The Easiest Taco Soup Recipe That’s Ready in a Snap

Whipping up an incredible taco soup doesn’t have to feel complicated or time-consuming.

Spices and simple ingredients dance together in this mouthwatering culinary creation.

Comfort meets convenience with minimal kitchen effort required.

Hearty beans, ground meat, and zesty seasonings combine effortlessly in one pot.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together without sacrificing flavor.

Weeknight dinner challenges melt away when you can serve a crowd-pleasing meal in under 30 minutes.

Grab your ladle and get ready to savor every delicious spoonful of this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Why Easiest Taco Soup Is A Go-To Dinner

• Customize Your Comfort: Enjoy a versatile soup that adapts to personal taste preferences with a wide range of optional toppings and garnishes.
• Quick Family Feast: Prepare a hearty, nutritious meal in under an hour that appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar taco-inspired flavors.
• Protein-Packed Powerhouse: Loaded with ground beef, black beans, and kidney beans, this soup delivers a robust and satisfying protein boost for hungry households.
• Simple One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a single-pot recipe that combines all ingredients seamlessly, making weeknight cooking a breeze.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Easiest Taco Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides the main protein for this robust soup.

• Onions, Garlic: These classic ingredients add depth and a savory foundation to the soup's overall flavor profile.

• Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Corn: These ingredients contribute texture, protein, and a southwestern flair to the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: They create a rich, tangy base and add moisture to the soup.

• Chicken Broth, Water: These liquids help create the soupy consistency and carry the flavors throughout the dish.

• Taco Seasoning: A blend that infuses the soup with classic Mexican-inspired spices and warmth.

• Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Jalapeños: These garnishes provide extra flavor, creaminess, freshness, and optional heat.

How To Prepare Easiest Taco Soup Quickly

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and crumble the ground beef into tiny pieces. Cook until all meat turns brown with no pink visible, which takes about 6-7 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until onions become soft and release a fragrant aroma, approximately 3 minutes.

Step 3: Remove Excess Fat

Drain any surplus grease from the meat mixture to create a lighter, cleaner soup texture.

Step 4: Infuse with Taco Seasoning

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and stir thoroughly, ensuring every meat morsel gets evenly coated with spices.

Step 5: Combine Liquid and Vegetable Ingredients

• Chicken broth
• Water
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Corn

Stir well to create a uniform mixture.

Step 6: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Bring the soup to a vigorous boil, then lower heat immediately. Let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to blend and intensify their flavors.

Step 7: Adjust Seasoning

Taste the soup and enhance with additional salt or taco seasoning as needed.

Step 8: Prepare Delicious Toppings

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve piping hot alongside tortilla chips or cornbread for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Helpful Tips For Easiest Taco Soup

• Trim Excess Fat: Remove as much visible fat from ground beef as possible to prevent an overly greasy soup and maintain a lighter, healthier dish.
• Boost Bean Variety: Experiment with different bean types like pinto or white beans to add unique textures and enhance nutritional value.
• Spice Control: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using homemade or low-sodium blends to manage salt and heat levels according to personal preference.
• Layer Flavor Gradually: Add ingredients in stages, allowing each component to develop depth and complexity during the cooking process.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This soup freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months, making it perfect for quick future meals or busy weeknights.

Fun Options For Easiest Taco Soup

• Vegetarian Bean Bonanza: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra firm tofu, maintaining the same spice profile and cooking method for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Southwestern Chicken Soup Spin: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast, keeping the core recipe structure and bean combinations intact.
• Gluten-Free Fiesta Bowl: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking taco seasoning and broth labels, and serve with gluten-free corn chips for safe consumption.
• Low-Sodium Wellness Remix: Use no-salt-added broth, homemade taco seasoning without salt, and incorporate fresh herbs like oregano and cumin to boost flavor without sodium increase.

What To Pair With Easiest Taco Soup

• Enhance Taco Soup Experience
• Pair with crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial to complement the soup's zesty spices and balance its rich, meaty flavor profile.
• Tequila-Lime Margarita Companion
• Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice and silver tequila, which cuts through the soup's heartiness and refreshes the palate with bright citrus notes.
• Cornbread Sidekick
• Serve warm, slightly sweet cornbread alongside the soup to soak up broth and provide a delightful textural contrast with its crumbly, golden exterior.
• Avocado Freshness Boost
• Top the soup with diced fresh avocado to introduce creamy coolness that counteracts the soup's spicy undertones and adds luxurious smoothness.

Best Way To Store Easiest Taco Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure even heating.

Common Questions About Easiest Taco Soup

• Is this taco soup spicy?

The level of spiciness depends on the taco seasoning used. You can control heat by choosing mild or hot seasoning, or adding jalapeños as a topping.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or extra beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a fully vegetarian version.

• What are the best beans to use?

Black beans and kidney beans work great, but you can also use pinto beans or a mix of different beans based on your preference.

• How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

Add extra beans, include shredded chicken, or top with additional protein like diced grilled chicken or crumbled queso fresco.

Easiest Taco Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Easiest Taco Soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending Mexican-inspired spices with simple ingredients. Packed with ground beef, beans, and zesty seasonings, you’ll savor each spoonful of this quick and satisfying meal that brings warmth to any dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 can corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Seasoning and Liquid:

• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 can tomato sauce

Optional Toppings:

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 sliced jalapeño

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
2. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
3. Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to reduce greasiness and ensure a cleaner soup texture.
4. Incorporate taco seasoning directly into the beef, stirring thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly and coat the meat completely.
5. Pour in chicken broth, water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, and corn, stirring to combine all ingredients uniformly.
6. Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop depth.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding salt or additional taco seasoning to enhance the overall flavor profile.
8. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños for added texture and heat.
9. Serve immediately while piping hot, accompanied by tortilla chips or cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Drain meat thoroughly to prevent excess grease and maintain a lighter, cleaner soup consistency that lets other flavors shine.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting taco seasoning or adding fresh chopped jalapeños for spice lovers who crave extra kick.
• Transform this recipe into a low-carb version by replacing beans with additional vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for fewer carbohydrates.
• Make it vegetarian by swapping ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans, ensuring protein-rich and flavorful alternative for meatless diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg