Description
This Easy Taco Soup recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish combining ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices simmered to perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights, it can be quickly cooked on the stovetop or slow-cooked for deeper flavors. Topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and fresh herbs, this comforting soup offers a tasty twist on classic taco flavors in a warm, satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (946ml) beef or chicken broth or stock
- 1 (15 oz) (432g) canned corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 (28 oz) (793g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) (113g) canned chopped green chiles
Spices
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Cook the beef and onions: In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the beef or chicken broth, drained corn, black beans, chili beans in sauce, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Simmer the soup: Cover the pot with a lid and simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, simmer longer as desired.
- Serve with toppings: Ladle the taco soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, sliced green onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.
- Slow cooker option: Place the raw ground beef in the bottom of a crockpot, breaking it into small chunks (or brown it first for extra flavor). Add all other ingredients except toppings and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Serve with desired toppings.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based protein or extra beans.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
- The soup thickens as it simmers; add more broth if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Leftovers taste great and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Consider serving with warm tortillas or cornbread for a complete meal.
