Taco Soup Recipe

This hearty Taco Soup is made with seasoned ground beef, a rich tomato base, and a mix of kidney, pinto, and black beans. The result is a savory, satisfying one-pot meal that has all the flavors of your favorite taco. This cozy soup is perfect for a weeknight dinner, and with a recipe that serves six, it’s a meal the whole family will love.

Taco Soup Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
• Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, diced avocado, chopped cilantro

How To Make Taco Soup

1. Brown the meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Use a spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
2. Add the seasonings: Stir the packet of taco seasoning into the cooked beef and onion mixture. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Combine the ingredients: Add the drained and rinsed beans, corn, diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Serve and top: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Serve with your favorite taco toppings like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips.

Recipe Tips

• Drain Your Canned Beans: While some recipes call for leaving the liquid, draining and rinsing the beans helps reduce the sodium content and gives you more control over the final flavor.
• Add More Flavor: For a richer soup, use beef broth instead of some of the tomato sauce. You can also add a packet of ranch dressing mix for a tangy, creamy flavor boost.
• Adjust the Spice Level: To make the soup spicier, you can add a can of diced green chiles or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
• Don’t Rush the Simmer: The longer the soup simmers, the deeper and more complex the flavor will become. If you have time, let it simmer for up to an hour.

What To Serve Taco Soup

This one-pot Taco Soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A side of warm cornbread or jalapeño cornbread is a perfect match for the savory flavors of the soup. You can also serve a fresh green salad with a bright vinaigrette to balance the richness. For extra texture, serve with a side of crispy tortilla chips for dipping.

How To Store Taco Soup Leftovers

• Taco soup is a great recipe for meal prepping as it stores and reheats very well.
• Refrigerate: Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will deepen overnight, making it even better the next day.
• Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully. Transfer the cooled soup to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Taco Soup Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 62mg
• Sodium: 1541mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 62g
• Dietary Fiber: 18g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 36g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent, leaner substitutes for ground beef in this recipe. Just cook the meat and onion as instructed and proceed with the rest of the recipe.
• How can I make this soup thicker? The soup will naturally thicken as it simmers. If you prefer a very thick soup, you can reduce the amount of tomato sauce or add a little bit of cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water) at the end and simmer until thickened.
• Is taco soup the same as chili? While they share some common ingredients like ground meat, beans, and a tomato base, taco soup is typically thinner and more broth-like, with a distinct taco-flavored seasoning. Chili is usually much thicker and often has a richer, more complex flavor from a longer simmering time and different spices.

Try More Recipes:

• Tea Kettle Noodle Soup Recipe
• Tex Mex Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
• Tex-Mex Meatball Soup Recipe