Are you looking for a healthy and delicious soup? Look no further than 1 Cup Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup (Sopa / Caldo De Res)! This soup has a perfect blend of tender beef and fresh vegetables that will surely satisfy your cravings. And the best part? It only has 143 calories per cup, making it an ideal choice for weight watchers.

Apart from its delicious taste, this soup also offers numerous nutritional benefits. One cup of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup provides 14 grams of protein, 18% of your daily fiber needs, and 70% of your daily vitamin C needs. It is also low in fat and cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy choice.

In this article, we'll explore some practical tips and strategies for making and serving this wholesome soup so that you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Overview of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup is a classic soup that is popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a hearty and nutritious soup made with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. The soup has a rich and savory flavor that is sure to warm you up on a cold day. The soup is typically made with beef shank, which is slow-cooked for hours to tenderize the meat and release its natural flavor. The vegetables used in the soup may vary, but commonly include potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, corn, and zucchini. The spices used in the soup include cumin, oregano, and bay leaves, which give the soup its distinctive flavor. Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a starter. It is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve something hearty and delicious.

Ingredients used in Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

To make Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound beef shank (cut into small cubes)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 carrots (chopped)
• 2 potatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 1 zucchini (chopped)
• 1 can corn (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Most of these ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store, and you can make substitutions depending on your taste preferences.

Preparation of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

Here's how you can make Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup at home:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.
2. Add the onions and garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the carrots, potatoes, and zucchini to the pot and sauté for another 5 minutes.
4. Return the beef to the pot and add the beef broth, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1 hour.
6. Add the corn and diced tomatoes to the pot and let it simmer for another 15 minutes.
7. Remove the bay leaves and serve hot.

This recipe makes 6 servings of soup, and you can easily double or triple the recipe if you want to make a larger batch.

Nutritional value of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

One cup of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup (240 ml) contains:

• calories: 143
• Protein: 14 g
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Vitamin C: 70% of the daily value (DV)
• Iron: 9% of the DV
• Calcium: 2% of the DV

The soup is low in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and high in protein and fiber, making it a healthy and satisfying meal option.

Health benefits of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup is not only delicious but also offers several health benefits, including:

• Improving digestion: The soup is high in fiber, which can help regulate digestion and prevent constipation.
• Boosting immunity: The soup is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
• Providing essential nutrients: The soup contains protein, iron, and several other nutrients that are vital for optimal health.
• Reducing inflammation: Some of the spices used in the soup, such as cumin and oregano, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body.

By incorporating Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup into your diet, you can enjoy these health benefits and more.

Ways to serve Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

There are several ways to serve Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup, including:

• As a standalone meal: The soup is hearty enough to be enjoyed on its own as a main course. Serve it with some crusty bread or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
• As a starter: Serve a smaller portion of the soup as an appetizer before the main course.
• With a salad: Pair the soup with a fresh salad for a well-rounded and healthy meal.
• With rice: Serve the soup over a bed of rice for a more substantial meal.

No matter how you serve it, Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Variations of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

While the classic Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup recipe is delicious as it is, you can also make some variations to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas to try:

• Add beans: Black beans or kidney beans can be added to the soup to make it more filling and flavorful.
• Use different vegetables: You can use any vegetables you like in the soup, such as celery, green beans, or squash.
• Make it spicy: Add some jalapeno peppers or chili powder to the soup if you like it spicy.
• Use different meat: Instead of beef, you can use chicken or pork to make the soup.

These variations can provide a unique twist to the classic recipe and make it even more delicious.

Storage tips for Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

If you have leftovers of Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To do so, transfer the soup to an airtight container and refrigerate it as soon as possible. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months if you want to save it for later. To freeze, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container and freeze it as soon as possible.

Tips for making Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

Here are some tips to keep in mind when making Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup:

• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients will enhance the flavor of the soup and provide more nutrients.
• Don't overcook the meat: Simmer the meat until it is just tender; overcooking it can result in tough meat.
• Adjust seasoning to taste: Taste the soup as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
• Add water if necessary: If the soup becomes too thick, you can add some water to thin it out.

By following these tips, you can make a delicious and nutritious soup every time.

Popular accompaniments for Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup

Mexican Style Beef Vegetable Soup pairs well with several accompaniments, including:

• Crusty bread or tortilla chips
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream or plain yogurt
• Cilantro or parsley
• Rice or quinoa

These accompaniments can add more flavor and texture to the soup and make it even more enjoyable.