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There’s nothing better on a chilly day than a warm bowl of creamy, spicy tortilla soup. My Vegetarian tortilla soup is hearty, full of flavor, and made effortlessly in the crockpot or Instant Pot. With beans, lentils, corn, and creamy cheese, it’s loaded with texture and protein. Whether you’re meal-prepping or cooking for family, this soup will keep you cozy and satisfied.
Colder weather calls for soups and chili recipes. This creamy vegetarian tortilla soup is cozy, hearty, full of flavor, and made without any meat! It’s a Tex-Mex inspired soup that’s loaded with beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices, then finished with cream cheese for that smooth and creamy texture. Best of all, you can make it in your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop, so it works for any schedule.
For a non-vegetarian version of this soup, check out this creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe. You may also love my creamy chicken enchilada soup or my Marry Me Chicken Soup.
Recipe Overview
Skill Level
Intermediate
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Tips for Success
- Add cream cheese at the end. This keeps the soup creamy and prevents curdling.
- For more heat, add jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Want it lighter? Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt. Just make sure you add it at the very end.
- Make your own Crispy tortilla strips: Cut tortillas into thin strips, toss with olive oil, and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Ingredients you will need
Below is just a list of ingredients to check if you have and that you’ll need to make this soup. Full measurements will be listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Onion, garlic, and bell peppers: the aromatic base.
- Corn & diced tomatoes: for a sweet, crunchy, and juicy flavor.
- Black beans + lentils: add protein and make it filling. Black beans, red beans, or any other beans of choice, like pinto beans.
- Olive oil, or any other neutral oil like avocado oil.
- Vegetable broth: The base of the soup.
- Jalapeno pepper: Adds a nice touch of heat. A lot of times, my kids can’t handle spice, so I skip it.
- Seasonings: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes: Use fresh or canned. If you have fire-roasted diced tomatoes, even better.
- Mild or medium salsa: Brings out the flavor of this tortilla soup, so try not to skip this.
- Cream cheese: You can also use lite cream cheese.
- OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar, sliced or diced jalapeños, chopped red onion, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
How to make vegetarian tortilla soup in a crockpot or slow cooker
- Start by prepping the vegetables; dice the onion and peppers. Drain and rinse the beans. Wash the lentils thoroughly under cold running water and set them aside.
- Except for cream cheese, combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours, until vegetables and lentils are cooked through and the soup is thick.
- Once done, remove the lid and mix in the cream cheese. Pour the soup into a large serving bowl.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve warm!
How to make in an instant pot
- Turn the Instant Pot on and add oil. Stir in the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Next, place all the ingredients into the pot, except for the cream cheese.
- Cover the pot with the lid, setting the valve to the sealing position. Then, cook on high for 15 minutes. Once the pot beeps, allow the pot to release pressure naturally.
- Unlock the lid and add the cream cheese. Stir well and serve with your favorite toppings.
How to make it on a stovetop
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or a soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in bell pepper and jalapeño, and cook, stirring constantly until slightly golden brown.
- Immediately pour in the broth. Add tomato sauce, salsa, beans, corn, and lentils.
- Stir in the spices, and mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer over low heat for 30-35 minutes until the lentils are tender and the soup is thick according to your liking.
- Once the soup is done, stir in cream cheese. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper, if needed.
- Pour the soup into bowls. Add sliced jalapeños, onion, and avocado.
- Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortilla strips, and cheddar cheese on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and enjoy!
Variations
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk instead of cream cheese for a dairy-free option.
- Extra Veggies: Make it even heartier by adding zucchini, carrots, or spinach.
- Add a Protein Boost: Stir in quinoa or chickpeas for some added protein.
- Non-Vegetarian: Add shredded chicken or ground turkey.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep and chop all the veggies a day before, then dump everything into the slow cooker the next day. It also reheats beautifully.
What If i don’t have lentils?
If you don’t have lentils, you can swap for another can of beans or cooked quinoa.
What if my soup is too thin?
Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes, or mash some beans/lentils to thicken naturally.
How long is tortilla soup good for?
Vegetarian tortilla soup will last in the fridge for about 4-5 days. Be sure to store it in a tightly sealed container. You can freeze this soup for up to 4 months.
How to store and reheat
- Storing: Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may freeze this vegetarian tortilla soup for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat single servings in the microwave for 60-90 seconds. You may reheat it on your stovetop in a small pot or saucepan. If the soup is too thick, you may add 1/4 cup of water or vegetable broth.
More Soup recipes to try
- Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup
- Cabbage Roll Soup
- Creamy Vegetable Soup
- Easy French Onion Soup
- Meatball Soup
- Middle Eastern Red Lentil Soup
- Homemade Tomato Rice Soup
- Beef Noodle Soup
- Vegan Lentil Soup
Creamy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup (Easy & Hearty)
This creamy vegetarian tortilla soup is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect for busy days when you want something warm and filling.
