Potatoes + leeks + poblano peppers + chorizo + creamy cheesy goodness = bliss in a bowl. Papas y rajas (potatoes and peppers) is a popular Mexican flavour combo. This Instant Pot potato soup with poblano peppers takes these two delicious flavours to the next level. This is a guest recipe from the Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot by Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri and Rudy Vidaurri.
This delicious recipe for Instant Pot potato soup with poblano peppers (also known as Sopa de Poblano con Papa) is from our recently reviewed cookbook by Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri and Rudy Vidaurri called the Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot. It’s a gluten-free, hearty dish perfect for those cold nights or when you need a little comfort meal.
WHAT ARE POBLANO PEPPERS?
Poblano peppers are smaller-sized green peppers with a wide top and pointy bottom and they are mildly spicy compared to regular bell peppers. When dried, they are also known as ancho chiles. You can replace poblano peppers with regular green bell peppers and add a small green or red chilli pepper to the mix.
This soup freezes really well so you can make a large batch ahead of time and enjoy over a few months.
Get inspired with more Mexican Instant Pot recipes here and check out our best Instant Pot soup recipes here.

Instant Pot Poblano Peppers Potato Soup
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 14
- Total Time: 39
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Papas y rajas (potatoes and peppers) is a popular Mexican flavour combo. This Instant Pot potato soup takes these two delicious flavours to the next level. This is a guest recipe from the Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot by Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri and Rudy Vidaurri.
Ingredients
3 poblano peppers
3 tbsp (42 g) butter, ghee or avocado oil
1 leek, white and pale green parts only, sliced
5 fresh garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp dried dill
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp black pepper
3 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 cups (1 L) chicken broth or vegetable stock
1 cup (230 g) sour cream or 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
½ cup (55 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ lb (225 g) pan-fried Spanish-style chorizo, sliced into small pieces
Optional Toppings: sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro/spring onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to broil with a rack in the highest position.
- Place the poblano peppers on a baking sheet and broil until they start to blacken, about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and when cool enough to handle, carefully peel the blackened skin off. Remove the stems and discard. Coarsely chop the peppers, then set them aside.
- Add the healthy fat of your choice to the Instant Pot and press “Sauté.” When the fat has melted, add the leek, sautéing for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the garlic, salt, dill, paprika, cumin and black pepper and continue to sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press the “Keep Warm/Cancel” button. Add the potatoes, roasted peppers and broth.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the steam-release valve is sealed. Press the “Manual” button and set for 9 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot is done and beeps, press “Keep Warm/Cancel.” Using an oven mitt, “quick release”/open the steam-release valve. When the steam venting stops and the silver dial drops, carefully open the lid.
- In batches, ladle the soup into a blender, taking care to fill only about half of the blender (hot liquids will expand, so please use caution). Blend on a low setting just until puréed and combined. Add the puréed soup back to the Instant Pot and press “Sauté,” bring to a boil and give it a few stirs. Add the sour cream and cheese and stir until fully combined. Turn off the Instant Pot by pressing “Keep Warm/Cancel.”
- Serve immediately garnished with browned chorizo and the toppings of your choice.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the chorizo and use vegetable stock instead of the chicken broth.
Spice level: medium
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7.1 g
- Sodium: 1434.1 mg
- Fat: 37.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.7 g
- Fiber: 3.9 g
- Protein: 26.2 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
Keywords: Poblano Peppers, Potatoes, Mexican
Hmmm. Left a negative review and it’s gone now. But in case it wasn’t wilful deletion, i’ll try again for any considering making this and wanting an honest opinion from a home cook. This was something i really wanted to love as both soup and poblano peppers are my jam. However, ee definitely found it underwhelming. The taste was just okay and tge amount of work and number if appliances/dishes it took were definitely not worth the outcome. We will stick with potatoes and rajas in the traditional form
★★★