Soup is a staple in many Latin American countries and can be found in almost every household. It’s a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for a cozy night in. Not only are these soups delicious, but they are also full of nutrients and flavor. Here are some authentic Latin American soups to try on a cozy night in.
Sopaipillas con Sopa de Ajo (Chile)
This soup, also known as “garlic bread soup,” is a traditional Chilean dish that is made with sopaipillas, a type of fried bread, and a garlicky broth. To make the sopaipillas, you will need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and lard or vegetable shortening. Mix the ingredients together to form a dough, then roll it out and cut it into small circles. Deep fry the sopaipillas until they are golden brown, then set them aside.
To make the broth, heat some oil in a pot and sauté some minced garlic until fragrant. Add in chicken broth, water, and salt and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in the sopaipillas and let them cook for a few minutes. Serve the soup hot, with the sopaipillas floating in the broth.
Sancocho (Colombia and Ecuador)
Sancocho is a traditional soup that is popular in both Colombia and Ecuador. It is made with a variety of vegetables and a meat, usually chicken or beef. To make sancocho, start by boiling some water in a large pot. Add in diced onions, garlic, and any vegetables you have on hand, such as carrots, potatoes, and corn. Let the vegetables cook until they are tender.
Next, add in your choice of meat and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and aji (a spicy sauce made with chili peppers).
Sopa de Fideos (Argentina)
Sopa de fideos, or “noodle soup,” is a comforting and hearty soup that is popular in Argentina. To make this soup, heat some oil in a pot and sauté some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes. Next, add in some chicken broth and let it come to a boil.
Once the broth is boiling, add in some thin noodles, such as vermicelli or angel hair pasta, and let them cook until they are tender. Finally, add in some diced chicken and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top.
Sopa de Tortilla (Mexico)
Sopa de tortilla, or “tortilla soup,” is a traditional Mexican soup that is made with a flavorful tomato broth and crispy tortilla strips. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in some diced chicken and let it cook until it is fully cooked. To make the crispy tortilla strips, cut some corn tortillas into thin strips and fry them in oil until they are golden brown.
To serve the soup , ladle the broth into bowls and top with the crispy tortilla strips and any other toppings you desire, such as diced avocado, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. This soup is best served hot and is perfect for a cozy night in.
Sopa de Frijoles (Costa Rica)
Sopa de frijoles, or “bean soup,” is a staple in Costa Rican cuisine and is made with a variety of beans and vegetables. To make this soup, start by soaking some beans overnight in water. The next day, drain the beans and add them to a pot with water, diced onions, garlic, and any vegetables you have on hand, such as carrots, potatoes, and corn. Let the soup simmer until the beans are tender.
Next, add in some diced chicken or beef and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Pollo (El Salvador)
Sopa de pollo, or “chicken soup,” is a traditional El Salvadorian dish that is made with a flavorful broth and tender pieces of chicken. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in some diced chicken and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Ajo (Peru)
Sopa de ajo, or “garlic soup,” is a traditional Peruvian dish that is made with a rich and flavorful broth that is infused with garlic and a variety of spices. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some minced garlic until it is fragrant. Add in some diced onions, cumin, and paprika and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in some diced chicken and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Mariscos (Venezuela)
Sopa de mariscos, or “seafood soup,” is a traditional Venezuelan dish that is made with a variety of seafood and a flavorful broth. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some seafood broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, clams, and mussels, and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Lentejas (Bolivia)
Sopa de lentejas, or “lentil soup,” is a traditional Bolivian dish that is made with lentils, vegetables, and a flavorful broth. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some lentils and water and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in any vegetables you have on hand, such as carrots, potatoes, and corn, and let them cook until they are tender. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Pescado (Puerto Rico)
Sopa de pescado, or “fish soup,” is a traditional Puerto Rican dish that is made with a variety of seafood and a flavorful broth. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some seafood broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in a variety of seafood, such as fish, shrimp, and clams, and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
No matter which soup you choose, these authentic Latin American soups are sure to warm you up and satisfy your hunger on a cozy night in. So why not try one of these recipes and bring a little bit of Latin America into your home? Whether you’re looking for something hearty and filling or light and refreshing, there is a Latin American soup for every occasion.
Sopa de Mondongo (Dominican Republic)
Sopa de mondongo, or “tripe soup,” is a traditional Dominican Republic dish that is made with tripe (cow’s stomach), vegetables, and a flavorful broth. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some beef broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in the tripe and let it cook until it is tender. Finally, add in some vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and corn, and let them cook until they are tender. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Pollo y Platano (Honduras)
Sopa de pollo y platano, or “chicken and plantain soup,” is a traditional Honduran dish that is made with a flavorful broth and tender pieces of chicken and plantains. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in some diced chicken and sliced plantains and let them cook until they are fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Ajo y Patata (Guatemala)
Sopa de ajo y patata, or “garlic and potato soup,” is a traditional Guatemalan dish that is made with a flavorful broth and tender pieces of potatoes. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some minced garlic until it is fragrant. Add in some diced onions and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in some diced potatoes and let them cook until they are tender. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
Sopa de Conchas (Nicaragua)
Sopa de conchas, or “shellfish soup,” is a traditional Nicaraguan dish that is made with a variety of shellfish and a flavorful broth. To make this soup, start by heating some oil in a pot and sautéing some diced onions and garlic until they are fragrant. Add in some diced tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add in some seafood broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add in a variety of shellfish, such as clams, mussels, and scallops, and let it cook until it is fully cooked. Finally, add in some chopped cilantro and let the soup simmer for a few more minutes. Serve the soup hot, with a side of white rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.
No matter which soup you choose, these authentic Latin American soups are sure to warm you up and satisfy your hunger on a cozy night in. So why not try one of these recipes and bring a little bit of Latin America into your home