If you’re hunting for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together almost effortlessly, look no further than this Easy Taco Soup. Imagine all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors mingling together in a single pot — savory ground beef, vibrant veggies, and bold spices swimming in a rich, tomato-infused broth. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or hosting friends for a casual get-together, this Easy Taco Soup is the ace up your sleeve for comfort food with flair and plenty of color.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient serves an important role in building the savory layers, punchy flavors, and irresistible textures that make Easy Taco Soup such a standout. Grab these staples, and you’ll have magic bubbling away in no time.
- Ground beef: Adds hearty protein and classic taco flavor; for leaner soup, opt for 90% lean beef.
- Olive oil: Helps soften the onion and adds a subtle richness to the base of the soup.
- Onion (diced): Brings sweet undertones and aromatic depth to every bite.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses the soup with warm, garlicky goodness.
- Black beans (drained & rinsed): Offer creamy texture and extra protein.
- Corn (drained): Adds pops of sweetness and color throughout the bowl.
- Diced tomatoes: Deliver tang and bright acidity to balance the flavors.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel): Give the soup a gentle kick and extra zest.
- Kidney beans (drained & rinsed): Bring hearty bulk and a lovely earthiness.
- Taco seasoning packet: Effortlessly loads the soup with classic Mexican-inspired spices.
- Ground cumin: Adds warmth and smoky notes for that unmistakable taco taste.
- Beef broth: The flavorful foundation that ties all the ingredients together.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every bite; adjust to taste.
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, sliced avocado, and cilantro take your bowl over the top!
How to Make Easy Taco Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by heating a generous tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and let it soften for about 3 to 4 minutes. When the onion is nearly translucent and smelling heavenly, add the minced garlic for a fast 30-second sauté to release its buzzy aroma. These two simple steps really lay the foundation for all that flavor to come.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Next, crumble in your ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks, allowing it to brown completely and soak up all that onion and garlic flavor. If there’s excess fat after browning, feel free to drain it — this keeps the finished Easy Taco Soup light and not too greasy, but still plenty satisfying.
Step 3: Spice It Up
Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ground cumin directly over the browned beef. Stir everything together for a minute so that the spices coat every crumb of beef and begin to bloom in the hot pan. You’ll instantly notice that classic taco aroma wafting through your kitchen!
Step 4: Add the Veggies and Beans
It’s time to build the body of your soup. Pour in the black beans, corn, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and those vibrant tomatoes with green chilies. Each addition brings its own dose of color, flavor, and great nutrition to the pot.
Step 5: Pour in the Broth and Simmer
Round off your soup with 2 cups of beef broth, stirring well to incorporate every ingredient. Raise the heat just until everything comes up to a gentle boil, then drop the heat to a low simmer. Allow the Easy Taco Soup to bubble away for 20 to 25 minutes — this short simmer is all it takes to meld the flavors into a rich, cozy bowl of comfort.
Step 6: Taste and Serve
Before ladling your soup into bowls, taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. This is your moment to make the Easy Taco Soup truly your own. Serve it up hot, and set out toppings like shredded cheese, dollops of sour cream, crunchy tortilla chips, creamy avocado slices, or a sprinkle of bright cilantro for everyone to customize their bowl.
How to Serve Easy Taco Soup
Garnishes
This is where your creativity can really shine! Pile on generous handfuls of shredded cheese for melt-in-your-mouth creaminess, a spoonful of cool sour cream to balance the spice, or sprinkle fresh cilantro for a lively herbaceous kick. Tortilla chips add delightful crunch, and slices of ripe avocado make every bite even more irresistible.
Side Dishes
While Easy Taco Soup really can stand on its own, pairing it with a fresh side salad, warm cornbread, or even a big bowl of tortilla chips for dunking can create a fun, complete meal. For an extra touch, set out bowls of lime wedges or pickled jalapeños so everyone can play up the flavors to their liking.
Creative Ways to Present
For family dinners, let everyone build their own bowl at a toppings station—kids especially love this! Hosting a party? Try serving the soup in mini mugs or ramekins for a taco soup “flight.” You can even ladle Easy Taco Soup over a bed of rice or crushed tortilla chips to make a hearty taco bowl. It’s festival food at home!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
One of the joys of this recipe is how it keeps. Allow leftover Easy Taco Soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in your fridge for up to four days, making it a perfect option for meal prepping or easy lunches throughout the week.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch. I recommend portioning it into individual freezer-safe containers (leave a little space for expansion). Easy Taco Soup can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy another bowl.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pour the soup into a saucepan and warm gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it’s a bit thick after thawing, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up. You can also reheat single servings in the microwave in 1–2 minute bursts, stirring between each burst for even heating.
FAQs
Can I make Easy Taco Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or extra beans (like pinto or chickpeas) and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The soup will still be packed with flavor and super filling.
How can I make the soup spicier?
If you love heat, toss in a chopped jalapeño or a splash of hot sauce along with the other veggies. You can also use hot taco seasoning or extra diced tomatoes with green chilies for more kick.
Is it possible to cook Easy Taco Soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the beef and sauté the onions and garlic as usual, then add everything into your slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for about 2 hours. This method is great for hands-off cooking.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Definitely! Both ground turkey and ground chicken work well in this recipe, creating a lighter but equally comforting version of Easy Taco Soup. Just be sure to season well to bring out the best flavor.
What can I do if my soup is too thick?
If your soup seems a little too hearty, simply add an extra splash of broth or water until you reach your preferred consistency. The flavors will still shine through and the soup will remain deliciously satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Warm, nourishing, and guaranteed to bring a smile to every face at your table, this Easy Taco Soup really is a keeper. I hope you find yourself going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds). Give it a try this week and let it become a staple in your kitchen—you’ll soon see why it’s one of my all-time favorites!
Print
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Taco Soup recipe is a flavorful and hearty one-pot meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with ground beef, beans, corn, and delicious Mexican-inspired spices, this soup is sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the soup:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (15 oz) can corn (drained)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Tortilla chips
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Cook beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add seasonings and ingredients: Stir in taco seasoning and cumin. Add black beans, corn, both types of diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce.
- This soup freezes well and is perfect for meal prep.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
