Sopa Aguada de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Toasted vermicelli simmered in a light, red-tinged chicken broth, a comforting weeknight soup in Mexican homes.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.96 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 saucepan over a medium heat. Add the dry fideo and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Watch closely, as it colours quickly.
3 min 30 s - 2
Add the garlic, carrot and courgette and stir for 1 minute.
- 3
Pour in your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until it darkens and clings to the noodles.
2 min - 4
Pour in the Mexican chicken stock, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the fideo is tender.
9 min - 5
Taste and season with salt. The broth should taste savoury and slightly tangy.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Toasting the fideo is the key. Fry until it is a deep golden brown, like toasted nuts, for a nutty flavour and noodles that stay firm.
- If the soup thickens as it stands, add a splash of hot water or stock when reheating.
- Add a little shredded chicken or a few cooked chickpeas for a main meal.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the noodles soften and absorb liquid. Add extra stock when reheating until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is fideo?
Fideo is a thin Mexican wheat noodle, usually sold coiled in nests or as short cut strands. Broken angel hair or vermicelli nests are an easy UK swap.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Swap the chicken stock for a good gluten free vegetable stock. Check the stock label if you also need it to be gluten free.
Is this soup gluten free?
Not as written, because fideo is made from wheat. Use gluten free spaghetti broken into short lengths and cook until tender, watching the soup closely.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Calabacitas Rellenas de Barbacoa (Stuffed Courgettes)
GFEFNFBurritos Chicos de Frijol y Papa (Bean and Potato Mini Burritos)
DFEFNFChiles Poblanos Rellenos de Carnitas al Horno (Baked Stuffed Poblanos)
GFEFNFFideo Seco con Queso (Toasted Vermicelli in Red Salsa with Queso)
EFNFVDouble 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.