There’s something enchanted almost the fragrance of porcupine soup stewing on the stove, filling the kitchen with wealthy, savory smells. Developing up, my grandma made this dish on chilly nighttimes, serving it with warm, buttered rolls. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also love trying Grandma’s Chicken Soup for a nostalgic, heartwarming bowl that’s perfect on chilly nights. It was the kind of dinner that brought everybody together around the table, sharing stories and giggling. A long time afterward, I found myself longing for that same nostalgic consolation and set out to idealize my claim form of this adored dish.

Porcupine soup, regularly befuddled with porcupine meatballs, is a generous tomato-based soup including delicate meatballs imbued with rice. The rice extends as it cooks, making a spiky appearance reminiscent of a porcupine—hence the title! This dish is a staple in numerous American families and has varieties over Canada, Mexico, and indeed Brazil. Looking for something similar? Check out Soup Village for another crowd-pleasing, vegetable-packed comfort soup with global roots.
Let’s jump into this comforting classic, total with tips, varieties, and capacity suggestions to make it your own.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Porcupine Soup Recipe
âś” Easy to make: Straightforward fixings and direct steps make this a extraordinary choice for beginners.
âś” One-pot ponder: Negligible cleanup implies more time to appreciate your meal.
âś” Rich and flavorful: Slow-simmered tomato sauce improves the profundity of flavor.
âś” Customizable: Effectively adjust to dietary needs (gluten-free, keto, or vegan choices available).
Ingredients for Porcupine Soup
Traditional Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground hamburger (or turkey for a leaner option)
- ½ container raw long-grain rice
- 1 little onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dark pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato soup
- 2 glasses meat broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning meatballs)
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ glass chopped carrots or celery for additional texture
- A sprint of ruddy pepper chips for heat
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Get ready the Meatball Mixture
In a expansive blending bowl, combine ground hamburger, rice, diced onion, garlic, salt, dark pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix tenderly with your hands until fair combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender. Roll the blend into 1-inch meatballs and put them on a plate.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs
Heat olive oil in a expansive pot over medium heat. Add meatballs in clumps, browning them on all sides (they don’t require to cook through at this stage). Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Soup Base
In the same pot, include diced tomatoes, tomato soup, meat broth, oregano, smoked paprika, and basil. Bring to a stew, blending to combine flavors.
Step 4: Stew Everything Together
Gently put the browned meatballs into the stewing porcupine soup. Cover and cook on moo warm for 25-30 minutes, permitting the rice interior the meatballs to expand. Stir once in a while to avoid sticking.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Taste and alter flavoring if needed. Garnish with new parsley and serve hot with dried up bread or buttered rolls.
Pro Tips & Common Botches to Avoid
Pro Tips:
âś” Utilize incline ground meat to decrease abundance grease.
âś” Guarantee rice is equitably disseminated for uniform cooking.
âś” Stew delicately to anticipate meatballs from breaking apart.
âś” Let the flavors merge by permitting the porcupine soup to rest for 10 minutes some time recently serving.
Common Mistakes:
❌ Overmixing the meat leads to thick meatballs.
❌ Skipping the browning step comes about in less flavorful meatballs.
❌ Utilizing quick-cook rice instep of long-grain rice influences texture.
Variations & Customizations
Vegan Version:
- Swap ground meat for cooked lentils and finely chopped mushrooms.
- Use vegetable broth and tomato sauce as the base.
Gluten-Free Adaptation:
- Ensure all canned fixings are certified gluten-free.
- Serve with gluten-free bread or crackers.
Keto-Friendly Option:
- Substitute rice with cauliflower rice.
- Use sugar-free tomato sauce to keep carbs low.
Best Ways to Serve & Store Porcupine Soup
Best Ways to Serve:
- Enjoy with a side of garlic bread or cornbread.
- Pair with a straightforward green serving of mixed greens for a adjusted meal. For a complete meal, consider pairing this with Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan, which complements the flavors beautifully with a sweet-savory twist.
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigeration: Store remains in an sealed shut holder for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Solidify in person parcels for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm over medium warm on the stove, including a sprinkle of broth if needed.

FAQs
How can I make porcupine meatballs with mushroom soup?
Instead of tomato soup, utilize cream of mushroom soup weakened with ½ container of broth. Take after the same cooking steps for a velvety, wealthy variation.
How do you make porcupine meatballs with tomato soup?
Simply supplant the broth with extra tomato soup and let the meatballs stew in it for a more strongly tomato flavor.
How to make porcupine meatballs with tomato soup?
This takes after the same method—browning meatballs to begin with, at that point stewing them in tomato soup until completely cooked.
Conclusion: Provide This Classic a Try!
Now that you have the extreme porcupine soup formula, it’s time to bring a few nostalgic consolation to your kitchen. Whether you take after the classic formula or put your possess turn on it, this dish is ensured to be a family favorite.
Try it out and let us know how it turns out! Share your considerations in the comments underneath, and don’t disregard to stick this formula for later!
Looking for more comforting soup formulas? Check out our collection on SavorDelish.com!
PrintPorcupine Soup Recipe: 5 Ultimate Tips You’ll Love!
Porcupine Soup is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender meatballs infused with rice, simmered in a rich tomato-based broth. The rice expands as it cooks, giving the meatballs a signature “porcupine” look. This nostalgic recipe, often enjoyed on chilly nights, is easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for bringing family and friends together around the table. Serve it with warm, buttered rolls or crusty bread for the ultimate cozy meal!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
- ½ cup raw long-grain rice
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Soup Base:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato soup
- 2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning meatballs)
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped carrots or celery for added texture
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, diced onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
-
Brown the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides (they do not need to be fully cooked at this stage).
- Remove the meatballs and set them aside.
-
Prepare the Soup Base
- In the same pot, add the diced tomatoes, tomato soup, beef broth, oregano, smoked paprika, and basil.
- Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
-
Simmer Everything Together
- Carefully add the browned meatballs into the simmering soup.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes, allowing the rice inside the meatballs to expand.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
-
Serve & Enjoy
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or buttered rolls.
Notes
- Make it Leaner: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all canned ingredients are gluten-free and serve with gluten-free bread.
- Keto-Friendly Version: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice and use sugar-free tomato sauce.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for extra heat.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg