This Alphabet Soup with Beef is comforting, hearty and delicious. The perfect meal on a cold Fall or Winter day.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Easy and Comforting Soups to Try
Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup (Ajiaco)
Alphabet Soup Recipe
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.
Velva
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
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Love the soup season! Your alphabet soup looks warming and soothing. I love it.
Ariadne Petrucelli
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
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz
Not sure I ever had an alphabet soup that did not come out of a can lol, yours looks so much better!
Belinda @zomppa
How fun and ready for the fall this soup is. Perfect season!
grace
this takes me back to childhood, though i doubt i would've appreciated such a delicious broth! 🙂
leidy
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..
Karen
We called it alphabet soup and we'd spell out words in the spoon 🙂
Norma - Platanos, Mangoes and Me!
Fun and I am sure the children love it.