Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija
A rich and smoky tortilla soup featuring toasted corn and poblano peppers, topped with creamy avocado and crumbly Cotija cheese, perfect for Cinco de Mayo warmth. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, diced yellow onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and diced
- 1.5 cups frozen corn kernels
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
- 1 medium avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 tortilla strips and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside for garnish.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 cup diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 diced seeded poblano peppers, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1.5 cups frozen corn kernels and toast for 3 minutes until lightly charred.
- Step 5: Pour in 5 cups chicken broth and 14 oz diced tomatoes, then add 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 6: Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Step 7: Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some texture.
- Step 8: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with diced avocado, 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, and the reserved toasted tortilla strips. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija?
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 Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija 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 Toasted Corn and Poblano Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cotija?
Mexican cinco de mayo 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.
