Easy Taco Soup Recipe (2024)

This hearty Taco Soup recipe bursts with crave-worthy Mexican flavors, and then it comes together in just 30 minutes. After only 10 minutes of prep work, it’s easy to serve up a warm bowl of this soup loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, corn, beans, and a quick homemade taco seasoning.

Like our Slow Cooker Beef Chili, this is the perfect bowl of comfort for cooler weather, and it also has the same crowd-pleasing flavors as our irresistible Taco Salad. This Taco Soup is the best of both!

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (1)

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The Best Taco Soup Recipe

We love all foods Mexican around here. Whether it’s Chicken Fajitas, Fish Tacos,or even Ceviche, Mexican-inspired recipes are always on rotation. This taco soup is a great substitute for Taco Tuesday when you want tacos yet something hot and satisfying.

But if you need more reasons to try this easy taco soup, here are some convincing points:

  • Easy, 30-minute meal and a 1-pot recipe for fast cleanup
  • Simple ingredients found in your pantry and versatile (you can change it up)
  • Make-Ahead – Reheats and freezes well (see storage tips below)
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (2)

Ingredients

These taco soup ingredients are mostly found in your pantry, and then we just add a quick homemade taco seasoning for that authentic Mexican flavor:

  • Taco Seasoning – Prepare our homemade taco seasoning (which is easy), or use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning packet
  • Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef 85-90% for best taste. Since we’re using lean ground beef, add a little oil to keep it from sticking to the pan
  • Onion – White or yellow. White onion is often used in Mexican cooking, but white and yellow onions are generally interchangeable
  • Bell Pepper – 1/2 of each of red and green peppers, gives great flavor and color to the soup, but you can use 1 whole pepper of either color in a pinch.
  • Garlic – adds great flavor and aromatics
  • Beans – We prefer kidney beans or pinto beans, but you can use black beans or even garbanzo beans if you prefer
  • Corn – canned, fresh, or frozen will work
  • Tomatoes – diced tomatoes work great here, but you can substitute canned diced tomatoes or 2 jars of Rotel (canned tomatoes with green chilis) depending on how spicy you like your soup
  • Beef Broth – We use low sodium to control the salt in the soup

Pro Tip

Be sure to rinse your canned beans and corn before adding them to the soup as they can be high in salt. Rinsing canned vegetables is recommended to reduce the salt content. It’s better to season the soup yourself, adding salt to taste.

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Substitutions

Taco soup is super forgiving and versatile. Try some of these substitutions to make it your own:

  • For added heat, chop jalapeños to add with the garlic, or afterward, add Sriracha or hot sauce at the end
  • Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding or reducing the amount of broth, or adding an extra can of beans for a thicker soup. Also, you could even use refried beans
  • Swap the protein, instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, pork, or chicken. For shredded chicken, check out this recipe for our Chicken Tortilla Soup

How to Make Taco Soup

See how easy it is to serve the best taco soup recipe in just 30 minutes:

  • Taco Seasoning – Mix the taco seasoning ingredients and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a Dutch oven and sauté the ground beef. Then, add just a touch of taco seasoning to season the meat.
  • Chop the onion and cube the pepper and tomatoes.
  • Add the vegetables, remaining ingredients, and seasoning to the cooked ground beef. Simmer on low for 12-15 minutes, and then serve hot.
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Don’t Forget Dessert!

After the soup, don’t forget to finish the meal with a Mexican-inspired sweet treat like Churros, Flan, or Tres Leches Cake.

What is the difference between chili and taco soup?

Taco soup and chili have similar ingredients but the main difference is in consistency and seasonings. Taco soup is thinner than chili. We use Taco Seasoning for taco soup because it lends a traditional Mexican flavor.

Can I make Taco Soup in a slow cooker?

Sure! After sautéing the meat in step two, transfer the cooked meat and the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

Is Taco Soup low carb?

As written, this Taco Soup recipe isn’t low-carb, but with a few tweaks, it could fit a low-carb, keto diet. Omit the beans and any carb-heavy toppings, like tortilla strips.

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Toppings for Taco Soup

We love adding all our favorite taco toppings when serving taco soup, and we like serving the toppings in individual bowls on the table just like you would with tacos. Here are a few toppings to try:

  • Tortilla chips or crushed Doritos
  • A dollop of sour cream
  • Diced avocado or guacamole
  • Cheddar or Mexican cheese
  • Fresh cilantro or chopped green onions
  • Lime wedges
  • Warm Homemade Tortillas
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This recipe brings together two amazing recipes in one: Beef Tacos and soup, a perfect combination. You are totally in for a treat with this quick taco soup.

Make-Ahead

Taco soup keeps really well, so you won’t waste a single drop!

  • To Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
  • Freezing: Transfer the soup into freezer-friendly containers or use freezer zip-top bags. In fact, we like to freeze in single-serving portions for easy defrosting.
  • To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight, and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

More Easy Soup Recipes

If you loved this taco soup recipe, check out these fan-favorite soup recipes for your next meal:

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

5 from 213 votes

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (8)

The easiest homemade taco soup recipe loaded with ground beef, beans, corn, pepper and tomatoes with a homemade taco seasoning. Top soup with cheese, avocado, cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 servings

Taco Soup:

  • 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

  • Make Taco Seasoning or measure out 2 Tbsp of storebought taco seasoning from 1 packet.

