Fiesta Stoup

Veggies + Meat + Spices = Party in your mouth. But don't try eating it without cheese. Then it's not nearly as much fun.

Fiesta: party or celebration... derived from the Latin word for feast...

Stoup: thicker than soup... thinner than stew...

And that's exactly what this spicy, meat and veggie-rich soup/stew is: a party in your mouth.

But don't try eating it without cheese. Then it's not nearly as much fun.

This stoup comes together in minutes with three easy main ingredients: a bag of frozen sliced bell peppers and onions, a can of diced tomatoes, and shredded meat. I usually use leftover beef roast or pork roast. If I'm really craving this stoup, I'll bake a couple frozen chicken breasts and shred them.

I've been making this stoup for so long, I can't even remember how I first came up with the idea. But I do know what keeps me making it:

✔ Delicious!
✔ Quick and easy to make
✔ Minimal prep with recipe-ready ingredients
✔ Repurpose leftover roast beef, roast pork, or chicken
✔ Keeps and reheats really well! I make a double batch and eat it for lunch all week.
✔ Super nutritious: fiber (from veggies), protein (from meat and cheese), and phytonutrients (from veggies and spices)
✔ Very low carb
✔ Easily customizable: cut back on the chipotle and cayenne peppers for less heat; add a can of pinto beans (drained and rinsed); the variations are endless

Fiesta Stoup

Ingredients

1 cup chicken broth (or 1 cup water + bouillon/soup base)
14 oz bag frozen sliced bell peppers and onions (like Birds Eye® Pepper Stir-Fry)
14 oz can petite diced tomatoes (with juice)
2 cups cooked, shredded beef roast, pork roast, or chicken (approx. ½ pound)

2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon ground oregano
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne red pepper
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
salt to taste

1 tablespoon lime juice

Co-jack cheese, sliced or shredded (I love the convenience of Land O'Lakes® Co-Jack Snack Cheese.)

Optional Accompaniments: sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips

Directions

Combine broth and frozen vegetables in medium pot. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are hot.

While vegetables are heating, combine spices in small bowl.

Add tomatoes, shredded meat, and spices to vegetables. Mix well to distribute spices. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to combine flavors.

Remove from heat and stir in lime juice.

Serve with cheese. I like to take a bite of Co-Jack Snack Cheese and follow it with a bite of Fiesta Stoup. It's just as good if you top the hot stoup with shredded cheese and let it melt.

I am a Land O'Lakes Cooperative member-owner; I did not receive compensation from Land O'Lakes for this post. I have no affiliation with Birds Eye or Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, nor did I receive compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.