Hearty Taco Soup Recipe

Quick Fiesta in a Bowl: Simple Taco Soup Recipe

Steaming bowls of this taco soup recipe burst with robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Latin-inspired spices swirl through a rich, comforting base packed with ground beef and beans.

Each spoonful delivers a warm embrace of Mexican-style goodness.

Tender vegetables mingle with perfectly seasoned meat, creating a symphony of textures.

The soup comes together effortlessly, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution.

Hungry souls will find pure satisfaction in this delectable one-pot wonder.

Gather your ingredients and prepare to savor a meal that promises to become a family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

All Ingredients For Easy Taco Soup

For Protein:
  • Ground Beef: Hearty base that adds rich, meaty flavor and satisfying texture to the soup, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
  • Taco Seasoning: Infuses the meat with zesty, authentic Mexican-inspired spices, opt for low-sodium versions for better control.
For Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onion: Brings sweet, foundational depth to the soup's flavor profile, select firm, fragrant yellow onions.
  • Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic undertone that elevates the entire dish, look for plump, smooth bulbs.
  • Corn: Adds sweet, fresh crunch and vibrant color, frozen or canned corn work equally well.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: Delivers spicy, tangy kick with diced green chilies, choose original or mild based on heat preference.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Creates a robust, chunky base with bright acidity, no-salt-added varieties offer more flavor control.
For Liquid and Enhancement:
  • Tomato Sauce: Smooths and enriches the soup's overall consistency, pick high-quality, vine-ripened varieties.
  • Broth: Provides essential liquid and depth, chicken or beef broth work perfectly, low-sodium recommended.
  • Black Beans, Kidney Beans: Contribute protein-packed, creamy texture, rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
  • Cheese, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips: Delightful garnishes that add creamy, crunchy, and tangy finishing touches.

Tools You’ll Use For Easy Taco Soup

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking ground beef and combining all ingredients, providing ample space for simmering.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients while cooking.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add taco seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Ladle: Convenient for serving soup into individual bowls.
  • Cutting Board: Optional for chopping onions and garlic if needed.
  • Can Opener: Useful for opening canned beans and tomatoes.

Simple Steps To Cook Easy Taco Soup

  • Brown Tasty Meat

Heat up a big pot and toss in ground beef. Crumble the meat while cooking until it turns a rich, golden brown. Throw in chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance around and release their amazing flavors.

  • Create Flavor Magic

Sprinkle in zesty taco seasoning, giving the meat a spicy kick. Pour in a mix of beans, sweet corn, tangy tomatoes, and a splash of broth. Stir everything together until the ingredients become best friends.

  • Simmer and Celebrate

Let the soup bubble gently on low heat for about 25 minutes. The flavors will mingle and get to know each other, creating a mouthwatering blend. When it’s ready, scoop into bowls and crown with a sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of creamy sour cream, and some crunchy tortilla chips for extra excitement.

Flavor Tips For Easy Taco Soup

  • Flavor Boost: Add a splash of lime juice or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro just before serving to brighten the soup's taste and add a fresh zesty kick.
  • Slow Cooker Magic: Transform this recipe into a hands-off meal by browning the meat first, then transferring everything to a slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Vegetarian Twist: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a protein-packed meatless version that's just as satisfying and hearty.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes, or add a diced jalapeño for extra kick. Can't handle spice? Use regular diced tomatoes instead.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and reheat for a quick and easy meal on busy nights.

How To Serve Easy Taco Soup Comfortably

  • Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty taco soup in deep ceramic bowls to capture all the delicious broth and toppings, creating a warm and inviting meal experience.
  • Taco Night Extravaganza: Transform this soup into a DIY taco soup bar where guests can customize their bowls with various toppings like diced avocados, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and lime wedges.
  • Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Pair the soup with cornbread, warm tortillas, or even crispy quesadillas for a complete and satisfying meal that's perfect for watching sports or feeding a hungry group.
  • Leftover Magic: Store the soup in airtight containers for easy lunch prep or freeze in portions for quick weeknight meals, ensuring you always have a delicious option ready to go.

Easy Taco Soup Storage And Meal Prep

  • Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftover taco soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated soup stays delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining rich flavors and texture when sealed properly.
  • Quick Freeze Method: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze up to 3 months without losing taste quality. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain soup's original zesty profile.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add splash of broth if soup seems thick, restoring original consistency and preventing dry edges.
  • Portion Control Hack: Divide soup into single-serving containers before refrigerating or freezing. This approach allows quick individual meals, reduces waste, and provides convenient grab-and-go lunch options for busy days.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hearty Taco Soup Recipe

Hearty Taco Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty taco soup delivers a zesty Mexican-inspired meal packed with ground beef, beans, and spices. Comforting and quick, this one-pot wonder satisfies hungry diners with bold flavors you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground turkey or ground chicken (optional alternative)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans (drained & rinsed)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) corn (drained)
  • 1 can (10 oz / 285 g) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes (with juices)
  • 4 cups beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
  • 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) taco seasoning
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (optional)
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Tortilla chips or cornbread
  • Chopped cilantro & green onions
  • Sliced jalapenos (for extra heat)

Instructions

  1. Sear Protein: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it down into crumbly pieces until developing a rich caramelized exterior (5-6 minutes).
  2. Aromatics Fusion: Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence, coating the meat with taco seasoning to infuse robust flavor throughout.
  3. Liquid Landscape Creation: Stream in Rotel, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, corn kernels, and beans, stirring to integrate all components into a harmonious mixture that promises depth and complexity.
  4. Flavor Development: Bring the soup to a brief boil, then reduce heat and allow the concoction to simmer gently, enabling ingredients to marry and intensify their collective flavor profile for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  5. Finishing Touch: Conduct a final seasoning evaluation, adjusting salt and spices as needed, then ladle the hearty soup into serving bowls, garnishing with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crisp tortilla chips for textural contrast.

Notes

  • Control Beef Browning: Ensure meat is cooked at medium-high heat to develop rich caramelization without burning, creating deeper flavor complexity.
  • Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using homemade or store-bought blends, allowing personalization for mild or bold palate preferences.
  • Optimize Liquid Consistency: Monitor soup’s thickness during simmering, adding extra broth if too dense or reducing heat if too thin for ideal texture.
  • Dietary Modification Options: Easily transform recipe by substituting ground beef with turkey, plant-based crumbles, or omitting meat entirely for vegetarian adaptation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 10 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star