So'o Yosopy (Paraguayan Ground Beef and Rice Soup)
In short: A thick soup of ground beef, rice, potato, carrot and sweet pepper, simmered in one pot and served with fried tortillas or bread. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 350 kcal
So'o yosopy is one of Paraguay's most typical soups, and the name combines the Guaraní words for meat and crushed. Traditionally the meat was crushed in a mortar, and today most cooks use ground beef. It simmers with onion, sweet pepper, tomato, potato and carrot, and rice thickens it to something between a soup and a stew. It is usually served with tortillas.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic for 5 minutes, until soft.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, pressing it into very small crumbs with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and it reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes collapse.
- Add the water, carrots and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes more, stirring now and then, until the rice and vegetables are tender and the soup is thick.
- Add hot water if the soup is too thick, and adjust the salt. Stir in the parsley and rest for 5 minutes.
- Ladle into deep bowls and serve hot with fried tortillas or bread.
Tips
- Break the beef into very small crumbs as it browns, pressing it with the back of the spoon, to get the fine crushed texture the name describes.
- Short noodles such as vermicelli can replace the rice. Add them for the last 8 minutes of cooking.
Questions and answers
Can I make so'o yosopy ahead of time?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. The rice keeps absorbing broth, so thin the soup with hot water when you reheat it.
Can I freeze so'o yosopy?
Yes, for up to 3 months. The potatoes soften a little after thawing. Reheat gently with a splash of water.
What is the difference between so'o yosopy and vorí vorí?
So'o yosopy is a ground beef soup thickened with rice and potato. Vorí vorí is a chicken soup thickened with cornmeal and cheese dumplings.
How long does it take to make So'o Yosopy (Paraguayan Ground Beef and Rice Soup)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in So'o Yosopy (Paraguayan Ground Beef and Rice Soup)?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 19 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
