Taco Soup Recipe

5 from 13 votes
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This comforting one-pot Taco Soup is easy to make with tomatoes, beans, and your choice of ground beef or turkey! It’s a healthy 30-minute meal that brings coziness to any busy weeknight.

If you’re in the mood for more Mexican-inspired soups, be sure to check out my chorizo soup and chicken pozole verde. They’re perfect for adding some variety to your dinner routine!

A Large Bowl of Taco Soup Garnished with Shredded Mozzarella Cheese on a Countertop


 

I’m a big fan of enjoying soup as a main course, but not just any soup will do. It has to be something substantial and satisfying, like this hearty and flavorful taco soup! I’m telling you, a happy tummy is just one pot and 30 minutes away.

This easy soup recipe is a true family favorite at our house. Paired with a simple avocado salad and a hunk of crusty slow cooker bread, it’s a complete meal that we all love! It’s perfect for cozy nights or when we need a quick, hearty dinner. And, I must admit, we’ve had arguments over who gets the leftovers.

Luckily, there are plenty of servings to go around. To keep the peace, I recommend portioning the soup equally for everyone at the table. ✌️ But I wouldn’t blame you for sneaking an extra bowl!

A Pot of Taco Soup with a Ladel Full of Soup Hovering Above it

What You’ll Need

As far as soup goes, this recipe is really simple! Using good quality ingredients is a sure-fire way to make the most delicious taco soup of your life.

  • Olive Oil: For sautéing.
  • Yellow Onion: You can also use a white onion or shallots.
  • Garlic Cloves: Garlic powder can be used if you are out of fresh garlic.
  • Taco Meat: You’ll need either 1 pound of lean ground beef or 98% lean ground turkey meat.
  • Ground Cumin: I like to stir in a bit of cumin to add a warm, earthy flavor. If you prefer something stronger, I suggest using this homemade taco seasoning.
  • Chili Powder: Turn up the heat with a teaspoon of chili powder.
  • Dried Oregano: Provides a fresh, earthy note.
  • Salt & Black Pepper: Just a simple seasoning to enhance the overall taste and flavors.
  • Canned Tomatoes: I highly recommend using diced tomatoes that don’t add artificial ingredients, GMO products, lye, or other unnecessary things to your dreamy tomatoes.
  • Canned Chiles: You’ll need a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Mild or hot – up to you! I use my homemade enchilada sauce.
  • Canned Black Beans: If you’d like to use red kidney beans or any other canned beans, that’s okay, too; just make sure to rinse them well.
  • Bay Leaf: Use one to two bay leaves to add a subtle, aromatic flavor to the taco soup.
  • Beef Broth: I use low-sodium broth to control the sodium in the soup. Chicken broth or stock are good substitutes.
  • Fresh Parsley: Or freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish.
  • Sour Cream: For serving.
  • Shredded Cheese: I use a Mexican blend of shredded cheese as garnish.

How to Make Taco Soup

For a dish as hearty and full of flavor as this taco soup recipe, the cooking process is surprisingly simple! Follow the below steps to make it happen.

  1. Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a soup pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Sauté Onions & Garlic: Add the prepared onions and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
  3. Add Meat & Seasonings: Stir in the ground meat and season with cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
  4. Stir & Cook: Stir occasionally to break up the meat and cook for 6 minutes, or until the meat is browned.
  5. Add Veggies & Sauce: Add tomatoes, green chiles, enchilada sauce and black beans; stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes.
  6. Add Broth: Stir in the broth and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Taste & Adjust: Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
  8. Garnish & Serve: Remove your soup from the heat and ladle it into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley, sour cream and cheese. Serve and enjoy!
A Pot Full of Taco Soup Beside a Bowl Contiaining a Single Serving

Recipe Tips

  • Drain the beans well: It’s super important to rinse and drain your black beans thoroughly before putting them in the soup. You don’t want to add any excess liquid.
  • Stir the meat during cooking: Remember to give the ground beef (or turkey) a good stir while it’s simmering with the seasonings. This breaks up clumps and ensures even cooking.
  • Season to taste: One of the great things about soup is how easy it is to adjust the flavor while it’s cooking. Give it a taste before you call it quits, and add any last-minute seasonings your taste buds desire!

