Easy Taco Soup Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl for Chilly Nights

Steaming bowls of hearty taco soup dance with vibrant flavors that instantly warm the soul.

This southwestern-inspired recipe brings zesty Mexican spices right to your kitchen table.

Bold and comforting, taco soup combines ground beef, beans, and aromatic seasonings in one delicious pot.

Weeknight dinners never looked so delectable with this simple yet satisfying meal.

Fresh toppings like shredded cheese, crisp cilantro, and tangy sour cream add the perfect finishing touch.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Gather your ingredients and prepare for a culinary adventure that transforms an ordinary evening into a festive fiesta.

Taco Soup Reasons This Bowl Is a Winner

• Toss all ingredients into one pot with minimal prep, making this recipe a breeze for busy cooks who want delicious meals without complex steps.
• Packed with hearty ingredients like beans, meat, and vegetables, this soup delivers robust flavors that satisfy everyone from kids to adults.
• Top with your favorite garnishes like cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños to personalize each bowl and create a unique dining experience.
• Perfect for large gatherings, potlucks, or preparing ahead since the recipe yields a generous amount and tastes even better the next day.

Must-Have Ingredients for Savory Taco Soup

• Hamburger Meat: A hearty and flavorful base that adds richness and substance to the taco soup.

• Diced Tomatoes, Rotel, Tomato Sauce: Provide a tangy and slightly spicy tomato foundation for the soup.
• Corn, Black Beans, Kidney Beans: Add texture, nutrition, and a classic southwestern flavor profile.

• Taco Seasoning, Dry Ranch Seasoning: Deliver a bold and zesty flavor that transforms the soup into a delicious taco-inspired dish.

• Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Jalapenos: Offer customizable finishing touches that enhance the soup's taste and presentation.

Tools for the Easiest Taco Soup Night Ever

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning hamburger meat evenly and draining excess fat.
• Large Pot: Essential for combining and simmering all ingredients together.
• Wooden Spoon: Helps stir ingredients smoothly and prevent sticking.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately adding taco and ranch seasonings.
• Ladle: Makes serving the soup into bowls easy and mess-free.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing toppings like jalapenos.
• Knife: Needed for chopping jalapenos or preparing optional toppings.

How to Cook Up Spicy Taco Soup in No Time

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook ground beef until it turns a rich golden brown.

Carefully drain away any extra grease to keep the soup light and flavorful.

Step 2: Transfer Meat

Move the perfectly browned beef into a large cooking pot, preparing it for the next delicious stage.

Step 3: Pour In Vibrant Ingredients

• Diced tomatoes
• Sweet corn kernels
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Rotel tomatoes
• Smooth tomato sauce

Step 4: Sprinkle Flavor Boosters

Generously shake in two packets of zesty taco seasoning and one packet of tangy ranch seasoning.

These will transform your soup into a flavor explosion.

Step 5: Mix With Love

Stir all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring every spoonful will be packed with deliciousness.

Step 6: Create Bubbling Magic

Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Step 7: Low And Slow Cooking

Reduce heat to low, letting the soup bubble softly for one full hour.

Occasionally stir to prevent sticking and distribute flavors.

Step 8: Serve With Flair

Ladle the steaming soup into welcoming bowls.

Step 9: Garnish And Enjoy

• Cool sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Sliced jalapeños

Best Tips for Bold, Hearty Taco Soup Flavor

• Choose ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 fat content for a juicier soup without excessive grease.
• Completely drain browned meat to prevent a greasy soup texture and reduce unnecessary calories.
• Add a splash of beef broth or water if the soup seems too thick, enhancing overall taste and consistency.
• Adjust taco and ranch seasoning quantities to match your preferred heat and flavor intensity.
• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans for a delicious meatless version.

Taco Soup Variations to Suit Every Palate

• Vegetarian Taco Soup: Replace hamburger meat with plant-based crumbles or diced tofu for a meat-free version packed with protein.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use no-salt-added canned beans and tomatoes, and replace commercial taco seasoning with homemade spice blend to reduce sodium content.
• Chicken Taco Soup: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast for a lighter protein alternative.
• Instant Pot Speedster: Convert the recipe to pressure cooker method, reducing cooking time to 15-20 minutes while maintaining rich, robust flavors.

Ways to Serve Taco Soup at Family Gatherings

• Cheese Lover's Delight: Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese on top for a melty, gooey texture that adds richness to every spoonful.
• Crunch Corner: Add crispy tortilla strips or crushed corn chips for a satisfying crunch that complements the soup's hearty base.
• Fresh Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, diced green onions, or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the flavors and add a fresh, zesty element.
• Bread Buddy: Serve alongside warm cornbread, garlic toast, or butter-toasted tortillas to soak up the delicious soup and make the meal more filling.

Storing Taco Soup for Quick Weeknight Dinners

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Stays good for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if soup seems too thick, ensuring even heating without burning.

FAQs

• Is taco soup a healthy meal?

Taco soup can be nutritious with lean ground beef, beans providing protein, and vegetables offering vitamins. It’s a balanced one-pot meal with multiple food groups.

• Can I make taco soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, absolutely! Brown the meat first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours for a convenient meal preparation.

• What type of ground meat works best for this recipe?

Lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) is ideal. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version without compromising flavor.

Taco Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty taco soup delivers a fiesta of Mexican-inspired flavors in one comforting bowl. Savory ground beef, zesty spices, and colorful vegetables create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) hamburger meat

Beans and Vegetables:

• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can Rotel

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 2 packets taco seasoning
• 1 packet dry ranch seasoning
• 1 can tomato sauce

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Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains, carefully draining excess grease.
2. Transfer cooked meat to a large cooking pot, preparing for soup assembly.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes, whole kernel corn, black beans, kidney beans, Rotel tomatoes, and tomato sauce directly into the pot.
4. Generously sprinkle taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix over the ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
5. Thoroughly mix all components until seasonings are completely integrated and ingredients are well-coated.
6. Heat the mixture to a gentle bubbling point over medium temperature, stirring periodically.
7. Reduce heat to low, allowing soup to simmer and develop flavors for approximately 45-60 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
8. When soup reaches desired consistency and flavors have melded, remove from heat.
9. Ladle into serving bowls, creating an inviting presentation.
10. Customize individual portions with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños for added texture and zest.

Notes

• Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different dietary needs.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beans and selecting reduced-sodium taco and ranch seasoning packets.
• Enhance protein content by adding quinoa or extra beans during the simmering process for a more substantial meal.
• Boost vegetable variety by incorporating diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg