Aug 28 2026
RestaurantsEl Mariachi Mexican Bar and Grill # 2Seafood Soup (caldo-de-mariscos) Recipe

Seafood Soup (caldo-de-mariscos) Recipe

Time50m
Serves4

Seafood soup with jumbo shrimps, tilapia, vegetables and jalapeños. Served with rice and avocado.

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Ingredients

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Seafood Broth

Method

Seafood Broth

  1. 1

    Prepare aromatics

    Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. When hot, add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt and sauté for 4–5 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic, diced carrot and diced celery and sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.

  2. 2

    Build base

    Add the chopped tomatoes, sliced jalapeño and tomato paste to the pot. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring, until tomatoes soften and paste darkens slightly. If using, deglaze with the white wine and let it reduce for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Simmer broth

    Pour in the fish stock (or chicken stock), add the bay leaf, dried oregano, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer 15 minutes to marry flavors and soften vegetables.

  4. 4

    Finish broth

    Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt or more to taste. Stir in the lime juice. Keep the broth hot over low heat while preparing seafood and vegetables.

Seafood & Vegetables

  1. 5

    Cook potatoes and corn

    Increase the broth to a gentle boil. Add the halved baby potatoes and corn rounds. Boil uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until potatoes are nearly tender when pierced with a fork.

  2. 6

    Add firm seafood and vegetables

    Add the zucchini and squid rings (if using) to the pot. Simmer 3–4 minutes until zucchini is just tender and squid becomes opaque and slightly firm.

  3. 7

    Cook delicate seafood

    Add the tilapia pieces and jumbo shrimp to the simmering broth. Gently stir once to separate pieces. Cook 3–4 minutes until tilapia flakes easily with a fork and shrimp are pink and opaque. Do not overcook.

  4. 8

    Finish and add herbs

    Turn off the heat. Stir in chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper or lime as needed.

To Serve

  1. 9

    Divide the cooked white rice among 4 shallow bowls (about 3/4 cup rice per serving). Ladle the hot seafood soup over the rice, making sure each bowl gets a mix of shrimp, tilapia, potatoes and corn.

  2. 10

    Top each bowl with sliced avocado and a lime wedge. Offer hot sauce or extra jalapeño on the side for heat. Serve immediately.

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