Mexicali Vegetable Soup
A hearty and flavorful vegetable soup with lean ground meat, beans, and seasoned with taco spices, perfect for a comforting meal that suits all spice lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook beef and chopped onion in a large saucepan until beef is browned; drain.
- Add beef broth, small white beans, sliced zucchini, frozen carrots, and taco seasoning mix.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vegetarian version, substitute the lean ground meat with lentils or diced mushrooms. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a lighter flavor. If you want more spice, consider adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. This soup can also benefit from a squeeze of lime juice before serving for added brightness.
Serving Suggestions
This Mexicali Vegetable Soup is perfect on its own but pairs beautifully with Mexican Skillet Cornbread Casserole for a hearty meal. Consider serving it with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top. For a complete dinner, serve alongside tortilla chips or a side of Mexican Rice Dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 1-minute intervals until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexicali Vegetable Soup contains roughly 559 calories, with 42g protein, 83g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (101% of the Daily Value), protein (84% of the Daily Value), and iron (74% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 580mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Yes, this soup freezes well! Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).