Easy Taco Soup Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Soups and Stews Taco Soup

by Lisa Bryan

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Sep 26, 2023

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Taco soup is a cozy and delicious way to enjoy your favorite taco flavors during soup season. Made with ground beef, a variety of beans and vegetables, and flavored with taco seasoning, it’s a great one-pot meal that’s guaranteed to be a family favorite!

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This easy taco soup recipe is yet another hearty and nourishing soup to add to your list this fall and winter. It’s a bit more soupy than my classic beef chili (though just as hearty) and loaded with vegetables and robust flavor, similar to my lentil soup.

Think of it as a wonderful Taco Tuesday meal with the perfect amount of spices but without the need to fuss with taco shells. It’s a definite winner! I also recommend going the extra step and adding a few extra toppings like cilantro, jalapeño, and Cotija cheese. It helps to give you that full taco experience!

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TACO SOUP INGREDIENTS

  • Ground Beef: You can choose whichever kind of ground beef you like for this soup. But I typically prefer one that’s a bit on the leaner side so there’s not too much fat to drain.
  • Vegetables: For fresh produce, you’ll need an onion and a green bell pepper. For canned items, you’ll need sweet corn and diced tomatoes.
  • Beans: A mix of black beans and kidney beans are my go-to’s. But you could also use pinto beans if you prefer. Also, make sure you drain and rinse them. Canned veggies, especially beans, have been sitting in a saltwater solution to preserve them. By rinsing them, you can reduce the sodium level by about 40%.
  • Tomato Paste: A spoonful of tomato paste goes a long way in adding depth to the broth!
  • Diced Green Chiles: Don’t worry, these green chiles aren’t super hot, but they do add a tangy, slightly sweet flavor, with a hint of heat.
  • Taco Seasoning: Skip any store-bought packets, because this homemade taco seasoning is way better. Plus, it’s really easy to make and you can store it away for future dinners like my taco salad or taco stuffed zucchini boats!
  • Water: I’m using water as the base for the broth, but you could also use beef broth for a richer flavor.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below

HOW TO MAKE TACO SOUP

Cook the ground beef. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, then drain any fat that’s left over.

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Cook the first set of veggies. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, taco seasoning, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir it all together for 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the mixture smells fragrant.

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Add the rest of the veggies and boil. Add the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Bring the soup to a boil, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Keep on reading for ways to top off your soup!

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I make taco soup in a slow cooker or crockpot?

Yes, you can use either! I make this taco soup in a large pot on the stove (as it only takes 30 minutes). But if you prefer to use a slow cooker or crockpot to “set it and forget it” you could do so.

What toppings can I add to taco soup?

When it comes to toppings, get creative! Add some diced avocado, jalapenos, cilantro, and a sprinkle of Cotija cheese. You could also add a dollop of sour cream or a dollop of my dairy-free cashew sour cream.

What do you eat with taco soup?

I personally don’t eat anything else with this since it’s pretty filling. But if you want a little something on the side, tortilla chips with guacamole and pico de gallo never fail! You could also add some cilantro lime rice into your soup to make it even heartier.

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STORAGE TIPS

  • To store for the week: Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container. Perfect to enjoy throughout the week!
  • To freeze for later: You can store this in a freezer-safe container or pour it into a silicone freezing tray for pre-made servings. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • For reheating: If you’re reheating a single serving, microwave it for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through. If you’re reheating an entire batch, it’s easier to warm it up on the stove in a large pot.
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MORE WINTER SOUP RECIPES

I’ve got plenty of other soup recipes and chili recipes for you to enjoy during cold weather days. Here are a few of my favorites that I come back to again and again.

  • Turkey Chili: For a slightly healthier chili, this ground turkey version hits the spot.
  • Cabbage Soup: It’s a good idea to always have a frozen batch of this healthy cabbage soup on hand!
  • White Chicken Chili: This is the perfect way to switch up your usual chili meal with shredded chicken and various other flavors.
  • Black Bean Soup: This is for all the black bean lovers out there!

I hope you love this taco soup as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers!

