Soup Swaps Are the New Cookie Swap
I heard recently that soup swaps are the new cookie swaps. While I am unsure that soup will EVER replace cookies, swapping soup among friends is a great way to have a handy lunch in the freezer for those days when you are feeling under the weather or just plain lazy. I usually fall into the latter category.
Lunch Sucks
Now is the time for me to admit to you all that I absolutely hate making lunch. For me, it’s the worst meal of the day because it has to be small, yet satisfying (and not boring!). Most of the time when I cook, I like to go big. Since I work from home, it’s easy to look up from my keyboard and notice that it’s 2 pm and I haven’t eaten any lunch, or worse yet…anything at all. Suddenly I am starving! Usually I end up making scrambled eggs and toast because it’s easy and filling and I refuse to have canned soup in the pantry. Now that I’ve done my first soup exchange, my freezer is stocked and there are no excuses.
Fridge Soup
The soup that I made for our Bite Club exchange took very little time to make since I had some leftover Pork Carnitas in the fridge. This is a quick, meaty and warming soup for those very cold days when you wish you were on a sunny beach somewhere. Since I was making it for an exchange, I didn’t add any spice to it but I think you could add some chili flakes or float a cut chili in the soup as it’s cooking. Alternatively, add some hot sauce just before you eat it for that extra kick.
Tips on Hosting a Soup Swap
Here are some tips on hosting/participating in a soup swap.
- Limit the number of people. 6 seems to be a good number as not many people make more than 6 litres of soup at a time.
- Make sure everyone knows what kind of dietary restrictions/allergies are required.
- Include the recipe for your soup, reheating instructions, and if any extra stock will be needed for serving it.
- Freeze your soup in 1 litre portions ahead of time.
- If you use glass jars to freeze your soup, make sure there’s a LOT of room for expansion. No one likes glass in their soup.
- Here’s a great chance to use up all of your ‘Ukrainian Tupperware’. Reuse margarine and yoghurt containers.
- Don’t cheap out. No, I don’t want your 500 ml of soup for my full litre.
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Use Up Those Leftovers with Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
Pork Carnitas Black Bean Soup

Pork Carnitas Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pork shoulder; trimmed OR pork steaks
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 oranges; zested and juiced
- 2 limes; juiced
- 4 cloves garlic; minced
- FOR THE SOUP
- 6 cups shredded pork carnitas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion; diced
- 2 cloves garlic; finely minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 8 cups (2 L) chicken stock
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 - 14 oz cans black beans; drained and rinsed
- hot sauce (optional)
Method
For the Pork Carnitas- In a small bowl, mix herbs, spices, and salt together. Rub into the pork and season with pepper.
- Place pork in a slow cooker and add citrus juices, zest, and minced garlic.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the pork and enjoy!
- Add oil to a soup pot and sweat the diced onions on medium heat until they become translucent. Add garlic and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, and oregano and sauté for a minute or two.
- Add diced tomatoes and scrape the bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Add stock and let the soup come to a boil.
- Add pork and black beans, return to a boil.
- Serve or portion into containers for a soup swap!
Love the use of orange. It’s one of my favourite flavours with pork. Gotta try it!
I have to admit, I hate making lunch too. I go out for lunch more than I should, and like you I default to eggs and toast when I’m at home. A soup exchange is a great idea, and your pork carnitas soup looks delicious!
YES! I go out for lunch a lot too. Having soup is pretty handy 🙂
Looks yum! Winter’s got nothing on this!
Thank you Annika! I thought it looked extra cozy with my favourite toque and snuggly blanket.