The spicy chorizo soup recipe is packed with vegetables and spice. This tomato-based soup is ready in an hour on the stove, but works in the slow cooker, too.
Looking for another soup with the flavors of Mexico? Try this pozole!
Spicy Chorizo Soup
This spicy soup featuring chorizo is a great way to heat things up. It’s ready in an hour on the stove top, but works in the slow cooker, too. It’s always a hit at gatherings, and in fact, I have one friend who requests it if she knows she’ll be visiting. I make soup nearly every week and this soup is one of our favorites.
If you’ve got kids who like chips and salsa, but balk at vegetables on the dinner table, this might be a hit at your house, too.
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil – Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. The recipe doesn’t call for much, but the flavor of the oil will shine through.
Onions – Use two of any kind of bulb onion you have on hand.
Garlic – Four cloves of finely chopped garlic adds that spicy zing we all love so much.
Green bell pepper – Opt for a green pepper here. In a pinch you could use a red pepper, but it will add a little sweetness to the recipe.
Ground chorizo or vegetarian Soyrizo – Traditional chorizo is made from pork. If you’re prefer a vegetarian soup, opt for the latter. Use 3 ounces of either option.
Tomatoes – Add three cups of finely diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes.
Chicken broth – Two cups of chicken broth (or chicken stock) help create a savory base for the soup. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
Seasonings – Red pepper flakes and fresh chopped cilantro add a burst of flavor.
How to make Spicy Chorizo Soup
Process
Chopped onions, bell pepper, and garlic combined with spicy chorizo give this one pot meal plenty of flavor. You can chop the veggies by hand, or toss them into a food processor if you have one. Either way is fine.
If you prefer a vegetarian “chorizo” soup, use plant-based Soyrizo and vegetable broth. While the recipe doesn’t call for it, adding a handful of finely chopped kale 15 minutes or so before you serve it will boost the veggie count.
After heating the oil in a stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the onions, garlic, bell pepper, and chorizo. You can cut the chorizo into chunks or remove it from its casing and crumble.
Sauté until the onions start to brown slightly, then stir in the tomatoes, broth, and add in your seasonings. Next, simmer the dish on low heat for an hour, and mix in the cilantro.
The toppings — tortilla chips and cheese — are optional. And of course, those could be expanded on as well. Sprinkle on some black beans, some olives, or some green onions for a little extra splash when you serve it. Any toppings you might put on a taco will taste great sprinkled on this soup.
This chorizo soup freezes well, too. Make up a double batch and you’ll have a ready-made meal for another day.
FAQ
What can I mix with chorizo?
Chorizo typically goes well with peppers, rice, some fruits and in other Mexican dishes such as tacos or burritos. If you’d like to boost the protein in this soup, canned beans are a great addition. Stir in one can of black or white beans shortly before serving.
Is chorizo a healthy meat?
Chorizo contains a lot of protein and is generally low carb, but it is also high in calories and sodium.
What part of the pig is chorizo?
Chorizo is a sausage usually made from the loin, stomach or shoulder of a pig.
Love soup? Here are more than a dozen additional soup recipes to try!
★ Did you make this chorizo soup recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! ★
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 onions finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 3 oz chorizo or vegetarian Soyrizo
- 3 cups tomatoes finely diced or crushed (jarred or fresh)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro chopped
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Crushed organic tortilla chips for topping
Instructions
- Note: If you have a food processor, you can make quick work of the chopping by pulsing the onions, garlic, and pepper until they're all finely chopped. Ditto if you're using tomatoes fresh from the garden.
- Heat the oil in a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell pepper, and chorizo. You can cut the chorizo into chunks or remove it from its casing and crumble.
- Sauté until onions start to brown slightly. Stir in the tomatoes, broth, and pepper flakes.
- Simmer on low heat for an hour. Stir in the cilantro. Divide the spicy soup between four bowls, then top with cheese and crushed chips.
Notes
Nutrition
Soup Recipes to Try:
- Thai Coconut Soup
- Vegetarian Ramen
- Pasta e Fagioli
- Vegan Minestrone
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Chorizo Soup
- Tuscan white bean soup
- Roasted Tomato & Kale Soup
Originally published in June 2021, this post has been updated.
Can confirm – teens love this. Sent this with my kiddo for lunch, and she said some of her friends tried it too, and that they all loved it! I loved how very quick and simple it was to whip up. I actually made it vegetarian, and my kiddo was shocked. Definitely a hit, and will be making this a staple!