Have you ever been stuck between wanting the comforting warmth of a good soup and the zesty, fun flavors of a taco? It is a common kitchen dilemma. Well, I have some fantastic news for you. You do not have to choose anymore. This recipe brings both of those worlds together beautifully.
We are making a delicious, easy Taco Soup today. It has all the wonderful things you love about tacos. Think seasoned ground beef, hearty beans, and sweet corn, all swimming in a savory broth. It is the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out and puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what is not to love? This is easily the Best Taco Soup Recipe for busy weeknights. It is incredibly straightforward and does not require any fancy cooking skills. If you can brown meat and open a can, you can make this soup. It is that simple.
The flavor you get is just fantastic. We are using a simple homemade taco seasoning that really makes a difference. It gives the soup a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy taste that is so much better than store bought packets. Your kitchen will smell amazing while it simmers.
Another great thing is how versatile it is. You can tweak the ingredients to your liking. Want it spicier? Add more jalapeño. Prefer a different protein? Ground turkey works great. It is a wonderful base recipe that you can truly make your own.
And let’s talk about the toppings. This is where the real fun begins. Everyone at the table can customize their own bowl. Set out some shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and crunchy tortilla chips. It becomes an interactive meal that even picky eaters will get excited about.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this Taco Soup are simple and easy to find. You might already have most of them in your pantry and fridge right now.
For the Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tsp. Chili Powder
- 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp. Mexican Oregano
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
For the Taco Soup
- 2 tsp. Avocado or Olive Oil
- 1/2 cup chopped Onion (white or yellow)
- 8 oz. Lean Ground Beef (like 93/7)
- 1 cup chopped Cherry Tomatoes or Roma Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. finely chopped Jalapeño
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 can (15 oz.) Black Beans, drained
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh Corn
- 3 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
- 1 tbsp. Lime Juice
- 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh Cilantro
Optional Toppings
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- chopped Green Onion or Red Onion
- finely chopped Cilantro
- Tortilla Chips or Strips
- Hot Sauce
Step By Step Instructions
Making this Taco Soup Stove Top recipe could not be easier. Just follow along with these simple steps for a warm and satisfying meal.
Step 1: Make The Taco Seasoning
First things first, let’s get our flavors ready. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, and salt. Give it a good mix until everything is well blended. This little step adds a ton of depth to your soup. Set it aside for now.
Step 2: Cook The Onions
Grab a deep saucepan or a Dutch oven. A pot around 3.5 to 5 quarts is a good size. Heat your avocado or olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chopped onion along with a small pinch of salt. The salt helps the onions release their moisture.
Cook them for about five to six minutes, stirring every so often. You want them to get soft and for some of them to get a little bit of light brown color. This brings out their natural sweetness and builds the first layer of flavor for our delicious Taco Soup.
Step 3: Brown The Beef and Add Seasoning
Now add the lean ground beef to the pot with the onions. Use a spoon to break it up into smaller crumbles. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink. This should take about five to seven minutes. If there is a lot of excess fat, you can carefully drain it off.
Next, sprinkle that homemade taco seasoning you made earlier all over the cooked beef. Stir it all together so that every little bit of meat is coated in those wonderful spices. Let it cook for another minute to toast the spices and really bring out their aroma.
Step 4: Add More Flavor
It is time to add more delicious ingredients. Add the chopped tomatoes and the finely chopped jalapeño to the pot. Stir them in and let them cook for a couple of minutes. The tomatoes will start to soften and release their juices.
Then, add the minced garlic. You only need to cook the garlic for about 30 seconds to a minute. Just until you can start to smell it. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can become bitter.
Step 5: Simmer The Soup
Now for the main event. Pour in the low sodium beef broth. Add the drained black beans and the corn. Stir everything together well. This is when it really starts to look like the Best Taco Soup you have ever seen.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Once it is simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This gives all those amazing flavors a chance to meld together. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be.
Step 6: Finish And Serve
Just before you are ready to serve, turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice and the finely chopped cilantro. The lime juice adds a wonderful brightness that really lifts all the other flavors. The cilantro adds a fresh, herby note. Give it one last stir.
Ladle your beautiful Taco Soup into bowls. Now comes the best part. Set out all of your favorite toppings and let everyone build their own masterpiece. Enjoy it while it is hot.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover Taco Soup, you are in luck. It tastes even better the next day. Storing it is very simple.
First, let the soup cool down completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, simply warm it up in a pot on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave.
This soup also freezes really well. For longer storage, pour the cooled soup into freezer safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips
Want to make this the Best Taco Soup Recipe for your family? Here are a few simple tips and tricks to customize it.
If you like your food with a bit more of a kick, feel free to add more jalapeño. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco seasoning. Or, just have your favorite hot sauce ready at the table.
You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. If you want to make a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat and add an extra can of beans, like pinto or kidney beans.
Feel free to add more vegetables to this Taco Soup. Chopped bell peppers or zucchini would be a great addition. Just add them in with the onions so they have time to soften.
For a creamier soup, you can stir in a few ounces of softened cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream at the very end. Stir until it is melted and fully incorporated. It adds a really nice richness to the broth.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying Taco Soup that is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. It is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for a chilly evening or any time you need a quick and easy dinner.
The combination of savory beef, hearty beans, and all those delicious toppings makes this the Best Taco Soup for a reason. It is a crowd pleaser that is both fun to make and fun to eat. I hope you and your family love this recipe as much as I do. Happy cooking.
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Bean?
Absolutely. While the recipe calls for black beans, pinto beans or kidney beans would also be delicious in this Taco Soup. Feel free to use your favorite or whatever you have on hand.
How Can I Make This Soup Thicker?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you have a couple of options. You can let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. You can also mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to help thicken the broth.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
This Taco Soup has a mild level of heat from the chili powder and jalapeño. It is generally family friendly. If you are sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit the jalapeño. If you love heat, you can add more.
Can I Make This In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, this recipe adapts well to the slow cooker. Simply brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic on the stove first. Then, transfer the mixture to your slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
Easy Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
A delicious, easy-to-make chocolate protein ice cream, perfect for a healthy and satisfying treat using your Ninja Creami. Enjoy rich chocolate flavor with a boost of protein in every creamy scoop.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a Ninja Creami pint, combine the protein shake, protein powder, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt. Add optional guar gum or pudding mix for extra creaminess.
- Mix with a frother or whisk until the base is completely smooth with no clumps.
- Secure the lid and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours until solid.
- Place the frozen pint into the machine and process using the ‘Lite Ice Cream’ setting.
- If the texture is crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk or shake and use the ‘Re-Spin’ function.
- If desired, create a well in the center, add mix-ins, and use the ‘Mix-In’ function to combine. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Taste the base before freezing and adjust sweetener if needed. Frozen desserts tastes less sweet, so aim for slightly sweeter than you prefer.
Do not fill the pint past the max fill line, as the mixture will expand during freezing and processing.
A full 24-hour freeze is essential for the best, creamiest texture. Rushing this step can result in an icy or soupy consistency.
Feel free to experiment with other flavors like vanilla protein with frozen berries or adding mint extract for a mint-chip version.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
