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Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup

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For the meat and potato lover, this hearty quinoa soup is for you. A nourishing one pot meal, typically served with aji and avocado on the side.

For the meat and potato lover, this hearty quinoa soup is for you. A nourishing one pot meal, typically served with aji and avocado on the side. Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup

Hearty soups like this are exactly what I love about South American cuisine. More of my favorites are Chicken and Cavatelli SoupChicken Soup with Spinach and Whole Wheat Acini Di Pepe, Stuffed Pepper Soup and Left Over Ham Bone Soup with Potatoes and Cabbage.

This soup uses cooked quinoa, which is a South American seed which has become very popular in North America lately. Quinoa is very high in protein, and contains all 9 essential amino acids, lysine, phosphorous, copper, iron and magnesium. It’s gluten-free and you can find it at any healthy food store, Amazon, Trader Joe’s and even at your local supermarket. Click here for the recipe to cook basic quinoa.

By now I don’t think I have to tell you just how much I love Latin American cuisine. It’s the ultimate comfort food to me, so I am happy to share some wonderful South American dishes with you. This dish was adapted from Laylita’s Recipes, her blog features many wonderful Ecuadorean dishes.

The key to making a good beef soup is letting the beef simmer until it gets soft, the longer the better so the meat is tender. If you have a pressure cooker, this will cook in half the time and the meat will be incredibly soft. I love my pressure cooker, probably more than my crock pot but I wrote the directions assuming you don’t own one. I recommend buying one, it’s great for making stews and beans in half the time, and the flavors really get into the food. I own a 6-quart Presto which is perfect for making a pot of beans. Lot’s of you are asking me which I own, click here to see.

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Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup

4.93 from 13 votes
6
Cals:307.9
Protein:15.7
Carbs:31.3
Fat:13.8
For the meat and potato lover, this hearty quinoa soup is for you. A nourishing one pot meal, typically served with aji and avocado on the side.
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American
For the meat and potato lover, this hearty quinoa soup is for you. A nourishing one pot meal, typically served with aji and avocado on the side.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 2 hours
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 -1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 6-7 scallions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to mato, diced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp homemade sazon
  • 1/2 lb beef, cubed into small bite size pieces (I used beef tenderloin)
  • 5 cups water
  • beef bullion
  • 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsp yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 6 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Saute oil in a large pot, add scallions and garlic and sauté until soft over medium heat, about 3 minutes.
  • Add tomato, cumin, sazon with achiote, 1/4 cup cilantro and cook another 2 minutes.
  • Add beef, water, bullion, carrot, bell pepper, salt and bring to a boil.
  • Cover and simmer on low about 1-1/2 hours, until meat is tender.
  • Add potato and cooked quinoa and cook an additional 25 minutes.
  • Add remaining chopped cilantro and serve.
  • If using a pressure cooker, cook soup with meat 45 minutes, add potato and quinoa and cook 10 minutes more.

Last Step:

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Notes

Adapted from Laylita's Recipes

Nutrition

Serving: 1 -1/2 cups, Calories: 307.9 kcal, Carbohydrates: 31.3 g, Protein: 15.7 g, Fat: 13.8 g, Saturated Fat: 4.6 g, Cholesterol: 38.6 mg, Sodium: 277 mg, Fiber: 4.6 g, Sugar: 2 g

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160 comments on “Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup”

  1. Since The meat boils  for 1:30 stove top or 45 minutes in the pressure cooker, why  use beef tenderloin? Could we use something less expensive?

  2. Skinnytaste never disappoints! Every single recipe that I have tried from Gina’s site has been a hit. I followed the recipe exactly as written, and I have no plans to modify it. It is simply delicious as written! To think I almost skipped it, because the WW points have not been calculated 😉

  3. Just made this for dinner in my Instant Pot. Used the Soup function which defaults to 30 minutes. I had leftover prime rib and bones so I boiled the bones with water first and used that broth instead of the water called for in the recipe. Also used Goya Sazon with achiote since I already had that. Used 4 tsp of Better Than Boullion Beef Flavor. Didn’t have cilantro so I left it out but added some chopped chives at the end. Diced the potatoes small and preboiled them first so that they wouldn’t take too long to cook when I added them to the soup. Also had leftover quinoa, so this was perfect. I did add some fresh ground pepper before serving. Great way to use leftovers for a hearty soup on a chilly winter night. Family loved it.

