Creamy Chile Relleno Soup (Printable)
Creamy soup with roasted poblanos, melted cheese blend, and aromatic spices inspired by classic Mexican flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large poblano peppers
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small russet potato, peeled and diced
→ Dairy
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
→ Broth & Seasonings
09 - 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Crumbled queso fresco (optional)
18 - Tortilla strips (optional)
# How-to Steps:
01 - Roast the poblano peppers over an open flame or under a broiler until the skins are charred and blistered on all sides. Place in a bowl, cover, and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, remove seeds and stems, and chop the flesh.
02 - In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Add diced potato, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using). Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until potatoes are just tender.
05 - Add chopped poblano peppers and simmer for 5 minutes more.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with cilantro, queso fresco, and tortilla strips, if desired.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- Its all the comfort of chile rellenos in a fraction of the time and effort
- The roasted poblano flavor deepens as it sits, so leftovers taste even better the next day
- That creamy, smoky, slightly spicy combination is somehow both cozy and exciting
02 -
- Never add sour cream while the soup is still bubbling hot or it will separate and look curdled
- The soup will thicken as it cools, so you might want to thin leftovers with a splash of milk or broth
- Roasting peppers directly on a gas burner is faster than broiling, but both methods work perfectly
03 -
- Wear gloves when handling chiles if you have sensitive skin, and definitely wash your hands thoroughly after
- If the soup is too thick, thin it with warm milk or broth rather than water to maintain the creamy consistency
- A splash of lime juice right before serving brightens all the flavors and balances the richness