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Bowl of Crockpot Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup with Quinoa garnished with avocado and cilantro on a wooden table

Crockpot Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup with Quinoa

Crockpot Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup with Quinoa is one of my go-to recipes when I need big, bold flavors and minimal effort. This slow cooker recipe takes just 10 minutes of prep and delivers a hearty, smoky, and spicy soup that’s packed with healthy ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 poblano pepper diced
  • 2 jalapeños seeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2-3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo finely chopped
  • 1 28 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for serving
  • Tortilla chips diced mango, sliced avocado, feta, and yogurt, for serving

Method
 

  1. In your crockpot, combine the onion, poblano, jalapeños, garlic, cumin, oregano, vegetable broth, tomatoes, and chipotle peppers. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the quinoa.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4-6 hours. If the soup turns out thicker than you like, add a splash of additional broth to thin it out.
  3. Before serving, stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
  4. Ladle the soup into bowls, then add your favorite toppings: tortilla chips for crunch, mango for sweetness, creamy avocado, crumbled feta, and yogurt for a tangy finish. Enjoy!
  5. Instant Pot Variation: Combine all ingredients (except lime juice and cilantro) in your Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, then release pressure naturally or quickly. Stir in lime juice and cilantro before serving.

Notes

Spice control: Like it milder? Use only one chipotle pepper, or skip the jalapeños altogether.