  4. Avatar photo
    Patience Lewis

    I used to make this soup many years ago and kind of forgot about it. I had some left over Quinoa and thought about this soup…I no longer eat meat so I substituted pinto beans I had some leftover refried beans about a half a cup some leftover fresh Whole Foods pizza sauce some cilantro that was frozen and water in the freezer so I made it totally vegan and it is super yummy oh I also had 1/2 a package of TJ baked Sriracha tofu 🙂

  5. I made this in the instant pot yesterday and it was so freaking good!! I used beef broth instead of water and bullion. I didn’t have all the ingredients to make the Sazon so I used a different mixture of seasonings. I also added more meat because I’m married to a carnivore. My picky husband loved it and asked me to make it for our Christmas potluck. Recommend!! 

    1. There are 5 cups of water, so most bouillon use a teaspoon (granules or base), or 1 cube, per cup. So 5 teaspoons.

    2. Honestly, I just use beef broth or stock instead of the water + bouillon. This is one of my favorite soup recipes!

  6. It’s nice to have a stove top recipe BUT please provide prep steps when using Instant Pot…  new owner And new to pressure cooking.

  7. I made this last week and it was wonderful! It had a nice amount of seasoning although I may give it a little bump up the next time. I used tenderloin beef which stayed nice & tender, didn’t get chewy or overcooked. Having a little beef was a nice change of pace from my chicken heavy diet. I never had (yet alone, made) quinoa before so it was a new experience for me. Thank you for your fabulous recipies!

  8. Made this last night for a serving of 1 cup per bowl (6servings) bought points down to 5. It was amazing! I used the Sazon pack because I could not find the annatto seasoning.

  9. Tripled the recipe in my ninji foodie!  So good, bet it will be even better tomorrow like most soups are!  Made with grass fed stew meat diced small.  I think I will add the quinoa raw next time to absorb more liquid and stay snapppy!

  10. Anonmous

    This is Really my name and my e-mail girl.
    I have to tell you that I love your cooking work for a young woman.
    please let me join again because I am teaching a young class about
    what good things there are to cook in the world today.

    E-mail me back if I have did something wrong please.

  11. Made this tonight in the instant pot and it is delicious!!! We cooked the quinoa on the side and added it in afterwards to keep this dish more soupy rather than stewy. Would make again!

  12. I’ve made this three times… it’s perfect and delicious for this fall weather. I love the flavor combo. I had no reason to other than I had some cauliflower I needed to use… but I added it at the same time as the potatoes… and when the soup was done I took the cauliflower out and blended it (had to hide it from picky eaters!) and added it back. Didn’t really change the taste… just the color of the soup. Skinny Taste is my favorite place to go for recipes when I need a for sure great dish. Thank you!

  13. Hello,
    I am missing the Pressure Cooker part of this recipe. It looks like it takes a lot longer than the pressure cooker. Is there a part of the recipe I am missing?

    1. No, there were not actual PC directions on there, just a comment that you could cook it in one if you wanted to.

      1. If I use a pressure cooker, do I do the quick release before adding the second batch of ingredients, or natural release? Thanks!

  14. Avatar photo
    Brittney Kincannon

    I've had quinoa sitting in my pantry for a month looking for the perfect recipe to use it on. Thank you!

  15. I was confused by the bullion too…which is why I am on comments. I'm by no means the world's greatest cook, but I'm confused by the proportions, like the 2 Tbsp of yellow pepper (waste the rest?) and the 12 of beef, which of course it's impossible, at least around here, to find that small of a package, so I plan to double it? But not sure how much bullion? I did make the chicken/butternut/quinoa soup/stew, and it was flat out awesome, one of the best things I've ever made! So I am anxious to try this one out, but would like to know about the bullion going in.

  16. The recipe calls for beef bullion, but doesn't say how much or what type: cube(s) or powder. I assume not liquid, considering how much water is added.

  17. I made this soup a few weeks ago and it is FANTASTIC!! Just curious to know why you suggest simmering it for 1 1/2 hours and Laylita's recipe says only 40 minutes. I'm making this soup as we "speak" and cannot wait to eat it – hence my silly question!

