
Love how all your recipes are so healthy.
Reply
- anjali
  May 13, 2020 at 2:06 pm
  
  Thank you so much!! We love this soup as well. So filling, love the toppings, and flavors come from the veggies themselves! Glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Radhika
August 11, 2020 at 12:00 pm

This was so so good! An instant hit! I can totally see myself making this on a regular basis. Thank you for the recipe Anjali!
Reply
- anjali
  August 14, 2020 at 2:03 am
  
  Yay…we love this on a regular basis! So glad you loved the recipe thanks!
  Reply

The Best Vegan Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

View Details ›

How do you tone down spice in tortilla soup? ›

Basically, there are two ways to reduce how spicy any soup is:

Make more soup and dilute the spices.
Add more starch and/or dairy to the existing soup.

Nov 8, 2018

Read The Full Story ›

What is tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup is a Mexican-inspired soup that has a tomato and chicken broth base. It is spiced with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and has a little kick from the jalapeño. It also has hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and of course the shredded chicken.

Know More ›

Will tortilla chips thicken soup? ›

Second, you can add some crushed corn chips – tortilla chips work well, as do salty Fritos. The chips will soak up liquid and become soft, thickening the chili and adding flavor without being noticeable.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

See Details ›

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

Get More Info ›

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

Adding umami-rich ingredients like tomato paste or a parmesan rind to the soup will add a deep, rich savoriness and body to the soup.

Read The Full Story ›

How do you thicken tortilla soup with cornstarch? ›

Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly. Using corn starch is a fast, effective way to thicken soup.

What does cornstarch do in soup? ›

Cornstarch is a common thickening agent in the culinary arts, but if you add it directly to the liquid you want to thicken, it will clump up. To thicken a sauce or soup with cornstarch, you first need to make a slurry, which is a mixture of equal parts cornstarch and liquid (usually water, stock or wine).

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Can you use mashed potato flakes to thicken soup? ›

This soup-thickening hack couldn't be easier. Unlike using flour, which requires either making a little roux before you start cooking or a beurre manié afterwards, or using a cornstarch slurry that can create a gloppy texture, the instant mashed potato flakes can simply be sprinkled into the finished dish.

Do potatoes help thicken soup? ›

Potatoes naturally thicken soup, but sometimes you might want an even thicker or chunkier consistency.