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Want an easy to make tomato soup that’s better than canned? Learn how to make Mexican Tomato Soup with fresh-picked tomatoes, authentic Mexican spices, and coconut cream. This delicious Mexican soup has the perfect amount of heat from jalapenos.

Mexican tomato soup in a bowl with jalapeno and cilantro as garnish on and next to the bowl.

Mexican tomato soup is a combination of freshly cooked tomatoes with cumin, garlic, cilantro, onion, and lime juice simmered together. It makes a delicious soup that’s perfect for cold rainy days or any time you’re craving something warming but not too heavy.

To keep this soup vegan, the recipe uses creamy coconut milk and a pinch of sugar giving the soup a slightly sweet creamy texture.

Tomatoes have a natural umami flavor so they’re perfect for making a hearty soup without any meat! If you’re looking for another tomato soup variety, try my Fresh Tomato Basil Soup.

If you love hearty soups with meat, you might enjoy this hearty Texas Roadhouse Soup, Zuppa Soup, Lemon Rice Soup, and Instant Pot Clam Chowder.

However, if you prefer to stick with vegetable-based soups, you’re going to love Carrot and Chickpea Soup and Vegetable Chowder Recipe.

😊 Why you will love this recipe

  • Mexican tomato soup brings great flavor to the dinner table.
  • An easy recipe that goes together in right around 30 minutes.
  • A great recipe that you can easily adjust the spiciness to your tastes!

🛒 Ingredient Notes

All you need for a hearty bowl of soup are a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Let’s look at what goes into this Mexican soup recipe!

Mexican soup ingredients including yellow tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, vinegar, cilantro, lime, cumin, garlic and coconut cream along with a list typed.
  • Tomatoes: I suggest using either garden-fresh, red or yellow, organic Roma, or plum tomatoes if possible. When cooked, they create a thicker paste-like soup, not watery like other varieties of tomatoes. The color of the finished soup will depend on the color of the tomatoes you use.
  • Aromatics: Diced yellow onion and fresh garlic cloves add a depth of flavor to the base of the soup.
  • Mexican flavors: You will use fresh cilantro, diced jalapenos, cumin, and red pepper flakes to give this Mexican soup its flavor.
  • Creaminess: To make this vegan, use coconut milk with cream. This is the type of coconut milk that comes in a can, not in a carton with the milk you drink.
  • White vinegar and fresh lime juice: Added to the soup to give the soup some tart flavors to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

See the recipe card for a complete ingredient list and quantities for each ingredient.

The Easiest Method For Peeling Tomatoes

Learn the easiest way to peel fresh tomatoes with this step-by-step guide on how to peel tomatoes. It’s so easy you will be amazed! The best part is this method of peeling tomatoes helps eliminate extra watery juice from the tomatoes, so you end up with thick tomatoes. 

🔪 How to Make Mexican Soup

To make this Mexican soup, all you need to do is combine everything in a pot and cook! Let’s look at an overview of how to make Mexican soup. Check the recipe card for the full instructions.

  1. After peeling the tomatoes, combine all the ingredients in a medium stockpot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring continuously.
  2. Reduce heat, and simmer gently. Stir frequently so the tomatoes do not burn. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are very soft and starting to fall apart.
  3. Use an immersion blender and puree the soup until it is smooth.
  4. Serve with crushed red peppers and fresh chopped cilantro on top

Hint: Blending this soup is so easier with an immersion blender! I love mine and use it all the time.

How to Store

  • Leftovers: This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Allow thawing in the refrigerator overnight before heating.
  • Reheat: Place it in a saucepan over medium to medium-low heat. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking. You might need to add a touch of water or coconut milk to think out the soup a bit. You could also use regular milk if you prefer.
  • Can Soup for Long-Term Storage: If you have many tomatoes and would like to can a large batch of this soup, visit my post How to Can Soup. It would be best to follow this recipe, except do not add the coconut cream when cooking or during canning. Add it AFTER you open a jar of your soup base and are heating it to serve. Add one can of coconut cream per quart of Mexican Soup Base.

🔀 Variations

There is lots of flexibility when it comes to Mexican soup. Here are some of my favorite ways to change up serving this recipe.

  • Chicken: Add some shredded rotisserie chicken or sliced or shredded chicken breasts to the soup!
  • Chunky Mexican tomato soup: For a chunkier soup, blend only half the soup and then mix the two back together.
  • Milder version: Swap the jalapenos with green chiles for a milder version of Mexican tomato soup.
  • Make Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup): This recipe is the perfect base for fideo soup, a warm, comforting bowl of noodle soup. Make the recipe according to the instructions. After you blend the cooked soup with an immersion blender, return the soup to low heat. Add cooked fideo and allow to simmer for 10 more minutes, then serve.

Goya Fidelini Pasta, 7 Ounce

Tips For Making Mexican Tomato Soup Recipe

With a few simple tips, you can make fresh homemade tomato soup that is great tasting.

  • Be sure to use Roma or plum tomatoes; this will create a thicker base and give the soup the best flavor.
  • Blend well with an immersion blender. This will whip the ingredients and make a creamy soup texture.
  • Use canned coconut cream, not coconut milk. This will give your soup a more creamy texture.
  • If you like it extra creamy, you can add one-half cup of whipping cream or sour cream before blending the soup.