  18. I thought this recipe might be a bit thicker and spicier than it turned out. I improvised a bit with the pressure cooker and just put everything in at the beginning (after the initial sauteeing/browning bit)… nothing was mushy and everything was soft, but it was a bit more liquid-y than I expected and it was quite a bit milder than I expected. I might have used a little less cilantro than you did but that was really the only change on this recipe, though I guess my sazon didn't have achiote (as I didn't find any) but rather had turmeric. Any suggestions for making it a bit more flavorful? More sazon or something else?

    1. Can only be the beef and the olive oil … but im guessing the beef is the culprit because of the way its calculated for WW purposes.

  19. I made this a couple weeks ago on my kiddo was not happy that I didn't double it. I'm making it today and I'll be sure to double.
    I also have Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup going in both my crockpots.

  20. Can i just put the quinoa in with everything to cook? How do you cook quinoa in the crockpot anyways?!

  21. Just tried this yesterday and it is my new favorite beef stew recipe! Didn't have the sazon so subbed paprika as suggested above. I upped the quantities of everything a little and also added string beans (cut into bite-sized pieces) and corn cut off the cob. Hearty, tasty, and healthy, love it!

  22. This soup is a.may.zing. I subbed in red bell pepper, smoked paprika, and diced tomatoes from a can. (Oh and I used purple and yellow carrots for funsies.)
    SO! GOOD!
    Thank you.
    This soup makes me feel like I'm a good cook. When in reality I'm just really good at picking and following recipes. 🙂

  23. Just felt compelled to add that this recipe is amazing and has become a weekly staple in my house. Thank you, Gina!

  24. GINA! You are amazing! . I absolutely love how you add the Calories as well. 🙂 Thanks.
    With this one I had to double it up. Because with every meal I make I never have enough for lunch! So I need some left over. I know this is a stupid question but even as I double everything the calories wouldn't change per serving right?

  25. So GOOD but I did the same thing with the Quinoa – put 1 cup uncooked instead of 1 cup cooked. CAme out like a stew, but still good. Left out the cilantro, put a couple of extra carrots for the kiddos, used beef broth cuz I didn't have a boullion cube – the rest the same and delicious! LOVE Gina – she rocks – makes my life so much easier!

  26. We don't really eat red meat so I subbed the beef for chicken and used chicken broth instead. It's cooking on the stove right now and smells divine. The sample I just tasted is very promising.
    So happy I found your site, this is the second recipe of yours I have made this week and it is only Tuesday.

  27. Given the fact that nearly every dinner we eat each week comes from your site, Gina… I can't believe I'm saying this:
    I hated this. I couldn't even finish a couple of bites of it. My husband said it "was decent," but not something he wanted to include in our rotations.

    I don't think I messed up the recipe – I cook your recipes daily, so I'm used to following them & even adding my own twists sometimes – I think it's just the combination of flavors that didn't work well for me. Cooking with cilantro is always a tricky proposition with my taste buds, this just happened to be one that didn't work out for me. I wanted to love this, it sounded like excellent comfort food. It just wasn't for us.

    The only reason I'm even posting is because I figure there are probably others who have tried it and didn't enjoy it much, and I really wanted to let them know that they're not alone. Some flavor combinations just don't work for certain people – but I can say from extensive experience with your recipes that most people will be able to find dozens upon dozens of OTHER recipes on your site that they're going to love as much as my family does! I don't want anyone to "give up" if this one recipe isn't for them. (Try out the Stuffed Pepper Soup, for example… now that's to die for!)

    1. Just a thought, but did you happen to forget to rinse the quinoa? It can taste really nasty and bitter if you don't. I really can't imagine ANYONE not liking this.

    2. Just a thought, but did you happen to forget to rinse the quinoa? It can taste really nasty and bitter if you don't. I really can't imagine ANYONE not liking this.

  28. Avatar photo
    Smarty Pants Mama

    Made this for the third time tonight and again it was delicious! THANK YOU for making healthy eating, yummy eating!

  29. I just got everything to make this soup but them realized that the sazon I purchased is saxon tropical and not with achiote. I'm not sure what the difference is–do you think I should not use the one I purchased? Thanks!!

  30. I just made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic!!! I have made so many of your recipes Gina, thanks so much for keeping this site going. If you ever decide to do a cookbook, I will certainly be buying it!

  31. I made this recipe for dinner tonight and I found it to be outstanding. I never had quinoa until today and it just soaked up all the wonderful flavors of the broth.

