Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro
A vibrant Mexican soup where toasted fideo noodles simmer in a bright tomato broth, finished with fresh cilantro and lime. This quick weeknight meal captures the heart of traditional Mexican home cooking. This mexican-inspired soups ready in about 25 minutes pairs fideo noodles, vegetable oil, large, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fideo noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, finely diced onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1, seeded and finely diced jalapeño pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz), drained diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2, cut into wedges lime
- to taste sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large finely diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 seeded, finely diced jalapeño pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant — do not brown garlic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup fideo noodles and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups chicken broth and 1 can (14.5 oz) drained diced tomatoes, bringing to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until noodles are tender and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fideo noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Sopa de Fideo with Tomato and Cilantro?
Mexican soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many soups recipes and this is hands down the best.
