Description
This hearty Taco Soup combines ground beef, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with a blend of flavorful spices to create a comforting and satisfying meal. Perfect for chilly days, it’s easy to make on the stovetop and can be customized with various toppings such as cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 4 cups beef broth
- Optional: 1 cup water
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Diced avocado
- Tortilla chips or strips
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced red onion
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until fully browned. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes softened and fragrant, enhancing the soup’s base flavors.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet, making sure the beef and onions are evenly coated with the spices, which imparts classic taco flavor to the soup.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and beef broth. Stir everything together so the ingredients are well mixed.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. If you prefer a thinner consistency, stir in optional water during simmering.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the soup and season further if needed. Add salt, pepper, or extra cayenne pepper to reach your desired taste and heat level.
- Serve with Toppings: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, tortilla chips or strips, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and jalapeños for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and green chilies.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adding fresh lime juice just before serving can brighten the flavors.
- Feel free to use homemade taco seasoning by mixing chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
