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    Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

    BEST Taco Soup Recipe

    Published: May 7, 2022 · Modified: Jan 28, 2020 by Bowl Me Over · 12 Comments

    Easy Taco Soup is a spicy and delicious soup that's made with pantry staples! If you can open a can - you can make this fabulous soup - let's get cooking!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the BEST Taco Soup Recipe! A little spicy and delicious, this soup that's made with pantry staples! If you can open a can - you can make this fabulous soup!

    Next time try the Taco Salad Casserole - it's so good!

    Taco Soup in a black bowl
    My Mom's recipe for the BEST Taco Soup!

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This is a recipe to keep in your back pocket for busy days or if you're trying to stretch a buck.

    ✔️ It's great for a beginning cook because if you can brown ground beef and use your can opener .....you can make this soup!

    ✔️ This is a simple soup packed with flavor.

    ✔️ It freezes great and tastes even better on day two!

    This is my Mom's recipe, and she's been making it for years. It's a recipe I make probably once a month because it's easy, good and pretty good for you too! That's the trifecta in my opinion!

    Ingredients

    Best taco soup in pot on stove.
    Start by browning the ground beef and adding the remaining ingredients.

    For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

    • ground beef - for meatiness in the soup, you can also use ground turkey.
    • onion - I like the sweetness of a yellow onion.
    • pantry items - canned olives and corn, kidney and pinto beans, hominy and/or green beans, canned chopped jalapenos, fire-roasted tomatoes.
    • mild taco seasoning - use a packet or your own homemade spice mix.

    Instructions 

    Soup in bowl ready to eat!
    Garnish with diced tomatoes and sour cream - an extra slice or two or jalapenos will spice up your meal!

    This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

    1. Brown ground beef.
    2. Add the chopped onion and taco seasoning packet and saute.
    3. Open the cans - DO NOT drain.
    4. Add all of the remaining ingredients in with the taco meat and onions.
    5. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, stir well. Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally.
    6. Simmer for an hour - serve and enjoy!

    Crock Pot Instructions

    1. Brown the meat in a sauce pan and drain well.
    2. Add it to the slow cooker.
    3. Top with the remaining ingredients - stir to combine.
    4. Cover & cook on low for 4 hours.

    Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

    • Ladle – this one is on my wishlist because it's so whimsical! Plus it comes in a variety of colors and makes eating a great soup that much more fun!

    FAQ's

    What kind of beans go in taco soup?

    Black Beans, kidney beans and pinto beans would be my first choice. However, if all you have in the pantry was cannellini or garbonzo beans, use those for an easy substitution.

    Can you make Taco Soup in the Crock Pot?

    Absolutely! Just brown the meat first. Then add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker.

    What tones down spicy soup?

    Dairy is the best way to tone down spiciness. Serve with a big dollop of sour cream! A touch of sugar or honey will help tame the heat of chiles as well.

    Things to know

    If desired, serve this soup garnished with;

    • chopped tomatoes
    • jalapenos
    • Monterey jack or cojita cheese
    • sour cream
    • chips

    But seriously, this soup can stand on its own without any garnish - it's just delicious!

    Taco soup in black bowl topped with sour cream
    Warm spicy flavors in this recipe for the BEST Taco Soup!

    Variations

    • Don't forget this soup freezes great, so freeze a quart for later. Then on day two....
    • Easy Nachos! Just drain the excess liquid and top your favorite chips, add some cheese and toss it into the oven to get the cheese all melty.
    • Top off a baked potato.
    • Delicious on a big salad

    Want all my tips and tricks for making the BEST soups and stews? Click here for Homemade Soup; A Complete Guide

    Related recipes

    I love all of the big hearty flavors in Mexican cuisine and soup? That definitely brings it! Some of my favorites include Mexican Meatball Soup, Authentic Posole and Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup.

    A few more include:

    • Chicken Posole Verde - tender chicken, onions and hominy combined with earthy spices to make this amazing stew.
    • Chicken Chipotle Soup - a quick 30 minute hearty stew.

    More hearty soups

    • Potato Soup Recipe - this creamy soup is a great family meal for busy weeknights!
    • Navy Bean Soup with Ham is a slow cooked delicious meal. With rich flavor it's an easy to make, affordable meal that tastes even better on day two!
    • Rich and tender beef is the star of this recipe for Crockpot Beef Stew - did I mention it has dumplings? It's just SO GOOD!

