This post was sponsored by Le Creuset and Simply Organic, but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.
Have you ever made a soup so good and hearty that you could eat it every day? This is how I felt when this creation entered my kitchen! Move over vegan tortilla soup, there’s a new guy in town. Both healthy and flavorful, this tequila lime soup will be your new Mexican favorite!
When I got the email from Le Creuset about working together, I was thrilled. I LOVE LOVE their products. They are so well made, work fantastic, and the brand itself is solid in customer service. I have had a dutch oven on my radar for quite some time, so when I got the opportunity to work with one for this job, it was a no brainer. Not only does it look amazing in my kitchen, I am OBSESSED with it. Seriously, I use it multiple times a week! (pssst, check out the surprise before the recipe!)
Preparing your food in a dutch oven just takes it to a whole new level. The flavors are amazing when you let them develop over time, especially in this vegan chickpea soup. Enter Simply Organic spices. Has anyone ever done a side by side comparison with an average spice brand and Simply Organic? I have. I used to buy spices from another brand because of the price point. I never thought about there being a difference. Then one day they were out of my spice, so I bought that spice from another grocery store, which carries mostly the Simply Organic brand. Fast forward to the next day when I used it. Just the aroma itself caught me off guard. It was so much more pungent! Simply Organic is hands down one of the best. Pair them with the Le Creuset brand cookware and we’re talking food heaven.
So back to my vegan chickpea soup. The base itself is quite simplistic actually. The key is dried chickpeas (just soak for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight), the Simply Organic spices and the dutch oven where flavors marinate and become incredible. Of course you can make this in a regular soup pot, but the flavors won’t be as deep and intense. Once the simple soup base is done, load it with fresh ingredients like avocado, tomato and cilantro and DIG IN. Try to take a breath from time to time.
Why you need tequila lime soup in your life:
- a fun twist to the average vegan tortilla soup
- the flavors are unique and so tasty, not your average vegan chickpea soup
- chock full of healthy ingredients so it’s a one pot meal
- dinner for the entire family, puree it for the littles
- perfect cozy meal
- ½ cup diced red pepper
- ½ cup diced green pepper
- ½ cup diced sweet onion
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- ½ cup tequila make sure it’s vegan to keep this vegan
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon cumin Simply Organic brand
- ¼ teaspoon coriander Simply Organic brand
- 1/8 - ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder Simply Organic brand, less if you don’t like spice
- 1 ½ teaspoons Himalayan pink salt divided (see instructions, may need less depending on broth used)
- 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas soaked overnight (or for at least 4 hours in hot water)
- 6 cups veggie broth plus some to sauté (or your favorite oil, see note)
- Corn tortillas sliced into thin strips (½-1 per serving)
- Avocado chopped (¼-½ per serving)
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh tomatoes
- Fresh lime juice
- Hot sauce
- Preheat oven to 300 if using a Dutch oven.
- Saute peppers, onions and garlic over medium heat until just soft with only ½ teaspoon of the salt and using broth to sauté (or oil if using oil) until they just begin to get soft.
- Add tequila, lime juice and cilantro. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, it took me about 7-10 minutes.
- Add spices, the rest of the salt, and the pre-soaked chickpeas and mix for about a minute. Then add the broth.
- Bring it to a simmer, then if using the dutch oven, cover it and put it in the pre-heated oven and allow it to slowly cook for 45-60 minutes. Check at 45 minutes and if the chickpeas aren’t soft yet allow it to cook longer. You can leave it up to 60 minutes to allow it to gain more flavor.
- If you are using a regular soup pot, then once the soup starts simmering, turn heat to low and allow it to slowly cook, covered, for 30-60 minutes. Start checking at 30 to make sure you don’t overcook the chickpeas. You can cook it up to 60 minutes as long as your chickpeas don’t get too soft.
- Once the soup is done, put tortilla strips in a bowl then pour soup over the top so they can soak and get soft. Top with fresh toppings of choice and enjoy! You can also puree it using an immersion blender (or regular blender once cooled) for younger kids or if you have leftovers to make it a little different the next day. It was delicious whole and in pureed form!
The chipotle powder adds a nice flavor to this soup, but feel free to omit or only put a dash if you don’t like spice. Or if you do, feel free to add more. Depending on the type of broth you use, you may need more or less salt. You can sub some of the broth with water, but remember this may not make your soup as flavorful. If you forget to soak the chickpeas (like I often do) you can also boil them for 20 minutes before using. This soup is designed to cook over a long period of time in order for the flavors to marinate and develop, so the chickpeas will have plenty of time to cook. If you find that they need more time, then cook the soup longer.
Tips to prep ahead: Soak chickpeas, chop/dice ingredients.
Baby/kid food idea: Puree the soup for kids of all ages to enjoy. Make sure to leave out the spice for the younger kids.
Erin T says
I would use it to make soup, or really anything since most of our meals are so big!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha!! I bet. Sauces are great in them too!
