Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and flavorful Taco Soup recipe. It captures all the beloved Mexican-inspired flavors of traditional tacos and transforms them into a hearty, satisfying soup that’s even simpler to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy evenings, this dish is destined to become a family favorite.
Tired of the same old Taco Tuesday routine? This vibrant and zesty beef taco soup offers a fantastic alternative that’s both delicious and convenient. Unlike traditional tacos, this soup is wonderfully portable, making it ideal for taking leftovers to work or school the next day. Imagine the smiles when you bring this incredibly flavorful dish to your next potluck or family gathering!
While it’s a staple for chilly fall and winter evenings, this versatile recipe can be savored any time of the year. Its rich, savory profile and comforting warmth make it a welcome meal no matter the season. If you’re searching for more robust soup and chili recipes, be sure to explore my Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili for another crowd-pleasing option.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Soup: A Weeknight Wonder
This Mexican-inspired taco soup, featuring lean ground beef, is a superb addition to your weekly meal plan. It’s remarkably filling and hearty, yet surprisingly easy to make with common pantry staples. Ingredients like fresh onions, aromatic garlic, and creamy sour cream infuse this recipe with a depth of flavor that is both rich and wonderfully smooth. To elevate your experience, serve it generously topped with fresh avocado slices, crunchy tortilla chips, and vibrant cilantro, adding layers of texture and taste.
One of the best aspects of this dish is its adaptability. Whether you prefer a spicier kick or a creamier consistency, you can effortlessly customize this delicious soup to match your personal preferences. For an even more personalized touch, consider preparing your own homemade taco seasoning. This allows you to control the spice levels and flavor nuances, making the soup uniquely yours. If you desire a thicker, more luxurious soup, simply stir in additional sour cream towards the end of the cooking process. This not only enhances creaminess but also helps balance any spicy elements.
Beyond its delightful taste, this easy taco soup is also incredibly practical for meal prepping. It stays fresh for up to one week when stored properly in the refrigerator, making it perfect for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully! Portion it out into individual airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. When you’re ready to enjoy a quick and comforting meal, simply reheat it in the microwave or gently warm it on the stove. This makes healthy eating effortless and ensures you always have a delicious meal on hand.
Want to simplify this recipe even further? It’s perfectly suited for your slow cooker! We’ve included detailed instructions on how to make this delightful crockpot taco soup in the recipe section below, so you can set it and forget it, coming home to a warm and inviting meal.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Taco Soup
- Lean Ground Beef: This forms the hearty base of our soup. Using ground beef with no more than 10 percent fat ensures a rich flavor without excessive grease. For those looking for an alternative or a different texture, shredded chicken makes a wonderful substitution, transforming this into a flavorful chicken taco soup that is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Onion: Finely chopped and cooked until tender, onions provide a foundational rich flavor and a subtle, natural sweetness that complements the savory spices. They are essential for building a deep, aromatic base for the soup.
- Garlic: A perfect culinary partner to onions, minced garlic is crucial for adding a pungent, irresistible aroma and depth of flavor. Without it, the soup would simply lack its signature vibrant taste.
- Taco Seasoning: While a store-bought packet of taco seasoning works perfectly well for convenience, for an unparalleled burst of fresh, authentic flavor, we highly recommend making your own homemade taco seasoning. It’s an easy way to customize the spice level and ensure the freshest ingredients.
- Mexican Stewed Tomatoes: These tomatoes are ideal for dishes that benefit from larger, softer chunks of cooked tomato, such as stews and chilies. They bring a robust tomato flavor and a pleasant texture to the soup.
- Rotel Tomatoes: A beloved ingredient in many Tex-Mex dishes, canned Rotel is a zesty blend of diced red tomatoes and green chilies. It adds a tangy, subtly spicy kick that brightens the entire soup.
- Diced Tomatoes: These provide additional tomato flavor and a slightly different texture from the stewed varieties, contributing to the soup’s overall richness and body.
- Pinto Beans: These versatile beans are packed with plant-based protein and fiber, making them an excellent hearty addition. They absorb the flavors of the soup beautifully and add a creamy texture that’s essential for a satisfying bowl.
- Mexicorn: This colorful vegetable blend from Green Giant is a combination of sweet corn kernels, vibrant green bell peppers, and red bell peppers. It adds a delightful sweetness, crunch, and a festive visual appeal to the taco soup.