Toppings Ideas

There are so many fun toppings you can add to your taco soup – it’s such an easy way to experiment!

  • Diced Jalapeños
  • Avocado Slices
  • Lime Wedges
  • Crushed Tortilla Chips
  • Olives
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
A Bowl Filled with Taco Soup on Top of a Plate Beside a Can of Diced Tomatoes

What To Serve With Taco Soup?

I have a handful of highly recommended sides to serve with this Mexican-inspired soup. You can’t go wrong with this light, buttery skillet cornbread. It is the perfect side dish to complete this comfort-food meal.

A bowl of fresh mango guacamole with some corn or tortilla chips alongside this soup is a game-changer! But if you’d like something a little more classic, go for this simple basil guac recipe instead.

Another healthy and comforting dish, a plate of garlic butter cauliflower rice plus a bowl of taco soup, just makes sense.

A White Pot with Red Handles Filled with Mexican Enchilada Soup

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Keep leftover taco soup in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy it within 4 days, or freeze it for 2 to 3 months. Reheat it over low heat until it’s nice and warm.

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5 from 13 votes

Taco Soup Recipe

This comforting one-pot Taco Soup is easy to make with tomatoes, beans and your choice of beef or turkey! It's a healthy 30-minute meal that brings coziness to any busy weeknight.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef, ground turkey and ground chicken are okay to use
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes
  • 4 ounces can green chiles
  • 10 ounces can red enchilada sauce, mild or hot
  • 15 ounces can black beans, well rinsed and drained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 to 7 cups low sodium beef broth, you can also use vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
  • dollops of sour cream, for garnish
  • 1 cup shredded mexican blend cheese, for garnish
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Instructions 

  • Cook the aromatics. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a soup pot or a Dutch oven. Add onions and saute for 2 minutes; stir in the garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
  • Add meat and seasonings. Stir in the ground beef and season with cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir occasionally to break up the meat and cook for 6 minutes, or until the meat is browned.
  • Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Add tomatoes, green chiles, enchilada sauce, and black beans; stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Add broth. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season to taste. Taste for salt, pepper, and seasonings, and adjust accordingly.
  • Serve. Remove the pot from the heat and ladle the taco soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley, sour cream, and cheese, and serve.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 12ounces | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 1122mg | Potassium: 870mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 477IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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35 Comments

  1. Laura / I Heart Naptime says:

    This soup looks so delicious – and perfect for dinner tonight!

  2. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says:

    Other companies use lye?! Eww. I didn’t know that!

    And this looks so tasty!

  3. Krista says:

    I Love Taco Soup! I need to try thi recipe ASAP!

  4. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says:

    Pass the bowl, a big bowl, because that looks delicious!

  5. sally @ sallys baking addiction says:

    This looks unbelievable! Hearty, flavorful, and downright comfort food. Also, I love how simple it is!

  6. Jen @ The Weary Chef says:

    I need to try this taco soup very soon! I LOVE taco and this soup sounds perfect to me! This will surely hit the spot!

  7. Gina @Running to the Kitchen says:

    I would love a giant bowl of this right now! It looks so delicious!

  8. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says:

    What a fun and filling soup recipe! I’m adding this to my list for Taco Tuesday Soup! Love it!

  9. Connie says:

    Add the tomatoes etc the same time as the broth?

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Hi Connie!! Thanks soooo much for letting me know that I missed a step! XO I’ve corrected my mistake. 😀

  10. Michelle Goth says:

    I love how hearty this looks! I LOVE tacos so I can imagine I will love this soup as well.