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    My Colombian Recipes » Recipes » Main Dishes » Best Alphabet Soup (sopa De Letras)

    Best Alphabet Soup (Sopa de Letras)

    Oct 17, 2022 · Modified: Apr 18, 2023 by Erica Dinho · 9 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Alphabet Soup with Beef is comforting, hearty and delicious. The perfect meal on a cold Fall or Winter day.

    The Best Alphabet SoupPin

    When the summer comes to an end and the weather begins to change, I start craving foods that keep me warm, like soups and stews. There is an incredible variety of stews and soups in Colombian cuisine that I just love!

    Alphabet Soup 683x1024Pin

    One of the soups that I have been craving lately is my mom's simple Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup). I grew up eating this soup, although as a child, I hated most soups. The only soup I ate without complaining was this alphabet soup. So, my mom made it at least once per week using different kind of meats.

    ALPHABET SOUP RECIPE 683x1024Pin

    Recipe Ingredients

    This soup recipe is filled with vegetables, pasta, beef and spices. Everything you need in an filling and comforting soup. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

    Beef: You can use chuck roast or any beef for stew cut into small pieces.

    Aliños Sauce: Here is the link to make my recipe for Colombian aliños a seasoning paste made with onions, scallions, garlic, bell pepper, cumin and color.

    Vegetables: I used peas and diced carrots for this alphabet soup recipe, but feel free to add green beans or your favorite vegetables to this soup.

    Pasta: This soup is made with a pasta that is shaped with the letters of the alphabet. But feel free to use any small pasta if you don't find it.

    Spices: Cumin and color or achiote to give a beautiful color to the soup.

    Herbs: I like to add cilantro to garnish my soups, but if you are not a fan, just replace it with fresh parsley.

    Alphabet Soup Ingredients 725x1024Pin

    Step by Step Instructions

    • Place the beef in a medium pot and add the water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the pasta and cilantro.
    • Cook for about 45 minutes or until beef is completely tender. Add the pasta and cilantro to the soup. Cook for about 8 minutes more. Serve hot with lime and avocado on the side.
    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin

    Tips & Variations

    This alphabet soup is cozy and comforting, easy and crowd-pleasing. This is one of those soups you just can’t stop eating. I like to served it with lime wedges and avocado on the side.

    This soup is versatile and you can replace the beef for chicken, pork or just omit the beef for meatless meal.

    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin

    If you have kids, I highly recommend this soup. It is easy to make and incredibly delicious and kids love the alphabet pasta shape. I used beef this time, but you could also use chicken, pork, meatballs or even chick peas, white beans or tofu for a vegetarian version.

    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin

    Storing Instructions

    Store the leftover soup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.

    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin

    More Easy and Comforting Soups to Try

    Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup (Ajiaco)

    Lentils and Chorizo Soup

    Creamy Corn Soup

    Meatballs and Rice Soup

    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin
    Sopa de Letras con Carne (Alphabet Soup)Pin

    Alphabet Soup Recipe

    Erica Dinho
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Colombian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 409 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound of beef for stew diced
    • 8 cups water
    • ½ cup aliños sauce
    • ½ cup diced carrots
    • ½ cup peas
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • Salt and pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon Achiote or color
    • ½ cup dried alphabet pasta
    • 5 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • Lime and avocado for serving

    Instructions
     

    • Place the beef in a medium pot and add the water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the pasta and cilantro.
    • Cook for about 45 minutes or until beef is completely tender. Add the pasta and cilantro to the soup. Cook for about 8 minutes more. Serve hot with lime and avocado on the side.

    Notes

    *Store this alphabet soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
    *If you want a vegetarian version, feel free to use chickpeas or white beans instead of beef.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 34gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 508mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2860IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword alphabet soup
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mycolombianrecipes and tag #mycolombianrecipes!

    More Soups Recipes

    Sopa De Letras Con Pollo (Alphabet And Chicken Soup)Red Bean Soup With Beef And PumpkinColombian Meatball Soup (Sancocho De Albóndigas)Sancocho De Pescado (Colombian Fish Soup)Sancocho Costeño (Atlantic Coast Sancocho)
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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    Author Page →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Velva

      September 22, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      I am definitely a soup/stew girl as the cool weather approaches. This Colombian alphabet soup is delightful and would be perfect for kids.

      Velva

      Reply
    2. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      September 23, 2013 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      Love the soup season! Your alphabet soup looks warming and soothing. I love it.

      Reply
    3. Ariadne Petrucelli

      September 23, 2013 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Dear Erica,
      I love your blog. I was born in Colombia and raised in the states since I was 2. However at 13 we moved back to Medellin until I was 16. I have a great love for all things Colombian. For years there has been such a void of knowledge about Colombian food. I am so happy you are helping share about Colombian food. There's another Colombian gal who has published some really nice books named: Patricia McCausland-Gallo.
      I have a blog about travel, food, life, dogs, etc. I hope you enjoy it.
      thelabyrinthguide.wordpress
      Ariadne Petrucelli

      Reply
    4. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz

      September 23, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      Not sure I ever had an alphabet soup that did not come out of a can lol, yours looks so much better!

      Reply
    5. Belinda @zomppa

      September 23, 2013 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      How fun and ready for the fall this soup is. Perfect season!

      Reply
    6. grace

      September 25, 2013 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      this takes me back to childhood, though i doubt i would've appreciated such a delicious broth! 🙂

      Reply
    7. leidy

      September 25, 2013 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      I really like you blog. I was born in Colombia and i raised during the most part of my life.. i really love all Colombia food and you recipes make me easy to cook each one. I spend the most part of my weekends to cook some of Colombia food but now i can cook different foods..

      Reply
    8. Karen

      September 26, 2013 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      We called it alphabet soup and we'd spell out words in the spoon 🙂

      Reply
    9. Norma - Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

      September 28, 2013 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      Fun and I am sure the children love it.

      Reply

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    Erica Dinho Author | My Colombian Recipes

    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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