- Beef Stock: The foundation of any good soup, beef stock is critical for intensifying all the savory flavors and bringing the ingredients together into a cohesive, rich broth. It ensures every spoonful is packed with taste.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese melts wonderfully, creating a luxurious, creamy texture when stirred into the hot soup. It also serves as a fantastic topping, adding a familiar, slightly sharp, and salty note that perfectly complements the other flavors.
- Sour Cream: Essential for achieving a creamy quality and balancing the often spicy elements of Mexican-inspired dishes. When swirled in, it adds a tang and richness that makes the soup incredibly comforting.
How to Master the Art of Taco Soup
Creating this delicious Taco Soup is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl every time:
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Aromatics
In a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot, brown your lean ground beef over medium-high heat. As it cooks, break it apart with a spoon. Once it’s mostly browned, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked through and the onions are softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This step creates a flavorful base. Carefully drain any excess grease from the pot to keep your soup light and balanced.
Step 2: Blend the Tomatoes
For a smoother, richer tomato base, carefully purée the Mexican stewed tomatoes and Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies) in a blender or food processor until the mixture is completely smooth. This step ensures a consistent texture throughout the soup and deeply integrates the tomato and chili flavors.
Step 3: Season for Authentic Flavor
Return the drained ground beef, onion, and garlic mixture to the pot. Stir in the taco seasoning. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the spices to toast lightly and release their fragrant aromas, coating the beef evenly. This ensures every bite of your soup is packed with that classic taco taste.
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients
Add the puréed tomato mixture, the additional can of diced tomatoes, drained pinto beans, MexiCorn, and beef stock to the pot with the seasoned ground beef. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed. This is where the magic starts to happen as all the flavors begin to meld.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the soup to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least one hour. Simmering allows the flavors to fully develop and deepen, creating a more robust and complex soup. The longer it simmers (within reason), the richer the taste.
Step 6: Enrich and Finish
Approximately 10 minutes before you plan to serve the soup, remove the lid and stir in the sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and the sour cream is fully incorporated, creating a creamy and satisfying consistency. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping individual servings.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Ladle the hot taco soup into bowls. Garnish generously with your favorite toppings: fresh cilantro, extra dollops of sour cream, the reserved shredded cheese, creamy avocado slices, and a handful of crunchy tortilla chips. These additions not only enhance the flavor but also add delightful textures. Serve immediately and savor every comforting spoonful!
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this incredibly easy and delicious Taco Soup recipe get lost in your bookmarks! Make sure to save it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever a craving for hearty, Mexican-inspired comfort food strikes. Pin it now and share the love with your friends and family!
Explore More Taco-Inspired Delights
In our kitchen, tacos aren’t just a dish; they’re a food group! If you adore the vibrant flavors of tacos as much as we do, you’ll love exploring these creative and delicious ways to enjoy that classic taco taste beyond the traditional shell:
- Taco Loaded Baked Potato
- Aunt Sue’s Taco Salad
- Hot Taco Dip
- Hearty Taco Stew
- Flavorful Taco Meatloaf
- Authentic Indian Tacos with Indian Fry Bread
- Zesty Taco Pork Chops
- Mom’s Ultimate Taco Casserole
Ready to warm up with a bowl of savory Taco Soup? Let’s get cooking!
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Taco Soup
This Taco Soup recipe takes the classic Mexican-inspired flavors of a traditional taco to a whole new level. It’s loaded with all of the classic taco style ingredients – but it is even easier to make!
5 mins
1 hr 20 mins
1 hr 25 mins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Michaela Kenkel
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 packet (approx. 4 Tablespoons) Taco Seasoning
- 1 (14 ounce) can Mexican Stewed Tomatoes
- 1 can Rotel Tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 (11 ounce) can Mexicorn
- 1 (32 ounce) beef stock
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream + more for serving
- Optional garnish: avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, brown ground beef with onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain excess grease.
- Purée Mexican stewed tomatoes and Rotel in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Add taco seasoning to the browned ground beef.
- Add in puréed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, MexiCorn, and beef stock to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for one hour.
- About 10 minutes before you serve, stir in sour cream and half of the cheese, reserving the rest for topping.
- Serve hot garnished with cilantro, more sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, and tortilla chips if desired.
Notes
A packet of taco seasoning works great – but if you really want to pack this with flavor, try making your own HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING with my easy recipe!
To make this recipe in the SLOW COOKER: Add browned ground beef and all of the other ingredients (except cheese and sour cream) to your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Stir cheese and sour cream into soup about 10 minutes before serving.