I absolutely love the taste and flavor of tacos! But sometimes, I get a little tired of tacos in shells or taco salad. So, sometimes, when the weather is colder, or I just feel like more of a heartier soup recipe, I turn to this easy taco soup recipe.
You still get to use taco toppings. Because, you know, those are the best part of having tacos! This recipe uses quite a few canned goods. It's great having recipes that use pantry staples and ingredients you already have at home.
Other Tex-Mex flavored dishes you should try are these taco stuffed pasta shells, these shredded chicken tacos and my family's favorite easy beef nachos - so delicious!
Table of contents
Why I Love this Recipe
Super easy to make—just toss everything into a pot (or slow cooker) and let it do the work! No complicated steps, just simple, delicious comfort food.
Packed with flavor with taco seasoning, beans, tomatoes, and ground beef (or turkey). Every bite is full of that bold, zesty Tex-Mex goodness.
Customizable and versatile, so you can swap out ingredients based on what you have! Use different beans, add extra veggies, or make it spicy with jalapeños.
Perfect for meal prep because it tastes even better the next day, making it great for leftovers and easy lunches. Plus, it freezes beautifully!
Family-friendly - everyone loves it! Serve it with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, or avocado for a warm and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef, cooked and broken up
1 Tablespoon oil (to cook onions)
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
16 oz red kidney beans drained
1 14.5 oz canned diced chili-ready tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning
4 cups beef broth
Taco Soup Toppings
Favorite toppings include cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped avocado. Tortilla chips are a favorite side!
Optional Ingredient substitutions
I'm a kind of cook-what-you-have-handy type of person. Substitutions are 100 percent encouraged. Below are some suggestions.
Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef
If you don't have a can of diced chili-ready tomatoes, use regular diced tomatoes and add a tablespoon of chili powder (or even tomato sauce).
Don't have kidney beans? Substitute black beans, pinto beans, or a can of whatever beans you have handy. I also know some people like to add a cup of frozen or canned corn (in addition to the beans).
If your family likes spicy, add some green chiles.
Instructions
Cook and break up ground beef in a separate skillet and drain any fat.
Using a Dutch oven at medium heat, add oil and diced onions.
Looking for super easy delicious recipes? Sign up and I'll send them!
When onions have been cooked until soft and starting to brown, add garlic and stir constantly.
Add chopped red bell peppers, then add the beef broth (usually 2 cans or the box of beef broth)
Add canned beans and canned tomatoes.
My family is not a fan of tomato chunks. I go through the extra step of putting the chili-ready canned tomatoes in the blender. It takes just a minute to get a smoother texture.
Add a package of taco seasoning.
If you have your own homemade recipe for taco seasoning, go ahead and use it. I personally find the taco seasoning provides enough salt, but if you prefer more, salt to your taste.
Stir and let simmer for about 15 minutes for the flavors to blend.
Serve with your favorite taco toppings and tortilla chips.
Easy and Delicious Taco Soup Recipe (hearty).
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef cooked and broken up
- 1 Tablespoon oil to cook onions
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 1 can kidney beans 16 oz red kidney beans, drained
- 1 can can Rotel diced tomatoes and chiles 15 oz chili ready diced tomatos
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 4 cups beef broth
- Favorite toppings include cheddar cheese sour cream, and chopped avocado. Tortilla chips are a favorite side!
Instructions
- Cook and break up ground beef in a separate skillet and drain any fat.
- Using a dutch oven at medium heat, add oil and diced onions
- When onions have been cooked until soft and starting to brown, add garlic and stir constantly.
- Add chopped red bell peppers, then add the beef broth (usually 2 cans or the box of beef broth)
- Add canned beans and canned tomatoes.
- My family is not a fan of tomato chunks. I go through the extra step of putting the chili-ready canned tomatoes in the blender. It takes just a minute to get a smoother texture.
- Add a package of taco seasoning.
- Stir and let simmer about 15 minutes for the flavors to blend.
- Serve with suggested toppings and tortilla chips.
Notes
If you don't have a can of diced chili-ready tomatoes, use regular diced tomatoes and add a tablespoon of chili powder (or even use tomato sauce).
Don't have kidney beans? Substitute black beans, pinto beans or a can of whatever beans you have handy.
If your family likes spicy, add some green chilies.
Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)
Storing Taco Soup
Place leftover soup in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator after it has cooled down a bit. I would recommend eating it within 3 days.
This recipe is also freezer-friendly. I have started freezing soups in single servings in mason jars. With the difficulty in finding regular mason jar lids, I have started purchasing and using these jar lids. They are great, and have been reusing some for over a year. They are not suitable for canning but are perfect for freezing.
Other Soup Recipes I Recommend
I love soup and have some good ones on my site. Try these easy soup recipes!
Pasta Fagioli - an Olive Garden copycat recipe
Italian Wedding Soup
Tortellini Meatball Soup with Spinach
Brooke Fedigan
I am a huge fan of soups and this recipe is a perfect one to try. Thank you for sharing!
Rosemary Palmer
I love taco soup - really better than chili. I don't like chunky tomatoes either.
Cat Michaels
YUM! How'd you know I'm looking for easy soup recipes to make for these cold winter days!
Sara
Just the recipe we need with another huge snow storm coming!