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A Bowl of Comfort Creamy Tortilla Soup Without Dairy

There’s something undeniably comforting about a bowl of creamy tortilla soup — the rich broth, the smoky depth of roasted peppers, and that irresistible crunch of tortilla strips on top. But what if you could enjoy all that luxurious texture without a single drop of dairy? This Creamy Tortilla Soup achieves just that, using a clever kitchen trick that turns humble corn tortillas into a naturally silky, flavor-packed base.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 jalapeño (optional), seeded and chopped

1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes

4 cups vegetable broth

4 small corn tortillas, torn into pieces

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using). Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Build the Base

  1. Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes, vegetable broth, and torn corn tortillas. Season with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Simmer and Soften

  1. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat. Let the soup simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the tortillas are very soft and starting to break down.

Blend Until Creamy

  1. Carefully transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and velvety.

Finish and Serve

  1. Return the soup to the pot, stir in lime juice, and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and cilantro.

Recipe Notes

This Creamy Tortilla Soup is proof that comfort food doesn’t need dairy to feel luxurious. The blended corn tortillas create a naturally thick, silky texture — perfectly balanced by the smoky tomatoes and bright lime finish. It’s elegant enough for entertaining, yet cozy enough for a quiet night in.

Creamy, smoky, and completely dairy-free — comfort has never tasted this good.