The Easiest Taco Soup Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Whipping up a hearty taco soup can be your weeknight culinary adventure.

My kitchen always feels alive when Mexican-inspired flavors start dancing around.

Comfort meets simplicity in this delightful one-pot wonder that comes together faster than you can say “dinner is served.” Spices and ground beef create a magical blend of textures and aromas that will make everyone lean in closer.

Rich broth mingles with tender meat and vibrant vegetables, promising a meal that satisfies without complicated techniques.

Beans and corn add depth and nutrition to this unpretentious dish that feels like a warm hug.

Each spoonful delivers a zesty celebration that turns an ordinary evening into something memorable.

You’ll want to keep this recipe tucked away for those moments when quick, delicious meals become your best friend.

Why Easy Taco Soup Is A One-Pot Wonder

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this taco soup in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for chicken, turkey, or keeping it vegetarian with extra beans, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser for different dietary preferences.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines all ingredients in one Dutch oven, saving time on dishwashing and making meal preparation a breeze.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Fiesta: Kids and adults will love the bold, zesty taste of this soup, packed with protein and vegetables that create a satisfying meal everyone can enjoy together.

Everything Needed For Easy Taco Soup

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein that creates the soup's foundation, choose lean beef for less grease.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and savory notes to the meat base.

• Black Beans, Kidney Beans: Protein-packed legumes that add texture and nutritional value.
• Corn: Sweet kernels that provide a burst of color and mild flavor.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies that bring heat and zest.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy base that adds moisture and tangy flavor to the soup.
• Tomato Sauce: Smooth sauce that helps thicken and bind the soup ingredients.

• Taco Seasoning: Bold spice blend that gives the soup authentic Mexican-inspired flavor.
• Broth: Liquid that creates the soup's consistency and enhances overall taste, chicken or beef work well.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's flavor profile.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy topping that melts into the hot soup.
• Sour Cream: Cool and tangy garnish that adds richness.
• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy element that provides textural contrast.

How To Simmer Up Easy Taco Soup

Step 1: Sizzle the Protein

Heat a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame. Toss in ground beef and break it apart while browning. The meat should develop a rich, caramelized exterior. Once the beef transforms into delectable crumbles, welcome diced onions and minced garlic into the party. Let these aromatic companions dance and soften, releasing their tantalizing essence.

Step 2: Unleash Flavor Explosion

• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Rotel tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth

Stir everything together, creating a symphony of colors and textures. Coax the mixture to a gentle bubble, then lower the heat to let flavors mingle and marry.

Step 3: Simmer and Celebrate

Allow the soup to bubble softly, developing deep, complex flavors. Occasionally stir this culinary masterpiece, letting ingredients whisper their delicious secrets. After 20-30 minutes, taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 4: Dress and Impress

• Shredded cheese
• Dollop of sour cream
• Crunchy tortilla chips

Serve immediately and watch smiles bloom around the table.

Tips To Make Easy Taco Soup Even Better

• Meat Mastery: Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, healthier soup base.
• Seasoning Boost: Create homemade taco seasoning for lower sodium and personalized flavor profile by mixing chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano.
• Quick Swap Options: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, protein-packed alternative that's diet-friendly.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Store cooled soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy weeknights.
• Texture Trick: Add uncooked rice or quinoa directly into the soup during simmering for extra heartiness and protein-rich meal.

Storing Leftover Easy Taco Soup Right

• Store leftover taco soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Cool the soup completely before transferring to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 3 months, leaving a little space at the top for expansion.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or microwave.
• When reheating, add a splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent the soup from becoming too thick.
• Avoid refreezing previously frozen soup to maintain the best quality and taste.
• Ceramic or glass containers work best for preserving the soup's flavor and preventing freezer burn.
• Divide larger batches into smaller portions for easier storage and quicker thawing.

