Mexican Meals on a Budget - fideo soup finished dish - Mexican Sides

Fideo Soup

Fideo soup is a classic recipe prepared in Mexican homes. It’s a very comforting soup made with simple ingredients, but what makes fideo special is using a short-cut, thin pasta very similar to vermicelli in thickness, called “fideo”, used to make this soup at home.

What makes fideo soup so special is how wholesome and comforting it is, especially nice when served during colder months but equally enjoyed all year round as a starter or sometimes a main. Poached shredded chicken and or vegetables can be added to add nutrients and make it more filling but is an easily adaptable recipe for vegan or vegetarian diets.

Fideo soup is believed to have originated in the Spanish region of Andalusia, and it was brought to Mexico by Spanish colonisers. The soup quickly became popular in Mexico, and it is now a staple dish in many Mexican households.

Main ingredients and substitutes:

  1. Fideo noodles. Small short-cut thin pasta known as fideo is what is perfect for this recipe. If fideo is difficult to source where you live you can substitute with vermicelli pasta or thin egg noodles broken into smaller pieces.
  2. Broth. Chicken, vegetable or even beef, all make a good soup, whether you make it yourself or use store-bought stock they both work, make sure to get a good quality stock to make a tastier soup.
  3. Recaudo. Is the mixture made with onion, garlic and tomatoes blended into a smooth mixture and then used to flavour Mexican rice and various soups such as fideo soup.
  4. Protein or Vegetables. Shredded poached chicken, carrots, celery, and green beans, can be added to bulk up your soup and transform it into a main meal.

Top tips when making fideo soup at home:

  1. Toast the fideo noodles. This is a key step when making fideo soup, to fry the fideo noodles until golden brown, this will not only give your paste a lovely colouring but will help to keep the shape of your paste when you simmer it with the broth to make the soup.
  2. Choose a quality broth. Good quality ingredients make all the difference in simple recipes like these.
  3. Add chipotle and lime. The favourite way to enjoy soups in Mexico is by adding a bit of chipotle and a squeeze of lime, trust us it is the best!

Why not follow up on this fideo soup with our recipes for picadillo and refried beans?

  • Prep time

    10MINS

  • Cook time

    20MINS

  • Total time

    30MINS

  • Ideal for

    Starter
  • Make it

    Mexican
  • Serves

    4

How to make it

  1. In the blender add the onion, garlic and tomatoes, add a splash of water and blend into a smooth mixture, when ready set aside.
  2. Heat the oil over medium heat in a deep saucepan, once the oil is hot add the vermicelli pasta broken into small pieces or the fideo (that comes broken already), then fry until it turns golden brown, and stir constantly.
  3. Now place a fine mesh sieve over the lightly fried pasta and pour all the tomato mixture through it, press it with a spoon until you get most of the liquid out, and discard what is left in the mesh. Add the Chipotle Paste and stir it in with the smooth tomato mixture and the fideo, let it simmer on low for a couple of minutes.
  4. Add the stock, a pinch of salt and pepper and cover your soup with a lid, simmer for 12 to 15 mins or until the fideo is cooked through. Serve warm in bowls with avocado slices, a spoonful of sour cream and a squeeze of lime, enjoy!

What to serve with Fideo Soup

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FAQs

What is Fideo soup?

Fideo soup is a traditional Mexican dish made with short, thin noodles called fideo. The noodles are toasted, then simmered in a tomato-based broth with different vegetables and spices.

Is Fideo soup vegan?

The traditional recipe for Fideo soup is not vegan as it uses chicken broth. However, it can be made vegan by using vegetable broth.

How do I serve Fideo soup?

Fideo soup can be served as a main dish for lunch or dinner. It is often garnished with fresh cilantro or diced avocado and served with tortillas or bread on the side.

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