(Traditional Mexican Beef Vegetable Soup) 🇲🇽

Old Fashioned Caldo de Res is a classic Mexican comfort soup made with tender beef, rich homemade broth, and large pieces of fresh vegetables. Slow-simmered with bone-in beef, corn, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and zucchini, this hearty soup is a family favorite often enjoyed on Sundays and special gatherings. Every bowl is full of warmth, tradition, and homemade flavor.

Full Recipe (Ingredients + Instructions)

Ingredients

For the Beef Broth 🥩

4 pounds beef shank with bone (chamorro de res)
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large pieces
12 cups water
1 large white onion, quartered
8 garlic cloves, peeled
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons beef bouillon (optional)

Vegetables 🥕🌽

4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
3 ears of corn, cut into pieces
½ large cabbage, cut into wedges
2 zucchini, cut into large pieces
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro

Optional Chile Flavor 🌶️

3 dried guajillo chiles, cleaned and seeded
2 garlic cloves
½ teaspoon cumin
1 cup beef broth

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Beef

Place beef shank and chuck roast in a large stockpot.

Add:

Water
Onion
Garlic
Bay leaves
Salt
Pepper

Bring to a boil.

Remove any foam that rises to the top.

Reduce heat and simmer gently for:

2½–3 hours

until the meat is tender and the broth is flavorful.

Step 2: Prepare Chile Sauce (Optional)

Toast guajillo chiles lightly in a dry skillet.

Soak in hot water for 15 minutes.

Blend with:

Garlic
Cumin
Beef broth

Strain and add to the soup for a deeper red color and flavor.

Step 3: Add Vegetables

Add vegetables in stages:

First add:

Corn
Carrots
Potatoes

Cook for about 15 minutes.

Then add:

Cabbage
Zucchini
Celery
Tomatoes

Cook another 15–20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Step 4: Finish & Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Add fresh cilantro before serving.

Serve hot with:

Fresh lime wedges
Warm corn tortillas
Chopped onion
Extra cilantro
Salsa

Extra Recipe Tips & Variations ✨

🥩 Traditional Bone-In Flavor

Beef shank with marrow bone creates the richest, most flavorful broth.

🌶️ Spicy Caldo de Res

Add:

Serrano peppers
Jalapeños
Chile de árbol

for extra heat.

🍚 Caldo de Res with Rice

Serve with a scoop of Mexican rice inside the bowl.

🫘 Heartier Version

Add cooked pinto beans for a rustic homemade variation.

🥒 More Traditional Vegetables

Try adding:

Chayote
Green beans
Squash
Nopales

Flavor Upgrades / Secret Tips 🔥

✅ Simmer the broth slowly—do not boil aggressively.

✅ Keep the bone-in meat for a richer flavor.

✅ Roast tomatoes, onion, and garlic before adding for deeper taste.

✅ Add lime juice right before eating to brighten the soup.

✅ Make it one day ahead—the flavors become even better overnight.

Serving Ideas 🍽️

Serve with:

🌮 Homemade corn tortillas
🥑 Avocado slices
🌶️ Salsa verde
🧅 Diced onion
🌿 Fresh cilantro
🍋 Lime wedges
🍚 Mexican rice

Perfect for:

Sunday family dinners
Cold days
Large gatherings
Traditional Mexican meals

Storage Tips 🥡

Refrigerator:

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer:

Freeze broth and meat for up to 3 months.

For best results, add fresh vegetables when reheating.

Nutrition Facts (Approximate)

Per serving:

Calories: 500–650 kcal
Protein: 45–55 g
Carbohydrates: 45–60 g
Fat: 20–30 g
Fiber: 8–10 g

(Values vary depending on meat and portion size.)

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: What does Caldo de Res mean?
A: Caldo de Res means “beef broth” or “beef soup” in Spanish.

Q: What cut of beef is best?
A: Beef shank with bone is traditional, but chuck roast is also excellent.

Q: Can I make Caldo de Res in a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Cook the beef on LOW for 8 hours, then add vegetables during the last hour.

Q: Why does my broth taste better the next day?
A: The flavors have more time to blend, making the soup richer and more flavorful.

Social Media Captions ❤️

Facebook Style:

“Nothing brings comfort like a big bowl of Old Fashioned Caldo de Res ❤️🍲 Tender beef, fresh vegetables, and a rich homemade broth made the traditional way. The kind of meal that brings everyone back to the table.”

Instagram Style:

“A bowl full of tradition 🇲🇽🍲 Slow simmered beef, fresh vegetables, and the flavors of home.”

Short Viral Caption:

“Grandma’s soup will always be the best ❤️🥕”

Family Memory Style:

“Some recipes are more than food—they are memories passed from generation to generation. ❤️ Caldo de Res is the taste of family, love, and home in every spoonful.”

Final Food Description 🍴

Old Fashioned Caldo de Res is a traditional Mexican beef soup made with tender bone-in beef, rich homemade broth, corn, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and zucchini. Slow cooked until every ingredient is full of flavor, this comforting soup is a timeless recipe that brings warmth, family, and tradition to the table. 🍲🥩🌽🇲🇽✨