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.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (3)

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.
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (4)

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

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 is taco soup made of? ›

What's in taco soup? It's filled with ground beef, pinto beans, black beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chiles, plus some onion, garlic, and jalapeño.

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

Addition of Cornstarch or Flour: Create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with water. Stir this mixture into the soup and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Ensure there are no lumps by gradually adding the slurry while stirring constantly.

How long is taco soup good for in the fridge? ›

You can keep taco soup in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days if it's in an airtight container. You can also freeze soup after it has cooled. When you're ready to eat it again, partially thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat it in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding broth if necessary.

How much taco seasoning is in a packet? ›

How Much Taco Seasoning Is In a Packet? If your recipe calls for one packet of taco seasoning, how much DIY mix should you use? Different commercial brands package their taco seasonings in different amounts, but most packets contain about 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons of product.

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.

What is a substitute for beef broth in tacos? ›

Vegetable Broth

Using this as a substitute for beef broth is a great way to add flavor to your dish. Vegetable broth from vegetable stock is a flavorful alternative that is perfect for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Add some bay leaves for a different flavor.

Can you simmer soup too long? ›

Does simmering soup longer make it taste better? If you're simmering a thing for hours, you will intensify the flavor by cooking off some of the liquid. This might make it taste better, but if cooked too long, it may end up too salty or otherwise be over-seasoned.

How to make soup thick at home? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Can you use tortilla chips to thicken soup? ›

Second, you can add some crushed corn chips – tortilla chips work well, as do salty Fritos. The chips will soak up liquid and become soft, thickening the chili and adding flavor without being noticeable.

Is it OK to leave taco soup out overnight? ›

Food should not be at room temperature for more than two hours. Shallow containers or small amounts of hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating.

Can I eat taco soup left out overnight? ›

So, yeah: Toss that soup that sat out overnight. Now, to the question of whether or not boiling it will kill off these bugs -- that might be technically true, but it comes with a big caveat. To be completely safe, you'll have to boil the soup vigorously for 10 minutes.

Can you eat soup that is 5 days old? ›

Originally Answered: How long can you keep a soup in the fridge? According to the FDA food code you should keep prepared foods for no longer then 4 days and manufactured foods for 7 days. If you prepare the soup at home and cook and cool the ingredients I would recommend 4 days at 41 degrees F or below.

Can I use chili seasoning in place of taco seasoning? ›

It would be a different tasting but fair exchange. Chili seasoning is usually salt, chili powder or flakes, cumin, perhaps dried cilantro, parsley and onion powder. Taco seasoning is not as spicy as chili seasoning so you'll need to perk it up to your taste.

Why do you add water to taco seasoning? ›

It also doesn't take as much cornstarch to thicken a sauce, making it ideal for including in a taco mix packet. The amount of flour needed would make the packet unwieldy. However, because cornstarch needs to be dissolved in liquid, you have to add water when cooking.

What is a spicy Mexican soup made from? ›

This spicy chicken tortilla soup features sautéed onions, spicy peppers, corn, tomatoes, and black beans, all simmered in a delicious broth. The result is an ultra-flavorful soup your family will love!

What is Birria taco soup made of? ›

Birria is a mainstay of Mexican cuisine, a stew that originated in the state of Jalisco traditionally made from goat, beef, or lamb. For this birria tacos recipe, the meat marinates in adobo sauce, then cooks slowly in adobo broth until it's fork-tender.

What is a Mexican soup made from tripe? ›

In Mexican cuisine, Menudo, also known as pancita ([little] gut or [little] stomach) or mole de panza ("stomach sauce"), is a traditional Mexican soup, made with cow's stomach (tripe) in broth with a red chili pepper base. Hominy, lime, onions, and oregano are used to season the broth.

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