    This is definitely a keeper. Thank you for the recipe.

  32. Another delicious dish! It was a healthier version of a dish my mom made back home "carne guisada" or stewed beef so it felt like a little bit of home without sacrificing my points! Thanks Gina!

  33. Gina, I made this vegan last week using Gardein Beef(less) Tips instead of the beef and it turned out amazing. I'm posting the vegan version on my web site giving you credit for the recipe. Thanks for a delicious soup.

    1. I’m glad to read this! I’m eating more plant-forward and want to transition this recipe to a veg/vegan one.

  34. I tried this recipe last night, its filling, delicious, and amazing! I can not even believe how good this recipe is. I was a little skeptical, never had quinoa before nor did I know what it was. Followed the recipe as instructed and now it is a family fav!!!!!!! THANK U!

  35. yum! added a squeeze of lime juice and pinch of cayenne pepper after I served it. even more yum! I did not cook the quinoa ahead of time. Instead, soak quinoa in hot water, drain and put it in along with potatoes. Finally, thanks for the hint on paprika instead of Badia Sazon with Annato. Worked really well! Thank you!

  36. Just made this tonight. I was a little skeptical of putting already cooked quinoa into a soup and cooking for another 25 minutes. Fret not, this was delish! thanx, one more in the keeper file.

  37. Hi Gina, this looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to make it. I just have one question: how much beef bouillon do we add to the soup?

  38. Avatar photo
    BottledBeauty

    Made this tonight. My extremely picky 4 year old ate 2 helpings with sour cream on top! My husband and I loved it as well. The flavor was surprisingly bold yet not spicy. Yummy! I need your cookbook 😀

  39. Avatar photo
    DONE Being The Fat Girl

    Made this last night with chicken instead of beef & chicken broth. It was AMAZING & everyone loved it! Thanks for the yummy recipe. I will definitely make again!

  40. I made this yesterday. It was fantastic. Served with cornbread and a salad, perfect Sunday meal. I just adore your site. Keep those recipes coming!

  41. I cooked the soup in the crockpot on high for 4.5 hours and it was phenomenal. I added some spinach I had around but that's all I changed from the ingredient list. Amazing! Your recipes never let me down.

  42. Penzey's Spices carry Annatto Seeds. A wonderful source for spices and a great company. There may be a store near you or mail/email order. I have ordered from them multiple times and they usually give you a sample of another spice with your order.

  43. I made this for dinner last night and it was absolutely fantastic!! Thanks Gina. I really don't know what I would do without your recipes, girl. They always rescue me when I'm having a block with what to what to make. Plus I love love love that the points are calculated. Bonus!

  44. I found that the beef cooked within about 30 mins or so rather than the suggested 1-1/2 hours. I made 1/2-inch cubes of angus. I also found that the potatoes needed to go in sooner and maybe took a little longer than 25 mins. I suppose it just depends on how small everything is cut. But I think the potatoes would be fine to add with the beef and the rest of the ingredients. Is there a reason it's suggested to wait until after the beef is done?

  45. Made this for dinner tonight. So hearty and flavorful! I've been looking for ways to get more quinoa in our diet since my kids don't like eating it as a side dish. This is a perfect example. WONDERFUL good! 🙂

  46. Fantastic! I made this the other night and had leftovers for 3 days. Once again this is a wonderful soup. You never disappoint! I did use one Knorr homestyle Stock Concentrated instead of the bullion. Also added mushrooms. We do not eat much beef so I will have to wait awhile before making it again. I shared with a friend and she is off to make it for her family. The quinoa has such a nice pop –love it! I might try this with chicken, using chicken stock of course.

  47. Avatar photo
    Katy Rose Grider

    Gina and others – I have an electric pressure cooker and I'm sure going to give this a try, I think the challenging part will be adding the potatoes and quinoa at the end as I do not have a "simmer" setting once the pressure cooking is done.

    My main concern is that the potatoes get soft enough on the "keep warm" setting, so what I think I'll do is use canned potatoes and let it set with it all in there for the required amount of time so it acts as a thickening agent still. (Tip: instant potato flakes can be used to thicken in dishes like this when in a pinch.) I'll let you know how it goes.

  48. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    So glad you all like it 🙂

    I think the paprika would be fine but yes paprika does taste slight different. If you can find sazon, that would probably be closer.

