Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup
A light, aromatic broth packed with fresh fish, tomatoes, and herbs, simmered to perfection for a comforting weeknight meal. This puerto rican-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, finely chopped bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1.5 lbs (snapper or cod, cut into 1-inch pieces) fish fillets
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, finely chopped bell pepper
- 2 medium, chopped tomato
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1, cut into wedges (for serving) lime
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the 1 large finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped bell pepper, and cook for 3 more minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the 2 chopped medium tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups water, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the 1.5 lbs fish fillets and cook for 5-7 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot with lime wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup?
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 large, finely chopped onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup?
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 Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup 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 Popular's Puerto Rican Fish Soup?
Puerto Rican seafood 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