    A few more to try are Wild Rice Chicken Soup, Supreme Pizza Soup or this recipe for 30 Minute Chicken Tortellini Soup has all the flavor of a slowly simmered meal but only takes 30 minutes to make. It's hearty and satisfying too! 

    Serve with

    Are you wondering what to serve with Taco Soup? Here are my favorites!

    • Tortilla chips, corn chips or warm tortillas.
    • Serving it with a Chopped Salad is delicious!
    • Make a batch of these easy yeast rolls - yum!
    • Start the evening with a Blood Orange Paloma or Mexican Martini - make it a party!

    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

    If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

    Taco soup in black bowl topped with sour cream, A is used to scoop a big bite.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Easy Taco Soup Recipe

    Easy Taco Soup is a spicy and delicious soup that's made with pantry staples! If you can open a can - you can make this fabulous soup - let's get cooking!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Course: Soups and Stews
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 425kcal
    Author: Deb Clark
    Cost: $12
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb lean ground beef
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 1 can sliced olives
    • 1 14.5 oz can kidney beans
    • 1 14.5 oz can pinto beans
    • 1 14.5 oz hominy don't like hominy? substitute a can of green beans
    • 1 14.5 oz can corn
    • 2 tablespoons canned jalapeños chopped *
    • 1 package taco seasoning
    • 2 14 oz cans fire roasted tomatoes
    • ½ cup water

    Instructions

    • Brown hamburger meat and drain well.
    • Add the chopped onion and taco seasoning packet. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Open all of the cans - do not drain - and dump everything (juice and all!) in with the taco meat.
    • Increase the heat to high and bring everything to a boil, stir well.
    • Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally. Simmer for one hour covered. Serve with chopped cilantro, sour cream & tortilla chips.

    Notes

    * I like a good amount of spice and use a 4 oz. can of diced jalapeños. To start I'd suggest starting with 2 tablespoons and then adding more jalapeños to top off your soup.
    Crock Pot Directions
    • Brown the meat in a sauce pan and drain well.
    • Add it to the slow cooker.
    • Top with the remaining ingredients - stir to combine.
    • Cover & cook on low for 4 hours.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 684mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 525IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @BowlMeOver or tag #BowlMeOver!

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    Don't worry, we'll never share your email.
    First Published: May 2016... Last Updated: October 10, 2019
    « Weekly Meal Plan 19
    Cheesy Taco Casserole »

    About Bowl Me Over

    Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robert

      March 30, 2022 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      Great sounding and great looking soup

      Reply
    2. Larry

      March 03, 2022 at 10:21 am

      This looks very good and easy to make but you only mention adding 1/2 cup of water. Even if you don't drain the liquid from any of the canned vegetables I would think you'd have to add beef broth.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over

        March 03, 2022 at 12:38 pm

        Nope, I don't add any beef broth Larry - just dump and go. You can certainly add it if you'd prefer a more soupy soup!

        Reply
    3. Liza

      November 27, 2018 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves Mexican flavors! And I'm always nervous about making Mexican because I'm not familiar with this cuisine! But this recipe sounds so doable! I HAVE to make it! Thanks!!

      Reply
    4. Michelle Turner

      November 26, 2018 at 6:14 am

      I know what's for dinner tonight. Perfect after TOO MUCH TURKEY.

      Reply
    5. Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com

      October 09, 2016 at 6:55 pm

      Soup season is here...can't wait to try this, Pinned 🙂

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over

        October 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm

        Awesome - let me know what you think Angela!

        Reply
    6. christine

      July 17, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      My son just discovered his love for tacos. This will be an awesome way for me to switch up taco night. I can only eat tacos so many nights - this will be a great way for him to still have the flavors but in a soup!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over

        July 18, 2016 at 1:40 pm

        Thanks Christine - I just love this soup, my Mom has made it for years. It's so good!

        Reply
    7. Healing Tomato

      May 19, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so hearty and delicious. I have always wanted to make a taco soup. I think I will try using some homemade sofritos in place of the beef.

      Reply
    8. Psychic Nest

      May 18, 2016 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Hi Debra,

      What a full of flavor recipe! I do it as well to my mom's recipes, I change them so as to fit my taste. Your taco soup looks really easy to make and I can't wait to try it. Thank you for sharing!

      Zaria

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over

        May 18, 2016 at 4:25 pm

        Wonderful, thanks Zaria - we've enjoyed this soup for many years, I hope you do too! Thanks for stopping by!!

        Reply

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