  49. Bookmarking this for the weekend! I don't have the exotic spices though, I think I'm gonna have to go with your recommendation to substitute with paprika. How different or far off will the flavours be though?

  50. hi, your receipts are great, is there anyway i can print them on one page? can i delete the info and just print instructions….all the print friendly are 2 pages..

  51. Made this tonight and it was simply amazing! Everyone loved it!!
    I added extra cumin and some tomato paste to increase the depth a bit. So good and hearty and healthy for the cold Winter days!! A one-pot meal…just add crusty bread or salad! Delicious!!

  52. I couldn't wait. I made this last night along with your cream of broccoli soup (I had CSA veggies to use up). They are both amazing. My husband had two helpings of this soup and couldn't say enough good things about it. Which is huge since he loves my dad's version so much. Thank you !

  53. I will be making this for overnight guests this weekend. Can't wait! I am not even trying it out first – lol! My father is Colombian and this recipe is so similar to soups he makes weekly (rice instead of quinoa of course). I can't wait to have a WW friendly substitute! Comfort of home without the extra fat. Yay!

    Natalie

  54. UPDATE: Hubby said it was in the"top 10" (pretty high after 17 years of cookin)also said it would be "an insult to eat anything else" after this!
    Margaret

  55. So glad I double this recipe because it is so delish! (word to the wise- always double Ginas soup recipes:)). I bougbt the wrong Sazon but it was perfect without it.

    Thank you again Gina.

    Following it up with the low fat choc chips…..
    Margaret

  56. I found this recipe while searching your site for pressure cooker recipe. I also vote "yes" for a pressure cooker category!

  57. Avatar photo
    Vanessa D'anna

    I really want to make this today however the only beef I have in the house is ground beef. Do you think that would be a good substitute?

  58. Made this last night and it was DEE-LISH!!! Thanks so much for all your yummy, healthy recipes, Gina! Your site has been helping me lose my post-pregnancy pounds without having to cook an entirely separate meal for the rest of my family – they're eating and loving your dishes right alongside of me. And I don't think they even realize that they're healthy because they're so full of flavor! 😉 THANK YOU!

  59. Do you think this would work with pork? I have some boneless pork ribs in the freezer but no beef.. I might try it and see what it does.

  60. Avatar photo
    Marcia De Paz

    I made this one last week, it didn't look exactly like the one in the picture (mine was darker) :P, but it was DELICIOUS!!!
    I'm trying more of your recipes Gina, they are great!!

  61. Made this today and it was awesome! Its coming into winter here in Australia and its nice to have another warming recipe on my list. Thanks Gina

  62. Hi Gina. I made this soup 2 weeks ago and was asked to make it again next week. Can you freeze leftovers? I want to double the recipe and just be able to pull out servings as needed. Thanks.

  63. I love your blog! I stumbled upon your site with a Google search for superbowl recipes. It brought me to your jalapeno poppers, I would love to see a section for pressure cooker recipes. Thanks! Laura

  64. This was so good. I don't even like beef soup and I couldn't get enough. I didn't know I liked quinoa! Got it at Costco for $7 for a huge bag so I'll be making this again and again. Only problem I had was I didn't know if I was to add 1 Cup of quinoa AFTER it was cooked. After reading and rereading, I decided it was 1 Cup after cooking, but it was so skimpy and didn't look like your photo so I added the rest. Once it cooked more, it blew up 🙂 so it was loaded. Still tasted great!

  65. Avatar photo
    Sarah Spelbring

    I just made this with a few tweaks to accommodate what I have on hand – venison hind steak for the meat, 1 can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies for the tomato/bell peppers, 1 yellow onion for the scallions. Used the pressure cooker and it's delicious!

  66. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    Tasha, barley would be great in this soup.

    Rachel, I think 1 cup expands to 3 cups cooked, so that must have been more like a stew 🙂

  67. I made this tonight, my first time every having quinoa. It was wonderful! I wasn't paying attention and cooked a cup of quinoa and added all of it instead of adding a cup of cooked quinoa. It was still tasty, although not much of a soup that way. My husband has asked me to add this to our regular meal rotation. My one year old approved as well.

