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.

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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 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 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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

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 make soup thicker without flour or cornstarch? ›

A handful of uncooked rice. That's all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in.

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.

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 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.

Is taco soup good if left out overnight? ›

On most occasions, you shouldn't leave soup out overnight. This is because when the stock in the soup cools below 130°F, dangerous bacteria can multiply. If you do decide that you want to leave soup out overnight, it's recommended that you boil the soup for 10 minutes to kill any active bacteria.

Where is taco soup from? ›

Taco soup
Taco soup topped with cheese, tortilla chips and sliced avocado
TypeSoup
Place of origin1950s Southwestern United States
Main ingredientsGround beef, tomatoes, green chilis, onions, corn, beans, taco seasoning

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.

What is a spicy Mexican soup made from trip? ›

Menudo is a spicy tripe stew from Mexico that features tender-chewy pieces of long-simmered tripe in a hearty broth loaded with hominy and infused with dried red chiles.

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