Description
Sopa de Fideo is a traditional Mexican noodle soup featuring toasted vermicelli pasta cooked in a flavorful tomato, onion, and garlic broth seasoned with coriander and cumin. This comforting dish is garnished with crumbled queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for a bright, fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sopa de Fideo Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil or neutral oil
- 6 oz. fideo or vermicelli, broken into 1” pieces
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
- 2 large or 4 small cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 (14-oz.) can whole tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 6 cups store-bought or homemade low-sodium chicken broth
For Serving
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Toast the noodles: In a large heavy pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the broken fideo noodles, season with half the salt (1/2 tsp), and cook mostly undisturbed until they turn golden brown and toasted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the toasted noodles to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Prepare the tomato base: In a blender, combine the chopped onion, garlic, and whole tomatoes. Blend until the mixture is nearly smooth, light pink, and aerated. Transfer the tomato mixture carefully to the pot, taking care to avoid splatters. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the raw onion and garlic flavors cook off, approximately 10 minutes. Stir in ground coriander and cumin, then season with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt.
- Simmer the soup: Add the toasted fideo noodles back into the pot along with the chicken broth. Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender, about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Serve: Divide the hot soup among bowls. Top with crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro. Serve lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the soup for added brightness.
Notes
- Breaking the fideo into 1-inch pieces helps it cook evenly and makes it easier to eat.
- Toasting the noodles before simmering adds a nutty depth of flavor to the soup.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the saltiness of the soup better.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and omit the queso fresco or use a plant-based cheese.
- Adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or spices to taste during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Sopa de fideo, Mexican noodle soup, vermicelli soup, traditional Mexican soup, tomato noodle soup, comfort soup
