Sopas is relatively easy to make. The meat is boiled first until tender. Sopas usually use chicken, but can also use beef or more rarely, diced pork or even turkey. It can also use leftover meat or processed meat like corned beef.[5] It is usually removed once tender and shredded with the bones discarded, but some recipes skip this part. The stock is saved for later.[6]Garlic and onions are then sautéed in butter briefly, before the stock is re-added and brought to a boil.[7]
Various finely diced vegetables are added and allowed to soften. The most commonly used are carrots and celery.[8] Roughly chopped cabbage, another common ingredient, is added just before the dish is completely cooked.[2] Some variants may also use finely diced potatoes, green peas, green beans, or kinchay (Chinese celery).[9][10] It is also common to exclude vegetables altogether.[4]
It is usually consumed immediately, as the macaroni will absorb the liquid and become soggy and bloated over time.[11]
The steps may vary. Some versions boil the macaroni throughout, resulting in a soft mushy texture. Others do not de-bone or shred the meat, and may brown it beforehand by sautéing it with the garlic and onions.[5] Others also prepare the dish faster by using store-bought bouillon cubes rather than prepare the stock.[12][13]
A distinct cheap version of the dish is corned beef sopas which uses corned beef in place of chicken. Its preparation is identical to classic versions, though it does not need to be boiled beforehand.[14]
