Caldo de Camarón al Guajillo (Red Prawn Soup)
A warming red broth of guajillo and ancho chillies with potatoes, carrots and plump prawns, finished with lime and coriander.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Red enchilada sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.14 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook for 3 minutes, stirring.
3 min - 2
Pour in 300 ml of your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe) and the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 12 minutes until the potatoes are nearly tender.
12 min - 3
Add the courgette and simmer for 4 minutes.
4 min - 4
Reduce to a gentle simmer, add the prawns and cook for 3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
3 min - 5
Stir in the lime juice and taste for salt. Ladle into bowls and top with the coriander and a spoonful of your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Keep the potato pieces small and even so they cook in the time of the sauce.
- Add the prawns last. Boiling them hard makes them tough.
- For a fuller seafood soup add mussels or chunks of firm white fish with the prawns.
- Serve with warm corn tortillas or tostadas on the side.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour, keep in the fridge for up to 1 day and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freezing is not recommended once prawns are in the soup.
Questions
Can I make the broth ahead?
Yes. Simmer everything except the prawns and lime, chill within 1 hour and keep for up to 2 days. Reheat to simmering and add the prawns fresh.
Is it very spicy?
No. It is mild to medium. Pass sliced fresh chilli or hot sauce at the table.
Can I use dried shrimp?
Traditional versions often add dried shrimp for savoury depth. Add a small handful to the stock if you can find it, but fresh prawns alone are lovely.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, as long as the vegetable stock cube is gluten free. There is no dairy in the soup.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Tostadas de Sardina (Sardine Tostadas with Pico de Gallo)
GFDFEFEnsalada de Nopales (Mexican Cactus Salad)
EFNFTacos de Coliflor Rostizada con Pico de Gallo (Taco-Spiced Cauliflower Tacos)
GFDFEFBowls de Carne Asada con Arroz Rojo (Carne Asada Rice Bowls)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.