Sopa de Fideo con Frijoles y Carne Molida

Sopa de Fideo con Frijoles y Carne Molida is a comforting Mexican-style soup made with toasted vermicelli noodles, seasoned ground beef, tender beans, and a flavorful tomato-based broth. It is inexpensive, filling, and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy family lunch or dinner. The combination of toasted noodles, savory beef, beans, and aromatic spices gives every spoonful plenty of flavor.

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 7 oz (200 g) fideo noodles or thin vermicelli
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 5 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced, optional
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Optional Toppings

• Diced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Diced onion
• Crumbled queso fresco
• Sliced jalapeños
• Mexican crema
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped fresh tomatoes

Directions

1. Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Continue until the beef is browned and no longer pink.

If there is a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain some of it from the pot.

2. Add the Aromatics

Add the chopped onion to the browned beef.

Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.

3. Add the Tomatoes

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.

Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down.

4. Toast the Fideo

Push the beef mixture toward the sides of the pot.

Add the vegetable oil if the pot looks dry, then add the fideo noodles.

Toast them for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.

The noodles should turn lightly golden and smell nutty.

Be careful not to burn them because thin fideo noodles toast quickly.

5. Add the Broth

Slowly pour in the beef or chicken broth.

Stir everything together, making sure the toasted noodles are separated.

6. Add the Vegetables and Seasonings

Add the diced carrot and potato if using.

Stir in:

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Bay leaf

Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

7. Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for approximately 10–15 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

The noodles should become tender while the potatoes and carrots cook until fork-tender.

8. Add the Beans

Stir in the drained pinto beans.

Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, allowing the beans to warm through and absorb some of the flavorful broth.

If the soup becomes too thick, add another ½–1 cup of broth or water.

9. Finish the Soup

Remove the bay leaf.

Stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.

Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or chili powder according to your preference.

Let the soup rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Ladle the hot Sopa de Fideo into bowls and add your favorite toppings.

A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro add a bright contrast to the rich broth.

Serve with:

• Warm corn tortillas
• Mexican bread
• Avocado
• Queso fresco
• Fresh salsa
• Pickled jalapeños

Tips for the Best Sopa de Fideo

Toast the noodles: This is one of the most important steps. Lightly toasted fideo develops a deeper, nuttier flavor.

Don’t overcook the noodles: Fideo continues absorbing broth as it sits. Cook until just tender.

Use lean or regular ground beef: If using beef with higher fat content, drain some of the excess grease after browning.

Adjust the broth: If the soup becomes too thick, simply add more broth.

Add lime at the end: Fresh lime juice brightens the soup without overpowering the other flavors.

Make it spicy: Add jalapeño, serrano pepper, chipotle, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Variations

Chicken Fideo Soup

Replace the ground beef with shredded cooked chicken.

Turkey Fideo Soup

Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version.

Spicy Beef Fideo

Add one finely chopped jalapeño with the onion and increase the chili powder.

Cheesy Fideo Soup

Add shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese blend just before serving.

Vegetable Fideo Soup

Skip the meat and add zucchini, corn, green beans, and extra carrots.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This soup can be prepared ahead of time, but the noodles will continue absorbing liquid as they sit.

If making it ahead, prepare the soup slightly more brothy than you normally would.

When reheating, add additional broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.

Storage

Allow the soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Add a splash of broth when reheating if the noodles have absorbed too much liquid.

Freezing Instructions

Because fideo noodles can become softer after freezing and reheating, freezing the soup is best done without the noodles.

If you plan to freeze it, prepare the beef, beans, vegetables, and broth without adding the fideo.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to serve, thaw the soup, bring it to a simmer, and add freshly toasted fideo noodles. Cook until tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fideo?

Fideo is a thin Mexican noodle, similar to vermicelli. It is commonly toasted before being cooked in soups, which gives it a distinctive nutty flavor.

Can I use vermicelli instead?

Yes. Thin vermicelli noodles are a good substitute if traditional fideo isn’t available.

Can I use black beans instead of pinto beans?

Absolutely. Black beans, kidney beans, or even cannellini beans can be used.

Why did my noodles absorb all the broth?

Fideo noodles absorb liquid quickly, especially as the soup cools. Add extra broth or water when reheating to restore the soup’s consistency.

Can I make it without ground beef?

Yes. You can omit the meat completely or replace it with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or additional beans.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Category: Soup / Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

This Sopa de Fideo con Frijoles y Carne Molida is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. Toasted fideo noodles, seasoned ground beef, creamy beans, and vegetables come together in a savory tomato broth for a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.