What to Serve with Mexican Tomato Soup

For a classic combo with a twist, grill some pepper jack grilled cheese sandwiches. They are perfect with this Mexican Tomato Soup.

Topping the Soup

Adding toppings to the soup are a great way to make it look fancier but also can add some texture or splashes of flavor.

  • Keep things simple: If you don’t want anything too elaborate, top the soup after it has been heated with a little bit of fresh chopped cilantro, diced chili peppers, some crushed red pepper flakes, or shake in a few dashes of hot sauce.
  • Add some more heat: My favorite way to add a little extra heat is to sprinkle some diced Pickled Jalapenos or Spicy Pico de Gallo on top of each bowl.
  • Extra creaminess: It would also be good to add a dollop of sour cream or to keep it vegan, this fresh Spicy Cashew Cream.
  • Want Mexican tortilla soup? Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips or make your own baked crispy tortilla strips using corn tortillas!
  • Lime wedges: Serve these up on the side for everyone to squeeze into their soup if they want! A burst of fresh lime juice makes this soup amazing.

Side Dish and Main Dish Parings

Here are some ideas for dishes to pair with this spicy soup recipe.

  • Mexican Rice Salad is the perfect budget-friendly salad bursting with flavor and is a hearty dish made with black beans, whole grain brown rice, and colorful veggies all tossed in a cilantro lime dressing.
  • Mexican Coleslaw combines shredded cabbage with cilantro, a little bit of spice and a touch of sweetness for an easy side dish.
  • Chicken Taquitos make a crunchy and tasty side dish! You can even dunk them in your soup!

Tips and Questions

How do you make tomato soup taste better?

To make tomato soup taste better, start with fresh tomatoes. Then cook them in a combination of savory spices and add in some garlic and onions. A pinch of sugar is also a trick to cooking fresh tomatoes, giving them a mellow smoother flavor. If you like your soup a bit spicy, try adding some jalapenos when cooking or shaking in some dried cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce.

Can I make Mexican soup in the slow cooker?

This recipe would be perfect for making in a crockpot. After you peel and cut the tomatoes, place them in a crockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours or until the tomatoes are very soft. Use your immersion to blend all the ingredients with the tomatoes and make the soup smooth and creamy.

A bowl of Mexican soup on the table with jalapeno and cilantro on top.

More Mexican Recipes and Party Ideas

Try these Easy Mexican Party Theme Ideas and Recipes; your friends and family will be raving about how clever you are for throwing such a great party!

It’s easy to host a Mexican Dinner Party that your friends and family will rave about. Get your Mexican Printable Party Pack and grab some recipes to get the party rolling!

I Want To Answer Your Questions & Hear Your Comments

Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.

gina in the kitchen cooking and image of dishes made by intentional hospitality
Mexican tomato soup in a bowl with jalapeno and cilantro on top.
5 from 2 ratings

Mexican Tomato Soup

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Make your own delicious fresh Mexican Tomato Soup by cooking together fresh-picked tomatoes, authentic Mexican spices, coconut cream, and then give it a little heat from some jalapenos.

Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.

Ingredients
 

  • 10 tomatoes, yellow Roma tomatoes or red Roma tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut milk , with cream
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 lime , juiced
  • 2 cloves garlic , fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 to 1 teaspoon pepper flakes

Instructions
 

Peel Tomatoes

  • Bring a large stockpot filled halfway with water to a boil.
  • Fill a large bowl with ice and water.
  • Remove any stickers and then wash the tomatoes.
  • Remove the stem and core with a paring knife.
  • Drop the tomatoes a few at a time into the boiling water.
  • Remove them after 30 seconds or when the skin begins to peel. Then gently drop them into the bowl of ice water.
  • Allow the tomatoes to sit in the ice bath for 3 or 4 minutes until chilled
  • The tomatoes will still be very firm, with the skin wrinkled and coming off the flesh. Gently rub off the tomato skin with your hands. Remove any stubborn pieces with a paring knife. Slice tomatoes in half.

Making The Soup

  • In a medium stockpot combine tomatoes and all other ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stir continuously.
  • Reduce heat, and simmer gently. Stir frequently so the tomatoes do not burn. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes or until the tomatoes are very soft, starting to fall apart.
  • Use an immersion blender and puree the soup until it is smooth.
  • Serve with crushed red peppers and fresh chopped cilantro on top

Notes

Note* This recipe is the perfect base for sopa de fideo, a warm, comforting bowl of noodle soup. Make the recipe according to the instructions. After you blend the cooked soup with an immersion blender, return the soup to low heat. Add cooked fideo and allow to simmer 10 more minutes, then serve.
  • Be sure and use Roma or plum tomatoes; this will create a thicker base.
  • Blend well with an immersion blender. This will whip the ingredients and make a creamy soup texture.
  • Use canned coconut cream, not coconut milk. This will give your soup a more creamy texture.
  • If you like it extra creamy, you can add one-half cup of whipping cream or sour cream before blending the soup.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Sodium: 613mg, Potassium: 992mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 2757IU, Vitamin C: 58mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 4mg
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Soup
Author: Gina Dickson

⭐️ One last thing, please leave a rating and comment letting me know how you liked making this recipe. This helps me provide more free, high-quality recipes for everyone.

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This recipe post was originally published in February 2021 and was republished in August 2022 with new images and content.

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