Perfect Pairings With Easy Taco Soup

• Pair with Crisp Mexican Lager: Crack open a cold Corona or Modelo to complement the soup's spicy and hearty flavors, cutting through the richness of the beef and melted cheese.
• Elevate with Zesty Guacamole Side: Whip up fresh guacamole to add creamy texture and bright citrus notes that balance the soup's warmth and enhance its Mexican-inspired profile.
• Serve Alongside Cilantro-Lime Rice: Prepare light, fluffy rice with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the robust soup, adding another layer of traditional Mexican taste.
• Finish with Churro Dessert: End the meal with crispy, cinnamon-sugar churros that echo the soup's spicy undertones and offer a sweet conclusion to your hearty dinner.

Easy Taco Soup Variations To Try

• Southwest Chicken Splash: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter protein option, keeping all other ingredients consistent and adding a zesty southwestern flair.
• Vegetarian Bean Bonanza: Replace beef with additional black and kidney beans, incorporate diced bell peppers for extra texture, and use vegetable broth to create a hearty meatless version.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Dice fresh jalapeños and add them during meat cooking stage, include a dash of cayenne pepper in seasoning mix, and garnish with extra hot sauce for heat lovers.
• Slow Cooker Simple: Transfer all ingredients after browning meat directly into slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld beautifully and creating a hands-off meal preparation.

FAQs For Easy Taco Soup Night

• What makes this taco soup different from other soup recipes?

This taco soup is incredibly easy to make and combines classic Mexican-inspired flavors with a hearty, one-pot approach. It uses simple ingredients like ground beef, beans, and taco seasoning to create a quick, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

• Can I make this recipe with ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess fat before adding the other ingredients.

• Is this taco soup spicy?

The heat level depends on the taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes you use. If you prefer a milder version, choose a mild taco seasoning and use original Rotel. For more heat, opt for the spicy versions of these ingredients.

• How nutritious is this taco soup?

This soup is packed with protein from the ground beef and beans, and it includes vegetables like corn and tomatoes. It’s a balanced one-pot meal that provides essential nutrients and is relatively healthy when topped with moderate amounts of cheese and sour cream.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Taco Soup delivers a Mexican-inspired comfort feast packed with ground beef, beans, and zesty spices. Warm bowls of deliciousness welcome hungry diners, promising a quick and satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
• 1 pound (450 grams) ground turkey or ground chicken (optional alternative)

Beans and Vegetables:

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans (drained & rinsed)
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) corn (drained)
• 1 can (10 ounces / 285 grams) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 410 grams) diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 grams) taco seasoning
• 4 cups beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
• 1 cup tomato sauce (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Tortilla chips or cornbread
• Chopped cilantro & green onions
• Sliced jalapenos (for extra heat)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm a spacious cooking vessel over moderate flame and introduce ground beef, fragmenting the protein while it caramelizes to a rich golden-brown (approximately 5 minutes).
2. Incorporate aromatic diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence.
3. Generously dust the meat mixture with robust taco seasoning, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated with zesty spices.
4. Pour in a medley of legumes, sweet corn kernels, zesty Rotel, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and savory broth, creating a vibrant liquid landscape.
5. Elevate the temperature momentarily, allowing the concoction to reach a gentle bubbling state, then immediately reduce to a tranquil simmer.
6. Allow the soup to meld and develop complex flavors, stirring intermittently during a 20-30 minute transformation period.
7. Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings to harmonize the flavor profile.
8. Transfer the steaming mixture into individual serving vessels, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of shredded cheese, dollop of creamy sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chip garnish.

Notes

• Swap ground beef for lean turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the soup that’s perfect for health-conscious eaters.
• Enhance the soup’s protein content by adding quinoa or extra beans, making it more filling and nutritionally balanced for vegetarians and athletes.
• Customize spice levels by adjusting taco seasoning or adding fresh jalapeños for heat lovers, while keeping a milder option for those with sensitive palates.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and homemade taco seasoning, which allows better control over salt intake without compromising delicious flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 10g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 75mg