Warm up with a bowl of comforting, flavorful taco soup! This recipe delivers a hearty meal that tastes like your favorite tacos in a spoon-ready format. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious without a lot of fuss. Get ready for quick prep and fantastic results with this family-friendly dish.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Soup
This taco soup recipe is a true winner for many reasons.
- Super easy to make: You only need a few simple steps and common pantry ingredients.
- Minimal cleanup: Everything cooks right in one pot, saving you precious time after dinner.
- Hugely customizable flavor: Easily adjust spices and toppings to suit everyone’s preferences.
- Crowd-pleasing and family-friendly: Even picky eaters will love building their own bowls with fun toppings.
- Great for meal prepping: It tastes even better the next day, making lunches a breeze.
Ingredients
Creating this delicious taco soup requires a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building its rich, savory profile.
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- 15 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 17 ounce can corn, drained
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
Toppings (Optional)
- Tortilla chips or Fritos
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Diced avocado
- Hot sauce
- Fresh cilantro
Notes & Substitutions
You have flexibility with many of these ingredients. Feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based crumble instead of ground beef. For beans, pinto beans or cannellini beans work well if you don’t have kidney or black beans on hand. You can also use fresh or frozen corn kernels instead of canned. Adjust the spice level by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat or reducing chili powder for a milder soup. If crushed tomatoes aren’t available, a can of diced tomatoes (blended for a smoother texture) or tomato sauce can substitute. Chicken or vegetable broth are excellent alternatives to beef broth, depending on your preference.
Equipment
You don’t need much specialized gear to make this fantastic taco soup.
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven (at least 5-quart capacity)
- Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Can opener for various canned ingredients
- Measuring spoons and cups for accuracy
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to prepare your easy one-pot taco soup. You’ll have a flavorful meal ready in no time.
- Brown the meat: Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned.
- Drain excess grease: Once the meat is cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. This keeps your soup from being too oily.
- Add garlic and spices: Return the pot to the stove. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, dried oregano, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper to the cooked meat. Sauté for just 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This helps to deepen the spice flavors.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and chiles: Pour in the undrained crushed tomatoes and add the diced green chiles. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Add beans and corn: Next, add the rinsed and drained kidney beans, black beans, and drained corn to the pot. Stir everything together gently.
- Pour in beef broth: Carefully pour in the 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth. Give it another good stir to ensure all ingredients are well mixed and submerged.
- Bring to a low boil: Increase the heat slightly and bring the soup mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid.
- Simmer for 20 minutes: Let the taco soup simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Ladle into bowls: Once the simmering time is complete, remove the pot from the heat. Ladle the hot soup into individual serving bowls.
- Garnish generously: Offer a variety of toppings and let everyone customize their own bowl.
- Serve hot and enjoy! Dig into your homemade, comforting taco soup.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve the best results with these simple tips. Always remember to drain any excess grease from your ground meat; it makes a big difference in the final texture and taste of your soup. For an even richer flavor, toast your spices with the garlic for about 30-60 seconds before adding liquids. If your soup is too thick, add a little more broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer. Always taste and adjust seasonings before serving, adding more salt or spices if needed. If your soup tastes bland, consider a pinch more salt or a dash of hot sauce.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile taco soup offers many ways to enjoy it.
Serving Suggestions
Offer a fun topping bar with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. This allows everyone to customize their bowl. Serve your soup alongside warm cornbread for a comforting touch or a crisp green side salad for a lighter meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover taco soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until warmed through.
Variations
Make this soup your own! For a vegetarian or vegan version, swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or extra beans and use vegetable broth. If you like heat, add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, or zucchini during the simmering stage. You can also adapt this recipe for a slow cooker (cook on low for 6-8 hours) or an Instant Pot (pressure cook for 10 minutes).
Nutrition
This taco soup is a hearty and satisfying meal. While specific nutritional values vary based on ingredients and portion sizes, this soup is generally a good source of protein from the ground meat and fiber from the beans and corn. It provides essential vitamins and minerals. To reduce sodium, opt for low-sodium broth and rinse canned goods thoroughly. Always consider toppings in your total nutritional intake.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350-450 |
| Protein | 25-30g |
| Fat | 15-20g |
| Carbohydrates | 35-45g |
| Fiber | 10-15g |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! This taco soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Simply store it in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to serve.
Is taco soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, it is very freezer-friendly! Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How can I make it spicier or milder?
To make it spicier, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices. For a milder soup, reduce the amount of chili powder or omit the diced green chiles.
What other toppings work well?
Beyond the suggested toppings, consider crushed red pepper flakes, a squeeze of lime juice, or a dollop of guacamole. A sprinkle of crumbled bacon also adds a delicious smoky flavor.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can easily substitute lean ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based ground for the beef. Adjust cooking time as needed until the meat is fully cooked.
Conclusion
This easy one-pot taco soup is truly a game-changer for quick, delicious meals. With minimal effort and simple ingredients, you can create a warm, flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week. It’s incredibly adaptable, making it a fantastic choice for pleasing diverse palates and dietary needs. Give this recipe a try and discover your new favorite go-to comfort food. Share your comments below with your favorite topping combinations!
