Description
A warm and hearty fish soup that combines flavorful roasted red bell peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, creamy butter beans, and tender chunks of tilapia. This budget-friendly soup is perfect for a comforting family meal with just the right balance of spices and fresh herbs to elevate its taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Base
- 1 onion (9.5 oz.), large dice
- ¼ cabbage (1.5 cups), chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
Canned Items
- 2 x 14.5 oz. cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 x 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup roasted red peppers (about half a 12 oz. jar), diced
- 1 x 16 oz. can butter beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids
- 5 cups water
Fish and Seasonings
- 2 frozen tilapia filets, defrosted and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced (about 2 Tbsp)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients
Gather all ingredients required for the recipe. Defrost the frozen tilapia filets according to package instructions — this can be done overnight in the refrigerator or quickly in cold water. - Sauté Vegetables
Dice the onion, chop the cabbage, and mince the garlic. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the onion, cabbage, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, cumin, and bay leaf. Sauté the vegetables for 5-8 minutes until softened and glossy. - Build the Soup Base
Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, diced roasted red bell peppers, and butter beans. Stir to combine. - Simmer the Soup
Pour in the water and bring the mixture up to a simmer. Let the soup cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and all flavors to meld together. - Cook the Fish
Slice the tilapia filets into 1-inch cubes. Add the tilapia to the simmering soup and let it cook for 5 minutes. The fish will turn perfectly white and firm without being overcooked. - Finalize and Serve
Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley, cilantro, and lime juice. Adjust the seasoning by adding more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the soup hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For convenience and enhanced flavor, jarred roasted red bell peppers are a great option, as they eliminate the need for roasting fresh peppers at home.
- Tilapia is a budget-friendly fish option, but you can substitute it with other mild white fish such as cod or catfish.
- Leftover tilapia from a large bag can be saved for other dishes, making this soup even more economical.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 155kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15ga
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
