If you’ve been on the hunt for a warm, comforting meal that packs a punch of flavor without any fuss, you are going to love this Easy Taco Soup Recipe. It’s an inviting blend of savory beef, hearty beans, vibrant corn, and a medley of spices that come together in a rich, tomato-based broth. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this soup brings all the familiar tastes of your favorite tacos into one pot, making dinner time something to look forward to. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients together for this Easy Taco Soup Recipe is super straightforward. Each component plays an essential role, adding layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this soup so irresistible and satisfying.
- Lean ground beef (1 pound): Provides rich, savory protein with a meaty base that makes the soup hearty and filling.
- Small onion, chopped: Adds subtle sweetness and a mild bite to balance out the spices.
- Garlic cloves, minced (4-5): Brings aromatic depth and a flavorful punch to every spoonful.
- Beef or chicken broth (4 cups): Creates the comforting, savory liquid that carries all the ingredients.
- Canned corn (15 oz), drained: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and a pop of vibrant color.
- Canned black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed: Introduces hearty texture and a boost of protein and fiber.
- Canned chili beans in chili sauce (15 oz): Brings a tasty kick along with extra spice and depth.
- Canned crushed tomatoes (28 oz): Offers a rich, slightly tangy base that ties the soup together beautifully.
- Canned chopped green chiles (4 oz): Delivers a gentle heat and a subtle smokiness that balances the flavors.
- Chili powder (1 tbsp): The star spice adding warmth and authentic taco flavor.
- Cumin (2 tsp): Provides an earthy undertone that’s quintessential in taco seasoning.
- Dried oregano (1 tsp): Adds a hint of herbal complexity that lifts the soup’s flavor profile.
- Onion powder (1 tsp): Enhances the savory base without overpowering.
- Garlic powder (1 tsp): Complementary to fresh garlic, layering in extra garlic flavor.
- Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that bring everything into delicious harmony with just the right heat.
- Shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, cilantro, tortilla chips, and lime wedges: Perfect toppings and sides to customize each bowl.
How to Make Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your lean ground beef and chopped onion, stirring frequently to break up the meat as it cooks. Once the beef loses its pink color and the onion is soft, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another two minutes until the kitchen smells amazing and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients
Next, pour in your broth along with the drained corn, black beans, chili beans in chili sauce, crushed tomatoes, and chopped green chiles. Sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder. Don’t forget to season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper according to your heat preference. Stir everything together to combine and coat all those ingredients with the delicious spices.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Bring your soup to a gentle simmer by turning the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. If you have time, letting it simmer a bit longer intensifies the taste and makes each spoonful even more flavorful.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Once you’re done simmering, ladle the steaming hot taco soup into bowls and prepare for the best part: the toppings. Whether you like yours loaded with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, or a handful of crunchy tortilla chips, this soup is your canvas for delicious creativity.
How to Serve Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishes elevate this Easy Taco Soup Recipe from simple to sensational. Freshly shredded cheese melts beautifully on the hot soup, sour cream adds a creamy cooling effect, and sliced green onions bring a fresh crunch. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro brightens every bite, while a squeeze of lime juice just before serving adds that perfect zing to brighten the flavors.
Side Dishes
While this soup is hearty on its own, pairing it with some classic sides can take your meal up a notch. Try serving it alongside warm, buttery cornbread, crispy tortilla chips for dipping, or even a light green salad to balance the richness. Each side brings its own texture and flavor that harmonizes perfectly with the bold soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Easy Taco Soup Recipe in mini bread bowls or rustic mugs to make your meal feel extra special and cozy. You can also layer the soup in a clear glass with toppings on top for a ‘taco in a jar’ look that’s visually fun and perfect for parties. Adding a few colorful garnishes right before serving turns this humble soup into a feast for the eyes and palate alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This soup tastes fantastic the next day because the flavors deepen overnight. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it’s cooled completely before sealing to keep it fresh and delicious.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Easy Taco Soup Recipe later, it freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for a quick, comforting meal.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 1-2 minutes for even heating. Add extra broth or water if the soup thickened too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the ground beef for a plant-based protein or extra beans, and use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth. The spices and veggies will still make it incredibly flavorful.
What if I don’t have chili beans in chili sauce?
If you can’t find chili beans in chili sauce, substitute with canned pinto beans or kidney beans mixed with a little chili powder and tomato sauce for a similar taste and texture.
Can I prepare this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can add all ingredients to a slow cooker, either raw or pre-browned beef, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours. It makes things even easier when you want the flavors to meld all day.
How spicy is this soup?
The heat level is customizable. The cayenne and chili powder add warmth, but you can adjust the amount or omit cayenne to suit your spice preference perfectly.
What toppings work best with Easy Taco Soup Recipe?
Classic toppings include shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, and tortilla chips. For extra fun, try avocado slices, jalapeño peppers, or crushed up spicy chips for a crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Taco Soup Recipe is truly a winner for anyone craving a comforting, flavorful meal that comes together quickly with pantry staples. It’s cozy, customizable, and charmingly simple, making it a perfect dinner choice any day of the week. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Description
This easy taco soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and a blend of traditional taco spices come together in a savory broth, simmered to perfection and topped with classic garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. Simple to prepare with stovetop or slow cooker options, this comforting soup is a tasty way to enjoy all the beloved taco flavors in a warm, satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (946ml) beef or chicken broth or stock
- 1 (15 oz) (432g) canned corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 (28 oz) (793g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) (113g) canned chopped green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics (Stovetop): In a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the beef or chicken broth, drained corn, black beans, chili beans, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid and simmer the soup on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a deeper, richer flavor, you may simmer the soup longer to develop the spices.
- Serve: Ladle the taco soup into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, cilantro, tortilla chips, and lime wedges as desired.
- Slow Cooker Option: Place raw ground beef in the bottom of the crockpot, breaking it into small chunks, or brown it beforehand for extra flavor. Add all other ingredients except toppings, mix well, cover, and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- For a spicier soup, add extra cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth.
- You can customize toppings to include avocado, jalapeños, or chopped tomatoes.