Teresa says
This soup sounds great! I would love to make this soup in a brand new dutch oven 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! Good luck!!
Jenny says
Soups, stews, chili, sauces! I’ve wanted a Dutch oven for so long now, this is such a beautiful one, too!
veggiesdontbite says
It’s such a great tool!!
Samantha Muñoz says
My meat eating husband always loves the food I make from your site. Can’t wait to try this soup!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe! That makes my day!! Thank you!!
Greg @ Full of Beans says
This looks like an intensely awesome sauce and a giveaway!? I’m in! We love our dutch oven and the only thing better is another one! ?
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! HA! I love that you have one!!
Samantha says
Love the name of the color “Caribbean”….such a pretty color too. I’d use it to make this Mexican Tequila Lime Chickpea Soup…..I’m actually considering making it tomorrow since I have all the ingredients and it looks so delicious. I love Simply Organic’s – Chili Powder, I use it in all my cooking, it really gives my chili’s a great bold flavor, I won’t use anything else since I found it earlier this year.
veggiesdontbite says
Isn’t it a pretty name?? It looks just like the sea too! I agree about the Simply Organic! Best flavors!
Aimee Holladay says
Yum!! This looks so good. I’ve never owned a Dutch oven. This one looks amazing. I would make a big pot of chili for football Saturday’s 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! Chili for football is the best!
Stephanie says
I would love to use it to bake artisan bread.
veggiesdontbite says
I’m loving this bread idea!!
Nicole says
I love Simply Organic spices. Can’t wait to try this soup!
veggiesdontbite says
Me too! They make such a difference!
Erin says
I would love this!!!! I don’t have a Dutch oven yet, but this veggie mama would love one! What a great bundle of prizes! My favorite brand of spices. Thanks!!!
veggiesdontbite says
It’s my favorite brand too! I’m doing some more work with Simply Organic soon too so keep an eye out!
Vanessa Croessmann says
OMG, Sophia! This soup was meant to be in my life! I’m such a tequila girl and anyone who puts it into a food is straight from heaven. I can’t wait to make this!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha!! Me too Vanessa!! Margaritas are so yummy and so I put the leftover tequila in soup! LOL!
Martha Neely says
I love stocking my freezer with homemade soups! I need this dutch oven and the yummy spices!
veggiesdontbite says
Stocking the freezer is the best!!
Ann-Marie says
This sounds delicious. My husband won’t eat anything with cumin in it, any recommendations of how to substitute? I’ve tried to only use a little in some recipes, but he can always taste & smell it!
veggiesdontbite says
LOL!! My parents hate it too. You could try adding a little chili powder if you wanted? But definitely start small, like 1 teaspoon at a time. There isn’t really a great for cumin but the chili powder and other spices in here will still be good. Let me know what you do!
Angela says
Oh I can’t wait to try this recipe! Tequila and tortilla soup, my two favorites!
And I’ve had a Dutch oven on my list for so long now. I always love using the one at my moms house. Need my own.
veggiesdontbite says
Two of my faves too!! Hope that little guy is amazing!
Angie Jerde says
I would definitely use it for yummy soups/chilis especially during the fall season! Thanks for the great giveaway : )
veggiesdontbite says
The soups and chilis are the best!
Liz says
This soup looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it! I’m on a tight budget with school right now, so the Dutch oven would be such a wonderful kitchen treat! And you can never have too many quality spices!
veggiesdontbite says
Quality spices are key to great food!!
Denise L says
I’d use it to make chili, potato soup, pot roast…not all at the same time of course!
veggiesdontbite says
I love chili and potato soup!!
Julie says
That soup looks legit! I’ve wanted a le crueset Dutch oven for years, they really are a thing of beauty ?
veggiesdontbite says
They are so beautiful!!
Cheyenne says
I would use the Dutch oven to help me along with my transition into vegan lifestyle by cooking lots of soups and stews this fall, to start. 🙂 I know my 4 yr old and 1 yr old would love the food!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe! So awesome. My littles love soup!
Sarah says
For chili this fall!!
veggiesdontbite says
Love chili on a cold day!! YUM!
Lori says
I’m dying to try this recipe. I love anything that’s tequila & lime, lol. Thanks for the opportunity to try and win the Dutch oven. I’ve always wanted to own Le Creuset, but the practical side of me would never allow me to spend the money.
veggiesdontbite says
I love it too!! Tequila gives such a great flavor!
Vegan Heaven says
This soup looks so delicious and comforting, Sophia!! Perfect for fall! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Sina!
Valencia @ Life of a Vegaholic says
I love the color of the Dutch oven. Blue is my favorite color. Haha! I’ve heard of a Dutch oven, but never knew what to use it for. This soup sounds amazing and I love chickpeas. I’ve been using them a lot lately.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much! I love chickpeas too!
Cindy says
I don’t have any tequila, any thoughts on a sub for it? The soup last oks delicious!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Cindy!! Yes, just use broth. The tequila makes an amazing flavor when cooked off during sautéing so if you ever get some try it with that too!