Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Savor the deliciousness of our quick and easy Taco Soup recipe that’s packed with irresistible Mexican flavors. In just half an hour, you can enjoy a steaming bowl of this hearty soup. With only 30 minutes of preparation, you’ll be treating yourself to a delightful blend of ground beef, tomatoes, corn, beans, and a speedy homemade taco seasoning. It’s a tasty and fuss-free way to satisfy your cravings!
The Best Taco Soup Recipe
Mexican flavors are a constant favorite in our home, with Chicken Fajitas, Fish Tacos, and Ceviche making regular appearances. When you’re in the mood for a warm and satisfying alternative to Taco Tuesday, our Taco Soup steps up to the plate.
Still undecided? Here are some compelling reasons to dive into this easy taco soup:
Ingredients
Creating this taco soup is a breeze, as most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. To infuse that genuine Mexican taste, we whip up a quick homemade taco seasoning. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:
Pro Tip
Don’t forget to give your canned beans and corn a good rinse before tossing them into the soup. They often pack some extra salt, and rinsing helps dial it down. It’s a smart move to take control of the seasoning by adding salt based on your own taste buds. So, when it comes to flavor, trust your judgment and sprinkle accordingly!
Substitutions
Taco soup is like a culinary canvas, ready for your personal touch! Give these creative tweaks a shot to make it uniquely yours:
- Spice it Up: Craving more heat? Toss in some chopped jalapeños when you’re sautéing the garlic. If you prefer, stir in Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce at the end for that extra kick.
- Play with Texture: Fine-tune the thickness of your soup by adjusting the amount of broth. If you like it heartier, throw in an additional can of beans or experiment with refried beans for a thicker, more satisfying texture.
- Protein Swap: Shake things up by trying a different protein. Whether it’s ground turkey, pork, or chicken, each brings its flavor to the table. It’s a tasty way to customize your taco soup experience.
Feel free to get adventurous and mix and match these ideas to create a taco soup that fits your taste buds and preferences. After all, the best meals are the ones that reflect your unique style in the kitchen!
How to Make Taco Soup
Here’s a quick and simple breakdown of how to whip up the best taco soup in just 30 minutes:
- Prepare Taco Seasoning: Mix up the taco seasoning ingredients and set them aside for later.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a Dutch oven, heat some oil and cook the ground beef until it’s nicely browned. Sprinkle just a hint of the taco seasoning to give the meat a flavorful kick.
- Chop Veggies: While the beef is cooking, chop the onion and cube the peppers and tomatoes.
- Combine and Simmer: Add all the chopped veggies, along with the rest of the ingredients and the prepared seasoning, to the cooked ground beef. Let it all simmer on low heat for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Once everything has melded together into a savory symphony, ladle out your piping-hot taco soup and savor the goodness!
Once the flavors have melded together, serve your flavorful taco soup and relish the deliciousness!
With these simple steps, you’ll have a delicious taco soup on the table in no time, ready to warm you up and satisfy those Mexican flavor cravings.
Common Questions:
- How does taco soup differ from chili?
Taco soup and chili share common ingredients, but the key distinction lies in their thickness and seasonings. Taco soup tends to be more liquid, while chili has a heartier texture. We opt for Taco Seasoning in taco soup to infuse that authentic Mexican taste into the mix.
- Is it possible to prepare Taco Soup using a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Once you’ve browned the meat in step two, shift the cooked meat and all the ingredients into a slow cooker. Let it cook on low for 4-6 hours, or choose the high setting for a faster 2-3 hour cook time.
- Does Taco Soup fall into the category of low-carb dishes?
As it stands, the Taco Soup recipe isn’t low-carb, but with some adjustments, it can align with a low-carb or keto diet. Just skip the beans and any carb-loaded toppings, such as tortilla strips.
Toppings for Taco Soup
When we dish out taco soup, we go all out with our favorite taco toppings. It’s a fun setup – we place these toppings in separate bowls on the table, just like you’d do with tacos. Here’s a lineup of tasty toppings to experiment with:
Feel free to mix and match these toppings to create your perfect bowl of taco soup!
Make-Ahead
Taco soup stays deliciously fresh, ensuring not a drop goes to waste!
- For Refrigeration: Pop it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge—good for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: If you’re thinking ahead, transfer the soup into freezer-friendly containers or convenient zip-top bags. We even freeze it in individual servings for hassle-free defrosting.
- To Reheat: When it’s time to enjoy it again, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, warm it up in an instant using the microwave or stove. Easy and tasty, just the way it should be!
More Soup Recipes to try:
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning or 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning
- 16 oz can beans drained (kidney or pinto)
- 1 cup corn canned, freshly or frozen
- 1 1/2 cups tomatoes diced, from about 1 lb fresh tomatoes*
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Create your Taco Soup effortlessly with these steps:
- Taco Seasoning: Make your own or measure out 2 tablespoons from a store-bought packet.
- Dutch Oven Magic: Heat oil in a large pot, then add ground beef, onions, and bell peppers. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Remove excess fat.
- Flavor Infusion: Stir in garlic and Taco Seasoning, letting it cook for about a minute.
- Add the Goodness: Toss in beans, corn, tomatoes, and broth. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Perfecting the Taste: Adjust the flavor with salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning.
- Serving Time: Dish out the hot soup and personalize it with your favorite toppings. Enjoy your delightful bowl of goodness!
Notes
- If you’re in the mood for a spicier taco soup, toss in some finely chopped jalapeno when you add the garlic. To kick up the heat even more, swap out fresh tomatoes for 2 cans of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis.