Taco Soup

Taco soup quickly becomes a favorite when you’re craving something warm, flavorful, and easy to make. Ditch the beans for this simmered Mexican soup with homemade taco seasoning.

It’s quick to throw together, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It’s also great for meal prep—make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for later!

I almost always have the ingredients in my fridge and pantry. Whenever I’m at a loss for what to have for dinner, this taco soup always comes to the rescue.

With a little prep, you will have soup ready for you and your family in just an hour and a half. It’s great for serving a crowd or for feeding your family with leftovers to spare for lunch. Either way, this soup is one you will come back to repeatedly. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family-friendly: With its taco flavors and fun toppings, even picky eaters will enjoy it.
• Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to fit your diet—swap the beef for a plant-based option or load it with veggies for a healthier twist.
• Hearty and filling: This soup is loaded with protein from the beef and beans, keeping you full and satisfied.
• Easy clean-up: It’s all made in one pot, so clean-up is a breeze!

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Ground Beef: We like lean ground beef for the best results. 
• Olive Oil: This is needed to saute the onions and garlic, making them tender and fragrant.
• Onion: Yellow onion works best, but you can use red or white onion if that’s what you have.
• Garlic: Such an easy way to add flavor! If you don’t have garlic cloves, you can substitute ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic a recipe calls for.
• Beef Broth: It further enhances the beef flavor, but you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth, if you prefer.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: This creates the tomato-y soup base. If you want to add a little kick to yours, use two 14.5 ounce cans of mild Rotel for one of the large cans of diced tomatoes.
• Oregano, Cumin, and Chili Powder: These ingredients make up the homemade taco seasoning that makes the soup extra delicious! You can also use it on your taco meat for Taco Tuesdays.

How to Make Taco Soup

Follow along to learn how to make taco soup. You’ll love how easy it is!

• Step One: Cook ground beef in a frying pan until thoroughly browned. Remove beef to a large pot.
• Step Two: In the same frying pan, add olive oil, onions, and garlic and saute over medium heat until the onions are softened (3 to 5 minutes). Add to the soup pot.

• Step Three: Rinse out the frying pan with one cup of beef broth and add it to the pot. Add the rest of the broth, canned tomatoes, and spices to the pot.
• Step Four: Simmer soup uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Step Five: Serve hot topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.

What to Serve with It

• Cornbread: Soft, buttery cornbread is perfect for soaking up every drop of the soup.
• Tortilla Chips & Salsa: Serve tortilla chips on the side to add some crunch. Dunk them into the soup or scoop up garden salsa for extra flavor. Try my air fryer tortilla chips.
• Fresh Salad: A simple salad with avocado, corn, black beans, and tomatoes drizzled with lime dressing is a great way to balance the soup’s richness.
• Mexican Street Corn Salad: For a fun twist, try a side of Mexican street corn salad made with queso fresco, cilantro, and a creamy dressing. It pairs perfectly with the soup!
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers: Another yummy option that you can serve alongside this simple soup if you’re not worried about the carbs.

Topping Ideas

• Tortilla chips
• Corn chips
• Diced avocado
• Green onions
• Jalapenos
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Cilantro
• Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo
• Queso

Variations and Substitutions

• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef if you want a leaner option.
• Add extra veggies like diced bell peppers or mushrooms.
• Love heat? Add jalapeños, spicy peppers, or hot taco seasoning for a kick. You can even throw some chipotle peppers in for a smoky, spicy flavor.
• Top with shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend of cheeses instead of mozzarella cheese.
• Add a couple of cans of beans for a heartier soup.
• A cup or two of frozen corn is a tasty addition to this easy soup.
• If you’re in the mood for something richer, add cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy cream to the soup base. This makes it super creamy and velvety.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use low-sodium broth if you’re watching your salt content.
• Short on spices? Use a packet of pre-made taco seasoning instead.
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes can add more depth of flavor to this recipe.
• Top with freshly chopped cilantro to make it bright and fresh before serving.

Storage Instructions

You can keep taco soup leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you plan to keep them longer, they need to be frozen.

Can I Freeze?

This Taco Soup freezes well. Just pour the soup into freezer bags or an airtight container and place it in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge the night before. Then, warm it up in a pan or the slow cooker. 

One method I use a lot is using individual containers. I ladle the soup into single-serve bowls and then freeze them. Then, when it comes time for reheating, I can warm up an individual serving and have a quick lunch. This is great if you are single or are looking for quick and easy lunches down the line. 

Can I Make in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can make this Taco Soup in the Crockpot. Brown the beef in a skillet, add the onions, garlic, and sauté. Then, add the beef mixture into the slow cooker, add the other ingredients, and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Or, if you’re in a hurry, cook the soup on high for 2 to 3 hours. 

How to Thicken

• Pureed Veggies: Blend some cooked vegetables or potatoes and stir them into the soup for added thickness and depth.
• Simmer Longer: Let the soup cook for a bit longer to reduce the liquid and naturally thicken it.
• Cornstarch or Flour: Mix cornstarch or flour with water to make a slurry, then stir it into the soup for instant thickening.
• Taco Seasoning: Many taco seasoning packets contain cornstarch, so adding extra seasoning can help thicken the soup while boosting flavor.

Easy Soup Recipes

• 5 Soup Pasta
• Salsa Verde Chicken Soup
• Busy Day Soup
• Sausage and Cabbage Soup
• Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken and Rice Soup
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Hamburger Soup
• Chicken Fajita Soup
• Taco Chili

You’ll also like Mexican Spaghetti, Fish Tacos, Walking Tacos and Taco Casserole.

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