Sopa de Tortilla con Barbacoa (Tortilla Soup with Beef)
Smoky tomato and chilli broth ladled over crisp tortilla strips, shredded barbacoa, creamy avocado and melting cheese.
Made with Tortilla soup base and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Barbacoa beef. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.28 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 small frying pan over a medium high heat until a strip of tortilla sizzles straight away. Fry the tortilla strips in 2 batches for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden and crisp.
2 min - 2
Lift out with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- 3
Pour your ready made roasted tomato and chilli broth (see the base recipe) into a large pan and bring to a simmer.
- 4
Add your ready made barbacoa beef (see the base recipe) and simmer for 8 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through.
8 min - 5
Divide the avocado, cheese and half the tortilla strips between 4 deep bowls. Ladle the hot soup and beef over the top.
- 6
Add a spoonful of soured cream, scatter with the rest of the strips and coriander, and serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Keep the tortilla strips separate until the last moment so they stay crisp.
- Bake the strips instead of frying: toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and cook at {t200} for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add a dried pasilla chilli, fried until crisp and crumbled, for the classic look and flavour.
Storing and freezing
Keep the soup in the fridge for up to 3 days and the strips in an airtight tin for 2 days. Reheat the soup until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Barbacoa is beef, so replace it with black beans or fried mushrooms. The soup broth base is also chicken based in some versions, so check the base recipe.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, using gluten free corn tortillas. All the other ingredients contain no gluten, but check any stock label if you buy it.
How spicy is it?
It is gently spiced. The chilli flavour is smoky rather than hot. Add chopped fresh jalapeño or a spoonful of salsa taquera at the table for more heat.
More made with tortilla soup base
Double 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.