This hearty Taco Soup recipe bursts with crave-worthy Mexican flavors. In just 30 minutes, you’ll serve up a warm bowl of this protein-packed soup loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, corn, beans, and taco seasoning. Serve with your favorite taco toppings for the ultimate Tex-Mex weeknight dinner.
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Helpful Reader Review
“Delicious!! We have made this recipe several times and it’s always a hit! I love adding some fresh lime juice for a little something extra!” – Kate ★★★★★
Taco Soup Video
See how to make this easy 1-pot, 30-minute meal any night of the week (less clean up-yay). Taco soup is filling and great for meal prep since it keeps well in the fridge and freezer.
Like our Slow Cooker Beef Chili, this is the perfect bowl of comfort for cooler weather, and it also has the same crowd-pleasing flavors as our irresistible Taco Salad. This recipe is the best of both!
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
We love Mexican food around here. Whether it’s Chicken Fajitas, Fish Tacos, or even Ceviche, Mexican-inspired recipes are always on our regular rotation. This recipe is a great substitute for Taco Tuesday when you want tacos but want to cozy up to a bowl of something hot and cozy.
Everything you need to make this taco soup is probably already in your pantry, and it’s easy to swap ingredients to use what you have on hand, or to fit dietary needs, so this is sure to be a go-to meal!
Taco Soup Ingredients
The ingredients for taco soup are so simple – these are staples that I like to keep on hand in my fridge and pantry to whip up this easy weeknight dinner:
- Ground Beef – I used lean ground beef 85-90%. For higher fat content, skim off excess fat. You can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or even shredded chicken like my Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Aromatics – onion and garlic add great flavor to the broth.
- Tomatoes – tomato paste and original Rotel (canned diced tomatoes and green chilis). You can use spicy Rotel for more heat.
- Seasonings – Taco Seasoning, cumin, and paprika. For added heat, chop jalapeños to add with the garlic, or after cooking, add Sriracha or hot sauce
- Stock – low-sodium Beef stock or Chicken stock, you can also substitute bouillon cubes in water and adjust the seasonings.
- Beans – I prefer drained black beans or pinto beans, but you can use kidney beans or garbanzo beans.
- Corn – canned, fresh, or frozen will work
How to Make Taco Soup
You’ll love how easy this taco soup is to make, and it’s ready to serve in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Brown the ground beef with the onion in a dutch oven or soup pot until no pink meat remains.
- Spoon out any excess fat, if desired.
- Season – Add tomato paste, garlic, and seasonings, and then stir for another minute.
- Add stock, Rotel (with juices), drained beans, and drained corn, and then bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot while it simmers for 15 minutes.
- Serve – Season with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning, if desired, and then serve hot with your desired toppings.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
After sautéing the meat and onions in step 1, transfer the cooked meat with the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker, and then cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours for a delicious crockpot taco soup.
What’s the difference between chili and taco soup?
Taco soup and chili have similar ingredients, but soup is thinner than chili, calls for less beans than chili, and calls for Taco Seasoning for a traditional Mexican flavor. It also doesn’t require lengthy simmering.
Toppings for Taco Soup
Just like serving regular tacos, I love serving a variety of toppings with taco soup:
- Tortilla chips or crushed Doritos
- A dollop of sour cream
- Diced avocado or guacamole
- Cheddar or Mexican cheese, shredded
- Fresh cilantro or chopped green onions
- Lime wedges
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Warm Homemade Tortillas
This taco soup recipe brings together two amazing recipes in one: Beef Tacos and hearty soup, a perfect combination. The dish is hearty and warming, and so easy to make – perfect for busy weeknights.
P.S. Don’t Forget Dessert! Finish your taco soup dinner with a Mexican-inspired dessert like Churros, Flan, or Tres Leches Cake.
Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning, or more to taste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3 cups beef stock, or chicken stock
- 2 cans Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis with their juice, original or spicy
- 15 oz can beans, pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can of corn, drained, or 1 cup frozen corn
Instructions
- Brown – Set a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat and add oil. Add ground beef and onion and sauté, breaking it up with a spatula for 6-7 minutes or until beef is browned.
- Spoon out excess fat if desired, leaving about 1-2 Tbsp.
- Season – Add tomato paste, garlic, taco seasoning, cumin, and paprika, and then saute another minute until garlic is fragrant and spices have bloomed.
- Add stock, Rotel diced tomatoes with their juice, drained beans, and drained corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve – Season with salt, pepper, and more taco seasoning to taste if needed, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- To Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Freezing: Transfer the soup into freezer-friendly containers or use freezer zip-top bags. In fact, we like to freeze in single-serving portions for easy defrosting. Eat within 3 months.
- To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight, and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove to 165°F. You can also reheat from frozen in a saucepan, stirring occasionally for even heating.
Nutrition Per Serving
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More Soup Recipes
If you loved this taco soup recipe, check out these fan-favorite soup recipes for your next meal:
- Tomato Soup Recipe
- Zuppa Toscana Recipe
- Corn Chowder Recipe
- Potato Soup
- Hamburger Soup Recipe
- Split Pea Soup
- Cabbage Soup
- Roasted Tomato Soup
Delish!! Such an easy and flavorful soup!
Served it as a side with enchiladas. Garnishes of cheese, avocado, and sour cream really elevated the flavor! Already copied this recipe into my recipe file!