Authentic Mexican Caldo de Res (Beef and Vegetable Soup)

Caldo de Res is a beloved dish from Michoacán, often prepared by my family—my mother, uncles, and grandmother. Traditionally, we enjoyed it with slices of banana, rice, lime juice, and salsa, a combination that may sound unusual but is surprisingly delightful! While we’ve moved away from that practice as we've grown older, I encourage you to give it a try. This hearty soup is perfect for rainy days or chilly weather, although my mom would whip it up even when it was scorching outside—a classic Mexican tradition! Whenever I saw the salsa de molcajete on the table, I knew we were either having this comforting soup or carne asada.