Cooking Time & Servings

South of the Border Tortilla Soup - Standard Recipe

You Will Need

  • 1 South of the Border Tortilla Soup Mix
  • 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 or 3 cups of shredded, cooked chicken breast (8-12 oz.)
  • 1 jar (12-16 oz.) salsa (choose mild, medium, or HOT!)
  • (optional garnish: 4 oz. tortilla chips or tortilla strips)

Here's What You Do

  1. In a 4-qt pot bring broth and water to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in soup mix, chicken and salsa.
  2. Return to a simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
  3. Serve as is, or with tortilla chips on top!

Cooking & Nutrition Tips

Use the tips below to customize nutrition, boost flavor, or stretch the soup to fit your needs.

Reducing Sodium?

All of our mixes contain no added salt, only what occurs naturally in the ingredients. To further reduce sodium, use a low-sodium broth, bone broth, or stock. Organic broths often contain less sodium, and homemade broth gives you the most control. To lower sodium while keeping flavor, swap salsa for 1 can of no-salt-added diced tomatoes and add ¼ teaspoon cayenne or one chopped fresh chili for heat.

Chicken Prep Options

Dietary Adaptations

Vegan

Our amazing top seller mix is delicious even without the chicken!

You Will Need:

  • 1 South of the Border Tortilla Soup Mix
  • 2 Tbsp. oil
  • 1 large sweet potato, diced
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (48 oz.)
  • 1 jar (12-16 oz.) salsa (choose mild, medium or hot)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed.
  • Garnish: 4 oz. tortilla chips, crumbled, or tortilla strips
  • Optional:  1 can (14 oz.) of Hominy for authentic Mexican addition and a thicker soup

Here’s What You Do:

  1. In a 4-quart pot, heat oil and sauté the sweet potato for 3 minutes.
  2. Bring broth to a boil.  Reduce heat and stir in mix.  Add salsa.
  3. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
  4. Add black beans for 5 minutes.  Add hominy, if desired.
  5. Serve as is, or crumble chips into bowls and pour hot soup on top!

Vegetarian

Skip the chicken and add 2 diced chayote squash or 1 large sweet potato (microwave first)

Gluten Free

This soup is naturally gluten free when prepared as directed. No special substitutions are needed.

Dairy Free

This soup is naturally dairy free when prepared as directed. No special substitutions are needed.

Recipe Variations

Looking to switch things up? A few simple tweaks can make this recipe your own.

Shrimp Tortilla Soup: Replace chicken with shrimp and add during the final minutes of cooking for a lighter, seafood-forward version.

Sweet Heat Twist: Stir in chopped mango during the final 5 minutes of cooking to balance spice with subtle sweetness.

Build-Your-Own Salsa Base: Use no-salt-added diced tomatoes instead of salsa and customize the heat with cayenne or fresh chili.

Inspired by our customers. Thanks to David A., Karen, Adah S., Karen N., Dave S., Laurie, Melissa G., Judy C., Kristin, Betsy, Laura, Marcia D, Emily, Mary, and Dedra for sharing their ideas. Have a favorite twist of your own? Send us an email or leave a review on the product page.