Taco Soup Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This one-pot taco soup delivers all the bold, Tex-Mex goodness you love with simple pantry staples and minimal prep! Plus, it’s ready to go in 30 minutes. This is one of my family’s favorite dinners and I know you’ll love it just as much.

Looking for more hearty soups to warm you up from the inside-out this winter? Try these: 8-can chicken taco soup, chicken fajita soup, and 20-minute black bean soup!

Taco Soup Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Easy Taco Soup

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get this recipe on the blog. I make it for my family all the time. (And always have some left over to heat up in the fridge!) This quick and easy taco soup is hearty, flavorful and uses simple canned ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!

And if you’re not already convinced, this taco soup recipe is the best because you make everything in one pot. Clean-up is a breeze! It all starts with some seasoned ground beef, combined with a beef broth and fire-roasted tomato base. Then you add all those veggies and beans to give it texture that’s out of this world! Serve with some tortilla strips and you have the perfect dinner for chilly nights.

Ingredients in Taco Soup

I love this taco soup recipe because it uses so many simple ingredients. It’s perfect for when you have leftover taco meat in the fridge! Just combine it with some beef broth, canned veggies, and you have a delicious, hearty dinner on your hands! Note: all measurements are in the recipe card below.

  • Lean Ground Beef:Besides all of the beans, this is your main protein source. If you’re wanting something leaner you can also use ground turkey.
  • Diced Yellow Onion:Aromatic foundation for building that classic taco base.
  • Minced Garlic: So your taco soup has the perfect savory flavor.
  • Taco Seasoning:Convenient blend of spices to season your ground beef with. Use premade taco seasoning or make your own blend!
  • Beef Broth:Liquid base for simmering and melding all the flavors.
  • Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes:Rich,smoky sweetness with a touch of char.
  • Canned Corn:Adds sweetness and texture. Drain before using.
  • Canned Black Beans:Nutty flavor and creamy texture,adding bulk and protein. Drain before adding.
  • Canned Pinto Beans:Earthy flavor and lots of fiber! Again, drain before you add these to your taco soup!
  • Green Chiles:Fiery kick to customize your spice level.
  • Mexican Hot Style El Pato Tomato Sauce:Tangy depth and a touch of heat (use milder options if preferred).

Add Some Toppings

Taco soup is great on its own, but even better with toppings! I like to add a dollop of sour cream, shredded Mexican blend cheese, some sliced avocados for creaminess, extra tomatoes, and chopped cilantro for garnish. And of course, you can’t forget the chips! Tortilla strips are always a good option, or you can use my family’s favorite- Fritos Scoops!

How to Make It

3 simple steps and ready in 30 minutes, this taco soup is the perfect weeknight meal. Really, all you have to do is combine all of your ingredients and let everything simmer to flavorful perfection!

  1. Cook Ground Beef: In a large stock pot cook the ground beef and onion together over medium high heat. When the meat is evenly browned, add in the garlic and taco seasoning and sauté another minute, evenly incorporating the seasonings.
  2. Add Broth and Vegetables: To the pot add the beef broth, tomatoes, corn, black beans, pinto beans, green chiles, and Mexican style tomato sauce.
  3. Simmer: Bring everything to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, just to incorporate and heat everything together.
  4. Serve: Remove from heat and then serve with toppings if desired.
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Tips and Variations

A few extra ways to customize your taco soup to your liking. It’s a dinner staple at my house, be prepared for your family to love it just as much!

  • Add Some Heat: If you like some heat with your taco soup I suggest adding a diced jalapeño to the soup, although the Mexican style tomato sauce adds some heat!
  • Make it Thicker: You can mash some of your beans to give your taco soup a richer, thicker consistency.
  • Make it Vegetarian: You can swap out the ground beef for meatless crumbles, or just omit the beef entirely. You’ll also want to use vegetable broth instead of beef. Taco soup has enough protein on its own with just the beans!
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Storing Leftover Taco Soup

Taco soup makes the BEST leftovers. Like I said earlier, I always have some ready to heat up in my fridge for a quick, flavorful meal.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1 minute intervals, or warm your taco soup over the stove on medium heat.
Taco Soup Recipe - The Recipe Critic (4)

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Easy Taco Soup

By: Alyssa Rivers

This one-pot taco soup delivers all the bold, Tex-Mex goodness you love with simple pantry staples and minimal prep! Plus, it's ready to go in 30 minutes. This is one of my family’s favorite dinners and I know you’ll love it just as much.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 14 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 ounce can corn drained
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans drained
  • 1 15 ounce can pinto beans drained
  • 1 4 ounce cans green chiles
  • 1 1 ounce can El Pato tomato sauce mexican hot style

Toppings

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot cook the ground beef and onion together over medium high heat. When the meat is evenly browned, add in the garlic and taco seasoning and saute another minute, evenly incorporating the seasonings.

  • To the pot add the beef broth, tomatoes, corn, black beans, pinto beans, green chiles, and Mexican style tomato sauce.

  • Bring everything to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, just to incorporate and heat everything together.

  • Remove from heat and serve with the toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 20gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 1057mgPotassium: 617mgFiber: 7gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 61IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican American, Tex Mex

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Taco Soup Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

How do you thicken taco soup? You shouldn't need to thicken this taco soup—the meat and vegetables make it pretty chunky. If needed, you can add refried beans, other mashed beans or rice to thicken it up.

What is taco soup made of? ›

Cook onion and garlic until translucent, then brown the beef. Add taco seasoning, corn, beans, beef, canned tomato, beef or chicken broth, and canned green chili if you have it. Simmer for just 10 minutes to bring the flavours together, then it's ready to ladle into bowls.

What do you eat with taco soup? ›

The best sides and toppings for a cozy pot of Taco Soup! Mexican rice, cornbread, homemade tortilla chips, crisp salads, and cool, sweet fruit pairings. Plus guac and salsas, too. Even dessert!

What do restaurants use to thicken soup? ›

Corn Starch

This completely versatile starch is used in savory and sweet dishes alike: gelatinizing fruit pie fillings or thickening your hefty, stick-to-your-bones soups.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

There are several reasons why taco soup may turn out thin and watery. One common reason is using too much broth or liquid in the soup. Additionally, not simmering the soup for long enough can lead to a thin consistency.

What is a substitute for beef broth in tacos? ›

Vegetable Broth

Using this as a substitute for beef broth is a great way to add flavor to your dish. Vegetable broth from vegetable stock is a flavorful alternative that is perfect for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Add some bay leaves for a different flavor.

Who invented taco soup? ›

The exact origin of tortilla soup is unknown, but it is also known as sopa Azteca (Soup of the Aztecs) which leads many to believe this dish originated in central or southern Mexico, where the Aztecs originally settled.

What is a good side for tortilla soup? ›

Crusty Bread or Breadsticks:Serve with crusty Italian bread, baguette, or breadsticks to dip into the flavorful broth. Side Salad:A light side salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a simple vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast.

What are 3 specialty soups? ›

List
NameOrigin
BorschtUkraine
BouillabaisseFrance
Shark fin soupChina
Tom yam kungThailand

How do you thicken taco soup without cornstarch? ›

Thickening your soup without using flour or cornstarch is easier than you might think. By incorporating ingredients such as vegetable purees, mashed potatoes, beans or legumes, coconut milk, or a roux substitute, you can achieve the desired consistency while adding extra flavor and nutrition.

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How do you thicken Mexican soup? ›

One option is to create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water. Stir the slurry into the soup and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Another option is to add a can of refried beans or mashed black beans to the soup, which will both thicken and add flavor.

What can you use instead of flour to thicken soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

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