Easy Taco Soup Recipe | Downshiftology (9)

Taco Soup

4.98 from 45 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

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Description

This taco soup recipe is guaranteed to be a family favorite — loaded with ground beef, a variety of beans and vegetables, and flavored with the best homemade taco seasoning. Watch the video below to see how easily this comes together!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ large onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 recipe taco seasoning, or 2 tablespoons if you've made a large batch
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can canned sweet corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 (4-ounce) can canned diced green chilies
  • 3 cups water

optional toppings

  • avocado
  • jalapeno peppers
  • cilantro
  • cotija cheese (or other cheese)
  • sour cream

Instructions

  • Cook the ground beef. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any leftover fat.

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  • Cook the first set of vegetables. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, taco seasoning, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir and sweat the ingredients together for 1 to 2 minutes.

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  • Add the remaining vegetables and simmer. Add the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

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  • Serve it up. To serve, ladle the taco soup into bowls and add your favorite taco toppings.

    Easy Taco Soup Recipe | Downshiftology (13)

Lisa’s Tips

  • For a meatless Monday or vegetarian/vegan option: Replace the ground beef with quinoa.
  • If you’re making this in a slow cooker: Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours (or more) or high for 4 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 1285mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 8mg

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: taco soup, taco soup recipe

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Originally posted August 2017, but updated to include new photos and information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Easy Taco Soup Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

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.

What do you eat with taco soup? ›

The best sides and toppings for a cozy pot of Taco Soup! Mexican rice, cornbread, homemade tortilla chips, crisp salads, and cool, sweet fruit pairings. Plus guac and salsas, too. Even dessert!

What can you add to taco soup to make it less spicy? ›

Scoop a dollop of sour cream into your bowl of soup and stir it into the broth. The fat in the sour cream will help mask the spices and make your soup creamier. If the soup still tastes too spicy, drop in more sour cream until it's palatable. Sour cream works well for chili, chowder, and taco soup.

How do you thicken tortilla soup broth? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken chicken tortilla soup. To do so, create a slurry by combining equal parts flour and cold water. Whisk the slurry into the soup gradually, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness is achieved.

What is the most common thickener for soups? ›

Roux (pronounced roo) is a mixture of equal weights (parts) of flour and fat (usually clarified butter; chicken fat, bacon fat, and margarine are also used) cooked over medium heat and stirred constantly. Roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups.

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

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

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.

How do you know when soup goes bad? ›

Check the texture: If the soup has become slimy or has a strange texture, it's a sign that it's gone bad. Taste a small amount: If you're still not sure, you can taste a small amount of the soup. If it tastes off or has a strange flavor, it's best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.

How do you fix bland taco soup? ›

Maybe experiment with a little enchilada sauce. Or mess with the seasoning. Maybe rather than a seasoning packet, use a mix of seasonings and adjust a bit depending on your taste. I use a mix of cilantro, cumin, onion, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.

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 take the heat out of taco soup? ›

The easiest way to tone down a dish that's too spicy is to add more ingredients to lessen the proportion of the spicy element. If it's a soup or stew, try adding more liquid. Add more vegetables, protein, or starches, too — whatever ingredient you have extra of.

Can I add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Milk or Half-and-Half: This is the other magical ingredient that turns your homemade chicken noodle soup into the creamiest soup ever. Use 1 cup of whole milk or 1 cup of half-and-half.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

How do you thicken taco soup without cornstarch? ›

Thickening your soup without using flour or cornstarch is easier than you might think. By incorporating ingredients such as vegetable purees, mashed potatoes, beans or legumes, coconut milk, or a roux substitute, you can achieve the desired consistency while adding extra flavor and nutrition.

How do you thicken Mexican soup? ›

One option is to create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water. Stir the slurry into the soup and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Another option is to add a can of refried beans or mashed black beans to the soup, which will both thicken and add flavor.

How do you thicken taco filling? ›

A typical 12-serving taco seasoning mix recipe uses about 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch. If you want to skip the cornstarch in your homemade seasoning to use it for other purposes, just sprinkle ⅓ to ½ teaspoon of cornstarch per pound of browned, spiced meat before adding ¾ cup of water and heat until thickened.

Can you thicken soup without cornstarch? ›

There are any number of starches besides corn starch: Arrowroot, potato, rice flour, tapioca, seaweed, pureed beans etc. Simply reducing the liquid portion of a soup will serve to thicken it.

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