Taco Soup
One-pot taco soup with beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Ready in 30 minutes, freezes well, and scales up easily.
This is a recipe I received from a friend. I fixed it for another friend and she and her husband loved it so much they said it was an 11 on a scale of 1-10.
Submitted by: Lynne from Scottsdale, AZ, or Downers Grove, IL, USA
Yield: Easily enough for 4-6 servings.
- Brown beef and onions, add canned tomatoes, beans, corn, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning; simmer 30 minutes.
- Recipe scales easily and freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Top with cheddar, tortilla strips, sour cream, jalapeño, or olives for added flavor and texture.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
Saute ground beef and chopped onions until beef is browned. Add the next 5 ingredients ending with the taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, 1 hour if you are making larger amounts. Stir occasionally.
Serve with grated cheddar cheese and fried or toasted tortilla chips. Add a little sour cream, jalapeños, and black olives on top, as desired.
Crushed tortilla chips are a great garnish too.
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
This recipe may easily be doubled, tripled, or more. It freezes well. I can't think of an easier soup that I have made that is more delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swap the ground beef for another protein?
Yes. Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork the same way. Brown it with the onions and proceed with the recipe. For vegetarian options use plant based crumbles, extra beans, or lentils and a splash of vegetable broth.
What can I use instead of store bought taco seasoning?
Make a quick mix: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne. That totals roughly 1 ounce for this recipe.
How do I thicken or thin the soup?
To thicken: simmer uncovered until reduced, stir in crushed tortilla chips, or add a slurry of 1 tablespoon masa harina or cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water. To thin: add beef or vegetable broth or a little water.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes. Slow cooker: brown meat and onions, transfer everything to the cooker and cook low 4 to 6 hours or high 2 to 3 hours. Instant Pot: use sauté to brown meat and onions, add remaining ingredients, seal and cook on high pressure 5 to 8 minutes, then quick release or natural release for 5 minutes.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months, leaving some headspace. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove over low heat until hot. You can microwave single portions as well.
How can I make the soup milder or spicier?
For milder: use less taco seasoning or a mild blend, remove seeds from jalapeños, and add a dollop of sour cream when serving. For spicier: add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce, increase cayenne in the seasoning, or use spicy taco seasoning.
What are good toppings and side ideas?
Top with grated cheddar, crushed or toasted tortilla strips, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, sliced black olives, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or cornbread.
Can I double or triple the recipe and freeze it?
Yes. The recipe scales well. If cooking a much larger batch, simmer 1 hour for best flavor. Freeze in portioned containers so you can thaw only what you need.
Can I swap the ground beef for another protein?
Yes. Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork the same way. Brown it with the onions and proceed with the recipe. For vegetarian options use plant based crumbles, extra beans, or lentils and a splash of vegetable broth.
What can I use instead of store bought taco seasoning?
Make a quick mix: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne. That totals roughly 1 ounce for this recipe.
How do I thicken or thin the soup?
To thicken: simmer uncovered until reduced, stir in crushed tortilla chips, or add a slurry of 1 tablespoon masa harina or cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water. To thin: add beef or vegetable broth or a little water.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes. Slow cooker: brown meat and onions, transfer everything to the cooker and cook low 4 to 6 hours or high 2 to 3 hours. Instant Pot: use sauté to brown meat and onions, add remaining ingredients, seal and cook on high pressure 5 to 8 minutes, then quick release or natural release for 5 minutes.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months, leaving some headspace. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove over low heat until hot. You can microwave single portions as well.
How can I make the soup milder or spicier?
For milder: use less taco seasoning or a mild blend, remove seeds from jalapeños, and add a dollop of sour cream when serving. For spicier: add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce, increase cayenne in the seasoning, or use spicy taco seasoning.
What are good toppings and side ideas?
Top with grated cheddar, crushed or toasted tortilla strips, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, sliced black olives, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or cornbread.
Can I double or triple the recipe and freeze it?
Yes. The recipe scales well. If cooking a much larger batch, simmer 1 hour for best flavor. Freeze in portioned containers so you can thaw only what you need.
Nice taste and easy to cook, especially with the help of a multi cooker( mine is Redmond m90). Taco soup must be my favourite one, thanks for the recipe!
Very Good Recipe!!! I made it today and my roomates loved it. In my case, I added dry Cilantro, I didn’t make it to the Spice House for their Taco Seasoning :( so I used McCormick Taco Seasoning. I also browned the meat a little before I added the onions so I could drain some of the grease and then added the onions and I also added a little garlic powder.
I will make it again!!!
Dan
PS I was thinking about adding a little liquid smoke, but didn’t do it this time.
My family loved the soup and I am definitely making this again very soon. It was so fast and sooo good. I have given the receipt to my friends and I know they will enjoy the soup as much as we did. Thank you for these delicious receipts – I am looking to make another one tomorrow.
I love this recipe it was quick, fast and very good. The best part of it all is that my daughter asked for seconds and thirds and that was a compliment as she is not easily pleased with any meal that I try to recreate. A sure winner!