  • In a Dutch oven, heat oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, and bell peppers and sauté until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spatula as you cook. Spoon out any excess fat.

  • Add garlic and Taco Seasoning, and stir for another minute.

  • Add beans, corn, tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low, cover, and keep at a simmer for for 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste, or add more taco seasoning.

  • Serve soup hot with your desired toppings.

Notes

*For a spicier taco soup, add a finely chopped jalapeno when the garlic is added. You can also add a little more spicey substituting the fresh tomatoes with 2 cans of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis.

Nutrition Per Serving

267kcal Calories22g Carbs22g Protein11g Fat4g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat5g Monounsaturated Fat0.5g Trans Fat49mg Cholesterol461mg Sodium815mg Potassium6g Fiber5g Sugar804IU Vitamin A30mg Vitamin C44mg Calcium3mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

267

% Daily Value*

Fat

11

g

17

%

Saturated Fat

4

g

25

%

Trans Fat

0.5

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

5

g

Cholesterol

16

%

Sodium

461

mg

20

%

Potassium

815

mg

23

%

Carbohydrates

22

g

7

%

Fiber

6

g

25

%

Sugar

5

g

6

%

Protein

22

g

44

%

Vitamin A

804

IU

16

%

Vitamin C

30

mg

36

%

Calcium

44

mg

4

%

Iron

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: taco soup

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 267

Valentina Ablaev

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (9)

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

Turn To Refried Beans To Thicken And Boost The Flavor Of Your Taco Soup. If you're looking to upgrade your taco soup into a rich, creamy meal, you could turn to tried-and-true thickeners like cream cheese, heavy cream, flour, or corn starch.

What is Mexican soup made of? ›

Tortilla soup is Mexican soup. Name from fine corn tortilla pieces submerged in a broth of tomato ,garlic, onion,and chili de Arbol and epazote. Served with sour cream fresh avocado, fresh cheese cubes, and pieces of pasillia chilies.

Where does taco soup originate? ›

Although the exact origin of tortilla soup is unknown, it is known that it comes from the Mexico City area in Mexico. Traditional tortilla soup is made with chicken broth combined with roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, chiles and tortillas, cut into strips and fried.

How much taco seasoning is in a packet? ›

Different commercial brands package their taco seasonings in different amounts, but most packets contain about 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons of product. Use 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for every packet your recipe calls for.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the most popular soup in Mexico? ›

Of course, pozole is one of the most famous Mexican soups, so we have three variations below, including a vegan version that comes together quickly in the Instant Pot—great for weeknight meals, or any time you're in a rush. All of these soups and more await your hungry eyes below.

What are the 4 ingredients that feature in many Mexican dishes? ›

The most popular Mexican ingredients are beans, rice, avocado and limes. They're utilized in nearly every dish, from hearty enchilada casseroles to creamy drinks like horchata. Read on to learn the top ingredients in Mexican cooking and to find some recipe inspiration for your next taco or burrito night at home!

What is the Mexican herb for soup? ›

Epazote (pronounced eh-pah-ZOH-teh) is a large, leafy aromatic herb that's used in Mexican cooking, particularly in central and southern Mexico. It's often used to add flavor to dishes like black beans, pinto beans, and in soups and stews.

What is the difference between broth and a soup? ›

So to recap and for a quick rule-of-thumb, stock is made with cleaned animal bones. Broth uses bones with meat still on them, or meat alone. And soup is made from either broth or stock, and has other ingredients added to it for texture and flavour.

What is tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup actually is an authentic Mexican dish. The traditional soup is made with chicken broth, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chiles, and fried tortilla strips. There are also variations of the soup, like ones that include beans.

What is the national soup of Mexico? ›

Pozole (Spanish pronunciation: [po'sole]; from Nahuatl languages: pozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize) is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine.

What can I use instead of cumin? ›

8 Good Substitutes for Cumin
  • Ground coriander. Cumin and coriander grow from a plant in the parsley, or Apiaceae, family. ...
  • Caraway seeds. ...
  • Chili powder. ...
  • Taco seasoning. ...
  • Curry powder. ...
  • Garam masala. ...
  • Paprika. ...
  • Fennel seeds.

What is in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

Is fajita seasoning the same as taco seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but not identical. The ratios of each individual spice tend to differ. Fajita seasoning often contains more cumin, while taco seasoning contains more chili powder. Our taco seasoning recipe includes coriander and does not contain paprika or chipotle.

How to thicken Mexican soup? ›

Cream is used to add richness to soup, as the extra fat makes it delicious. Be sure not to bring it to a boil, but rather, add it in at the last minute before serving. The best item to thicken a soup is some sort of starch, whether from flour, cornstarch, arrowroot, or even a lot of potatoes.

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

There are several reasons why taco soup may turn out thin and watery. One common reason is using too much broth or liquid in the soup. Additionally, not simmering the soup for long enough can lead to a thin consistency.

How do you thicken taco filling? ›

Just add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, or 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder. You will also need to add ¾ cup of water and half of the seasoning blend with the thickening agent for every 1 pound of meat.

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