  68. I really love your website, the recipes are wonderful! Could I substitute barley for the quinoa?
    Thanks

  69. Gina, this is my first time to the website. I am getting a little bored with WW as this is my 4th go round :(( still haven't gotten my baby weight off). This recipe is awesome. I served this to my 2 year old and it was a HIT!!!!I will definitely make this again and share your recipe. I did it almost exactly how you said except I was missing a seasoning(the Badia), but even without it, I loved it.

    Tiff in Texas

  70. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    Mike, I don't see why not! I like mine cooked longer, I feel it thickens the soup, but it's fine adding at the end I'm sure.

  71. So, I made this tonight, but substituted Orzo for Quinoa (i know the points will go up). They did not have any at the store I went to, but the soup was delicious! I served this with the Cornmeal Cake…..boy, it was great. I'm taking some for lunch tomorrow too!!
    Tiffani

  72. I love this soup! I made it and served it with a wedge of lime, shredded cabbage, and a little bit of Queso Fresco.

    Thanks!

  73. I made this tonight and thought it was very good. I do have one question though. The recipe calls for you to add a cup of cooked quinoa with the potatos and cook 25 minutes. My quinoa basically exploded in the 25 minutes. Can you add the quinoa raw and let it cook in the broth or add the cooked quinoa at the very end so it keeps it's form?

  74. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    No need, you basically cook the potatoes until soft, if it takes a few more minutes that is fine. Cooking time will vary depending on how big the potatoes are cut.

  75. In both this soup and the chicken pot pie soup, I felt like the potatoes were added too late and didn't get cooked enough. Should I add the sooner or microwave the first?

  76. I used stew meat because it was quite a bit cheaper. I tossed it in about 1 tbs flour, and seared it before I sauteed the onions and garlic. When I added the onion and garlic to the pan to had to add another tsp of olive oil. Other than that I followed the recipe to a T. It was amazing!!

  77. I made this last night in my dutch oven and it came out great! I used a goya packet of sazon with annato and it was wonderful. Thanks for another yummy recipe!

  78. Hello Gina! I am so excited to have found your blog! I decided to try WW for the first time ever! I like the new online tools and points system, BUT it is SO FRUSTRATING in trying to come up with menu ideas or just inputting new foods all the time! I have several recipes printed to try from your blog! This will be dinner tomorrow! Now for the PRESSURE COOKER'S although they are handy (dangerous, noisy) I will be making this delicious soup in my Le Creuset Dutch Oven! Hint..hint…hint…why waste time with a pressure cooker?? 🙂 Thanks Gina!

  79. This soup turned out so delicious! Very flavorful and filling. I couldn't find the Badia Sazon spice, so used paprika as directed in the comments section. It came out great! I will be making this again. Thanks Gina!

  80. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    MsKaos- yes, my instruction are not for a pressure cooker.

    Jun, sure!

    Scallions to me are long green onions…

  81. This looks so delicious! I totally can't resist potato in soup. But beef doesn't count in my diet… can it be substitute with chicken or pork?

  82. This looks amazing and I have lots of quiona to use in the pantry!!

    I starred it on my google reader for later.

  83. This was dinner tonight. Another hit! I have tried several of the recipes on this site and have not found a bad one!

    I'm going to make that hot sauce tomorrow and put a bit of that on my leftover soup! Yum!

  84. Just to be sure…when you say scallions, do you mean "real" scallions or those long, slim green onions?

  85. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    Pressure cookers to sputter and spit and make a bunch of noise, but they lock and you can't open them until the pressure is out. I've never used a high tech one!

    I don't recommend making this in the crock pot. That's just my opinion though, I haven't tried it.

  86. Avatar photo
    ilostanotherme

    Gina, would LOVE pressure cooker recipes! I just got the Cuisinart electronic one for Christmas and I am totally in love with it! This soup sounds great too. Thanks!

  87. Gina, this looks so good. I don't have a pressure cooker but do have a crock pot. Assuming I throw everything in it, how long will it take to cook?

  88. My mom had a really old
    Pressure cooker I'd watch it spit and sputter and litterly scared me to death but any of the new digital one are awesome…..Iv never had a problem… Qvc has some good ones…. I need to figure out how to put my name on this ….jewel

  89. oh how i wish mito ate quinoa! but he doesn't like it! i might have to try this one since he is a meat and potato guy and try and fool him! looks great gee.

  90. Yes, pressure cookers are great time savers. Great chicken, roasts, beef stroganoff, lamb, soups etc. You could have fun with it Gina!!