Video
Equipment
- Crock Pot
- Chef's knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, or avocado oil
- 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn, fresh, canned, or frozen
- 3/4 cup dried red lentils
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 red bell pepper, or green peppers, diced
- 3/4 cup salsa , use mild or spicy, or salsa verde
- 15 ounces black beans, one can, drained & rinsed
- 15 ounces red beans, one can, drained & rinsed
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or 2 fresh garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, use more for a spicier soup
- 1/2 cup light cream cheese, or any creamy cheese of choice, dairy-free works great too
- Salt and pepper, to taste
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
- crushed tortilla chips to garnish, or sliced avocado, sour cream, sliced or diced jalapeños, chopped red onion, shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Start by prepping the vegetables; dice the 1 medium onion and 1 red bell pepper.
- Drain and rinse the beans. (15 ounces black beans and 15 ounces red beans)
- Wash the 3/4 cup dried red lentils thoroughly under cold running water and set them aside.
For Slow-Cooker/crockpot directions:
- Into the slow cooker, add 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 jalapeno pepper (diced), onions, peppers, 1 cup corn, 3/4 cup salsa , 15 ounces tomato sauce , 1 teaspoon smoked paprika , 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth, and Salt and pepper. Toss everything together.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or on LOW for 7-8 hours, until vegetables and lentils are cooked through and the soup is thick.
- Once done, remove the lid and mix in the 1/2 cup light cream cheese.
- Pour the soup into a large serving bowl. Add your favorite toppings like crushed tortilla chips to garnish, and serve warm!
Notes
- Serving size: One bowl is about 2 cups
- Don’t forget to add the cream cheese at the very end
- You can use any oil of your choice for this tortilla soup
- Use your favorite beans. I used black and red beans.
- Use any creamy white cheese instead of heavy cream for a creamy, thick soup.
- Corn: fresh, canned, or frozen corn can be used.
- The cayenne pepper is optional; if kids will be eating this, I suggest you skip it. Add more if you prefer it to be spicier.
- To keep this vegetarian-friendly, use vegetable broth. Otherwise, you can use any broth.
- If you aren’t a vegetarian and would like to add some meat to this, try chicken or beef. You can use shredded chicken, or add a full chicken breast and shred it later after it is fully cooked.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 22gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 1022mgPotassium: 1177mgFiber: 21gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1523IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 6mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!
What size Crockpot is this for, please?
Hi Emily. It is a 5 quart
Can you use canned lentils?
Hi. I’ve never cooked with canned lentils, so I am not 100% sure on this. I assumed it should be ok. Since it is already cooked, I suggest you add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Consistency might change a bit.
This recipe is absolutely AMAZING!! My husband is a vegetarian, but my family isn’t so I cooked some ground beef on the side and put it in the rest of ours and it was so delicious! I used mango salsa for my salsa:) i was so happy to know that my husband was getting all the nutrients he needed as well with the lentils in it. I like to top mine with crushed tortilla chips, cheese, and green onions. I will be making this again!
Mango salsa sounds so amazing! Thanks for the feedback.
The was genuinely the BEST vegetarian soup ive ever had and im a meat eater. I used salsa verde, brown lentils, added cheddar cheese on top, and used tortilla scoops 😋 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! even my non vegetarian friends loved it. The flavors was perfect 👌🏻
So happy you loved it. Thanks for the feedback.
Made this last night as an easy summertime meal for game night since using the crockpot meant not having to stand over a hot stove. I loved that this recipe didn’t require any pre-sautéing and everything could just be dumped directly in the crockpot. It turned out fantastic. Served this soup with tortilla chips, avocado , and sour cream as toppings and a big hearty green salad. Everyone was very pleased.
Perfect! Glad you loved it.
Do you have the time range for cooking this recipe in an Instapot?
Thank you!
Hi. The Instant Pot instructions is on the post.
Made this for the first time for a family gathering and everyone loved it. My 22 year old son said it was the best soup I had ever made (and I make a lot of soup). Will definitely be making it again and doubling the recipe, as leftovers are a must.
Thats amazing. So glad you guys loved it.
Delicious!
Thanks! Glad you loved it.
This was actually, so delicious. I’m glad I made it.
So glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback
One of our favorite easy meals! I’ve made this countless times now and it turns out delicious every time.
Thank you, Emily. This makes me so happy. I really appreciate your time and feedback
I doubled the recipe and made only one change. I happened to have adzuki beans that I had presoaked from the night before, so I used those in place of the lentils in the same quantity. The recipe was a big hit with the whole family, including our teens who loved it and had seconds. Thank you for this new family favorite!
I am so glad. Yay!
This recipe was amazing & so easy to make! I forgot the red lentils so I had to add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up a little bit, but it turned out perfect!
Thanks for the feedback Sara. Glad you loved it.
Question. Can I use green lentils in this recipe? Looking forward to making it.
Hi there. Yes you can.
This was SOOOOO. good ! I made it exactly as written and ir was fabulous ! ❤️ I will be making it again.
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you loved it
Does the cream cheese have to be room temperature before adding?
It would help it melt faster but you don’t have to get it to room temperature
Hello,
I was wondering if we had to include the salsa? Or will it taste the same without it?
Hi Carol. If you don’t have any add some chopped tomatoes. The salsa will give it a unique taste but you can definitely improvise
Delicious, I was able to make it on the stove top 1.5 hours low flame, stirring it every20 minutes. . Added extra vegetable broth, 2 additionalcans of beans, 4 slices of jalapeño pepper, due to family preference. Slices avocados, chopped cilantro and a squeeze of a lemon. Yummy