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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
