Sopa de Navidad Recipe: Mallorcan Christmas Soup with Galets 2026

Sopa de Navidad is a beloved Mallorcan Christmas soup that brings together a deeply savory homemade broth and plump galets stuffed with a seasoned meat filling. It is the kind of starter that feels both festive and deeply comforting, the sort of dish that anchors a holiday meal.

The broth simmers slowly with chicken, pork, and beef bones along with carrots, leek, celery, turnip, and parsnip, building layers of flavor that you simply cannot rush. Meanwhile, the galets are filled with a simple mixture of ground meat, egg, parsley, and garlic powder, then cooked right in the strained broth just before serving.

One of the best things about this soup is that it can be prepared ahead. The broth and the stuffed galets can be kept separately, and the raw filled pasta can even be frozen, so all you have to do is reheat and assemble when the moment comes. It is an elegant yet practical way to welcome the holidays.

Ingredients for Sopa de Navidad

For 4 servings

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 chicken carcass
• 1 chicken backbone
• 1 piece of pork backbone
• 1 piece of beef bone
• 2 carrots
• 1 leek
• ½ celery stalk
• 1 turnip
• 1 parsnip
• 2.5 liters water
• Salt
• 200 g ground meat (mix of beef and pork)
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg
• 1 small bunch parsley
• 24 galets

How to Make Sopa de Navidad Step by Step

1. Brown the meats

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add the chicken carcass, chicken backbone, pork backbone, and beef bone, and brown them over high heat, turning so they toast evenly.

2. Cut the vegetables

Meanwhile, wash and cut the 2 carrots, 1 leek, ½ celery stalk, 1 turnip, and 1 parsnip into large chunks.

3. Add the vegetables to the pot

When the meats are nicely browned, add the vegetables to the pot on top of the meats.

4. Pour in the water

Pour in 2.5 liters of water, covering the ingredients and a little more. Add salt, keeping in mind that the ham already adds saltiness and that you can adjust at the end.

5. Skim and simmer the broth

Bring the broth to a boil over high heat for about 10 minutes. Use a skimmer to remove the foam that forms, as these are impurities. Then lower the heat, cover the pot, and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes over low heat so the flavors meld.

6. Prepare the galets filling

While the broth cooks, prepare the stuffed galets. In a bowl, mix 200 g of ground meat (half pork and half beef) with salt, freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 egg, and 1 small bunch of finely chopped parsley. Mix until homogeneous.

7. Fill the galets

Transfer the filling to a piping bag, or a freezer bag used as a piping bag if you don't have one, and fill 24 galets, calculating about six per person.

8. Strain the broth

When the broth is ready, strain it and reserve the meats for other uses.

9. Cook the galets in the broth

Return the strained broth to the heat, adjust the salt, and cook the stuffed galets for the time indicated by the manufacturer, generally between 8 and 10 minutes, avoiding overcooking the pasta so the filling doesn't escape.

10. Serve the hot soup

Finally, serve the soup very hot, placing a generous amount of broth and 6 stuffed galets in each bowl, and bring this comforting, tradition-filled starter to the table.

Tips for the Best Sopa de Navidad

Make it ahead

This soup is wonderfully versatile because it can be prepared in advance. The broth and the stuffed galets can be stored separately, and the raw filled galets can even be frozen. Just reheat and assemble right before serving to keep everything fresh and full of flavor.

Use the leftover meats

The meats used to make the broth are not wasted; they can be turned into croquettes, cannelloni, or even ropa vieja, extending the enjoyment of this dish well beyond the holiday table.

Serve with care

Elegant and practical, this Christmas soup brings together unique, comforting flavors and reflects the tradition, creativity, and spirit of sharing that defines the holidays.

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If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

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When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

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