🍲 Introduction
Sopa Tarasca is a traditional Mexican soup that originates from the state of Michoacán. The name of the dish honors the indigenous Purépecha people, historically referred to as “Tarascos”.
This comforting soup is typically prepared with bayo beans, a variety of Mexican beans known for their delicate flavor and creamy texture. The soup combines beans with tomato, chicken broth and dried chiles, and is served with crispy tortilla strips, fried pasilla chile, queso fresco and cream.
Sopa Tarasca is a rich and satisfying dish that beautifully represents the flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine.
🫘 What Are Bayo Beans?
Bayo beans are a variety of light brown Mexican beans with a smooth texture and mild flavor. They are widely used in Mexican cooking to prepare soups, stews, and refried beans.
Their creamy consistency makes them ideal for dishes like Sopa Tarasca.
⏱ Preparation time: 40 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6 people
🧾 Ingredients
4 cups cooked bayo beans
4 ripe tomatoes
½ cup thinly sliced onion
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2.5 cups chicken broth
250 g queso fresco
8 tablespoons fresh cream or Mexican crema
4 dried pasilla chiles
8 corn tortillas
salt and pepper to taste
👩🍳 Preparation
1️⃣ Prepare the tortilla strips
Cut the corn tortillas into thin strips.
Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden and crispy.
Transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil and set aside.
2️⃣ Prepare the pasilla chiles
Clean the pasilla chiles by removing the seeds and veins.
Cut them into thin strips.
Quickly fry them in hot oil for a few seconds until fragrant.
Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Prepare the soup base
Remove the skin and seeds from the tomatoes and cut into medium pieces.
In a pot heat the oil and sauté:
- sliced onion
- garlic
Add the tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes.
4️⃣ Prepare the soup
Blend the bayo beans with a small amount of chicken broth until smooth.
Add the bean mixture to the pot with the tomatoes.
Cook on low heat for 10 minutes.
Add the remaining chicken broth and cook for another 10 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
🍽 Serving
Serve the soup very hot and garnish with:
- crispy tortilla strips
- fried pasilla chile strips
- crumbled queso fresco
- a spoonful of fresh cream
💡 Tips for Best Results
✔ Extra smooth texture
Blend the soup before serving for a creamier consistency.
✔ More flavor
Add a little epazote or fresh cilantro to the broth.
✔ Vegetarian version
Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
✔ Spicier version
Add extra pasilla chile or a pinch of chile de árbol.
🛒 Mexican Ingredients Used in This Recipe
To prepare this recipe with authentic flavors, you can find in our store:
- Mexican beans
- dried Mexican chiles
- corn tortillas
- traditional Mexican ingredients
👉 All these authentic Mexican ingredients are available at ByLauPereira, with delivery across Portugal.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sopa Tarasca?
Sopa Tarasca is a traditional Mexican bean soup from the state of Michoacán made with beans, tomatoes and dried chiles.
What beans are used in Sopa Tarasca?
Traditionally the soup is prepared with bayo beans, although other Mexican beans can also be used.
Can Sopa Tarasca be frozen?
Yes. The soup can be frozen for up to two months.
Where can I buy Mexican ingredients in Portugal?
You can find Mexican beans, dried chiles and corn tortillas in the ByLauPereira online store, with delivery across Portugal.
🌶 Discover More Mexican Flavors
Explore more authentic Mexican recipesin our recipes section or visit the ByLauPereira blog to learn more about Mexican ingredients and culinary traditions.