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Soups and stews from leftovers and canned vegetables

Use when someone has leftovers, canned vegetables, beans or broth and wants to turn them into soups or stews that stretch a meal.

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In this guide
  1. Before you start
  2. Clean-out-the-cupboard vegetable soup
  3. Green chile chicken soup
  4. Creamy potato soup
  5. Tortilla soup from stale tortillas
  6. Leftover stew

1Before you start

Soup is the best way to stretch a little food into many meals. Almost any canned vegetable, bean, rice, pasta or leftover meat works.
At the Gospel MissionCanned vegetables and soups may come in Mission food boxes and the Senior Pantry.

2Clean-out-the-cupboard vegetable soup

Makes 6 servings. About 30 minutes.
  • 2-3 cans vegetables (carrots, green beans, corn, peas, potatoes, mixed), with liquid
  • 1 can diced tomatoes or tomato soup
  • 4 cups water or broth, onion, garlic, salt, pepper
  • 1/2 cup rice or small pasta (optional)
  1. Put everything in a pot. Boil, then simmer 20 minutes (until rice or pasta is soft).
  2. Add leftover meat or beans for the last 5 minutes.

3Green chile chicken soup

Makes 4 servings. About 25 minutes.
  • 1 can chicken, 1 can corn, 1 can potatoes or 2 fresh potatoes cut small
  • 1/2 cup green chile, 4 cups water or broth, cumin, garlic
  1. Simmer everything 15-20 minutes until potatoes are soft.
  2. Serve with tortillas or crackers.

4Creamy potato soup

Makes 4 servings. About 20 minutes.
  • 3 cups water, 2 cups milk (powdered is fine)
  • 1 1/2 cups potato flakes, 1 can corn or carrots, cheese, salt, pepper
  1. Heat the water, milk and vegetables until steaming.
  2. Stir in potato flakes a little at a time until thick. Stir in cheese.

5Tortilla soup from stale tortillas

Makes 4 servings. About 25 minutes.
  • 4 old tortillas cut in strips, 1 can tomatoes, 1 can black or pinto beans
  • 4 cups broth or water, onion, garlic, cumin, chile
  1. Toast or fry the tortilla strips until crisp. Set aside.
  2. Simmer everything else 15 minutes. Top bowls with the strips and cheese.

6Leftover stew

Brown an onion in oil, add 1 spoon flour, then 2 cups water or broth. Add leftover meat, beans, potatoes and any canned vegetables. Simmer 15 minutes until thick.

More help like this

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See all guides in Food and basics →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.