Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix – Hearty Pantry Staple for Family Weeknight Dinners, Just Add Water
Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix – Hearty Pantry Staple for Family Weeknight Dinners, Just Add Water
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Why you'll love it
- Simmered-all-day flavor achieved in just 15 minutes without the wait
- Generous 8-serving yield stretches meal budgets and feeds the whole family
- Versatile blank canvas recipe welcomes personal touches like chicken, zucchini, or tortilla strips
- Just-add-water convenience eliminates chopping and measuring multiple spices
- Loaded with recognizable hearty ingredients like pinto beans, red beans, carrots, and tomatoes
- Three flavor varieties (Tortilla, Darn Good Chili, Cheddar Potato) let households rotate their menu
- Convincing cheddar cheese flavor, not a weak imitation
- Occasional green onion flavor slips through making it more interesting
- Consistent, rich, thick flavor hard to pull off from a powder base
- Nutritional content provides enough energy to function after eating
- Bear Creek didn't cheap out or take short cuts
- Hard to find flavor available on Amazon at a great price
- Subscription-worthy product
- Doesn't cause stomach ache unlike other cheddar potato soups
- Loved by whole family (kids approved)
- Perfect pantry staple
Perfect for
- Quick 15-minute weeknight family dinner with just water added
- Hearty base for slow cooker meals with added chicken or vegetables
- Crowd-pleasing potluck or game day dish yielding 8 servings
- Lightweight pantry staple for camping trips and emergency preparedness
- Customizable soup starter where cooks add their own protein and toppings
- Single-serving microwave preparation (1/3 cup mix + 1.25 cup water)
- Slow cooker preparation using chicken broth
- Base for chowders with corn, clams, or other vegetables
- Boiling water in tea kettle poured directly into mug with mix
- Cooking with fried bacon and onion in bacon fat as base
- Adding cubed canned potatoes and sprinkling cheddar on top
- Garnishing with sour cream and chives for a kid-approved gourmet meal
- Adding chopped broccoli
- Adding dehydrated hash browns for thicker soup
- Single-person bulk storage in reusable container
About this item
Go south of the border with a hearty fiesta of taste.This delicious Bear Creek soup is a spicy blend of pinto and red beans, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots and zesty seasonings.Try adding chicken, tortilla strips and sour cream for variety. Yields about 8 one-cup servings. Warm up a slow cooker full tonight. Makes 8 servings or 1/2 gallon. Just add water! In a few simple steps, you can serve "homemade" soups that will satisfy every appetite in 15 minutes. High in the Heber Valley of the Wasatch Mountains, Bear Creek Country Kitchens began with one goal in mind: Deliver great hearty homestyle dishes that the whole family will enjoy. Combining high quality hearty ingredients with our special blend of spices, our soups are delicious, yet easy to prepare. In just minutes you can serve "homemade" soups that will satisfy every appetite.
- Product Dimensions : 8.5 x 5.63 x 1.46 inches; 7.9 ounces
- Ingredients: See package for details
- Nutritional value: On the product
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the just-add-water format save me time on busy weeknights?
The mix comes pre-blended with seasonings, beans, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes, so you skip the chopping, measuring, and spice hunting. Just simmer with water for about 15 minutes and dinner is on the table.
Will one package realistically feed my whole family?
Yes, each pouch yields eight one-cup servings, which is about half a gallon of finished soup, enough to cover most family dinners plus leftovers.
Can I use this as a starter for a slow cooker meal?
Absolutely. Combine the mix with chicken broth and add chicken or vegetables for a hands-off slow cooker dinner that develops deeper flavor over the day.
Does it work for potlucks or game day gatherings?
It is a great crowd-pleaser. One package serves eight, and you can dress it up with tortilla strips, sour cream, cheese, or chives for a more festive presentation.
Can I customize the recipe with my own add-ins?
Yes, the mix is designed as a versatile base. Popular additions include shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, canned potatoes, corn, clams, or even fried bacon and onion for extra richness.
Is this a good pantry staple to keep stocked at home?
Yes, it is shelf stable, affordable, and versatile, making it an easy staple for last-minute dinners, sick days, or unexpected guests.
How long does the mix stay good in my pantry?
Bear Creek soup mixes are shelf stable for an extended period when stored sealed in a cool, dry place, so you can keep several on hand without worry.
Does it taste as good as homemade tortilla soup?
While not identical to a from-scratch recipe, it delivers a rich, thick, well-seasoned flavor that many shoppers describe as a quick alternative to all-day simmered soup.
Is this a good option for someone on a budget?
Yes, the per-serving cost is very low, the yield is generous, and the convenience of skipping extra ingredients helps stretch a grocery budget.
What makes this a better choice than other instant soup mixes?
It contains recognizable hearty ingredients like pinto beans, red beans, and vegetables rather than a thin flavored powder, and the flavor is consistent batch after batch.
How does Bear Creek compare to Progresso or Campbell's dry soup mixes?
Bear Creek tends to offer a heartier, bean-and-vegetable-forward blend with a richer texture, while many canned or boxed dry soups lean thinner and milder.
Is this similar to a restaurant-style tortilla soup?
It is closer to a homestyle, chunky version with beans and vegetables rather than a thin brothy restaurant bowl, but adding tortilla strips and cheese brings it close.
Is the flavor too spicy for a family with kids?
It has a mild to medium zesty profile that most families find approachable, and you can tone it down by stirring in extra cheese, sour cream, or a splash of milk.
Will it upset my stomach like some cheddar potato soups do?
Many customers specifically note that this tortilla variety does not cause the stomach discomfort that some cheddar potato instant soups can, making it a friendlier everyday option.
Is it worth subscribing to for regular home meals?
If your household rotates through soup regularly, subscription pricing typically lowers the per-bag cost and ensures you never run out of an easy backup dinner.
How do I prepare Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix on the stovetop?
Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a pot, stir in the contents of the pouch, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables and beans are tender.
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes, combine the mix with chicken broth instead of water, add chicken or vegetables if desired, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for about 2 to 3 hours.
How do I make a single serving in the microwave?
Combine 1/3 cup of mix with 1 1/4 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl, heat at 50 percent power for about 10 minutes, stir, and let stand for 2 minutes before serving.
Does it work with both water and broth?
Yes, water is the standard base, but you can substitute chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for a richer flavor, and bone broth works as well for added protein.
Is it compatible with high-altitude cooking?
Yes, the cooking time may extend slightly at altitude. Use the stovetop or microwave methods and simmer a few extra minutes until the beans and vegetables are fully tender.
What comes in the box when I order it?
You receive one 7.9 ounce pouch of Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix, which is enough for about 8 one-cup servings. You will need to supply water and any optional toppings you want to add.
Is it safe for people with common food allergies?
The mix contains wheat and milk ingredients, which are clearly listed on the package. Anyone with gluten, dairy, or other sensitivities should review the full ingredient label before consuming.
Does it contain MSG or artificial flavors?
Bear Creek formulas vary, so the most accurate and current ingredient information is printed on the back of the pouch, including any flavor enhancers or preservatives.
What is the difference between soup mix and a fully prepared canned soup?
Soup mix is a dry blend of dehydrated ingredients and seasonings that you rehydrate and cook at home, while canned soup is fully cooked, preseasoned, and ready to heat, typically with a thinner texture and shorter ingredient list.