  91. Please do a pressure cooker section. I have just been searching your site trying to find all your recipes that could be done in a pressure cooker.

  92. This is simmering on the stove as I write. Smells delish! I made a few adjustments – instead of a chopped tomato, I used a 8 oz. can of petite cut tomatoes and instead of a bullion cube and water, I subbed beef broth. Thanks Gina! One question – I checked Laylita's site and she serves it with "aji"…what is "aji"?

  93. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    "Aji" is hot sauce (homemade) I'll try to post the recipe tonight, but that may be too late since you are already making it!

    Real quick, it's scallions, tomato, hot pepper, lime juice, cilantro and a little vinegar finely minced or put in the food processor. You add it to your soup for a little zing!

    1. Avatar photo
      Quiltin Jenny

      Depends on the store. At my local Publix it is with the rice and other grains, and also in the gluten free section. At Kroger it is on their health food aisle with the grains.

  94. This is truly a great site! Your recipes and photos are amazing! Would love a pressure cooker category, as I have one but have no idea what to do with it!

  95. Can't wait to try, and so excited to pass this on to my girlfriend who's husband is from Ecuador. He is always fussing about missing food from "home".

    (BTW Gwyn if you read this, I'd love to get that beet recipe! :o) I am always looking for new ways to enjoy my beloved unloved veggies)

  96. Do you have any recommendations as to type, brand of pressure cooker to buy? Have been thinking about purchasing one, but have no idea as to which one would be best. TIA!

  97. Hi Gina, I absolutely love your blog and have been cooking my way through it since I found it 2 months ago. I love the simplicity and flavor your recipes offer. Please keep them coming. My question is around the ingrediate that has popped up in two recipes lately. Sazon, is it necessary? I try to avoid MSG and from a little quick research it appears these seasonings contain MSG or at least something similar. Will I risk the integrity of the recipe if I don't add it, and is there a natural substitute? Thank you!

  98. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    I think I will start a section for pressure cookers, I see a few of you own them. They really help cook long simmering food in half the time. I would not do this in a slow cooker, personally… I just threw an entire batch of soup out that was similar. Slow cooker works great for some recipes and not so great for others.

    Pressure cooker- when you add meat, lock pressure cooker and cook 35 minutes on low, then shut stove off. When the pressure escapes on it's own (about 10 minutes) and unlocks, remove cover and continue with the recipe without locking the lid.

    The sazon you should find in the Spanish aisle of your supermarket. Goya makes it as well but I prefer badia because there's no MSG. Or if you find ground anatto or
    achiote, you can use that. If not… Paprika will do!

  99. What exactly is that spice you add? Amazon has it but i need to purchase 6 bottles…can you substitute anything for it?

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    Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch)

    Mmmmmmmmmm, this looks really good! I am going to copy this recipe too! You're the best! Thanks for sharing.
    Best regards,
    Gloria

  101. Wow gena, this looks Amazing I love my pressure cooker. I make chicken noodle soup in mine. The pressure cooker adds so much flavor it's awesome. I'm thrilled to see so many recipes here that I can use it for not to mention stews sauces … The list is end less……..I could. Not live without mine . I love it that you answer feed back most sites are to busy. Thank you so much for all you do. Your food looks wonderful.. I Have 4 recipes I'm starting with I'm so excited!

  102. I do have a pressure cooker & only cook 2 things it in… beets and a family dish called porcupine meatballs (basically meatballs with rice & onions in a tomato soup sauce). If I were to make this in my pressure cooker – do you have any tips? Just when it says "cover & simmer for 1-1/2 hours" – i'm assuming I put the lid on & once it starts "shimmying" then I cook it for 45 minutes? (or is that too long to cook it?) Thanks!

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    kristin eldridge photography

    I just found your site through pinterest and I love it! I've tried several recipes and can't wait to try this soup. Sounds delicious!

    1. I'm going to do it in the crockpot and I'm just going to throw it all in for about 6-7 hours on low. You could precook the Quinoa if you'd like and either add it later as you dish it out, or throw it into the crockpot at the end and turn the crockpot off. I plan on just washing the raw Quinoa and then throwing it in the crockpot to cook. I'm also going to put the potatoes in the whole time. I do this with a beef stew we make and it the potatoes are perfect.