Description
This Easy Taco Soup recipe brings together hearty ground beef, beans, corn, and rich spices simmered in a flavorful broth to deliver a comforting and delicious meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and pairs beautifully with classic toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips for a customizable, crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (946ml) beef or chicken broth or stock
- 1 (15 oz) (432g) canned corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) canned chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 (28 oz) (793g) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) (113g) canned chopped green chiles
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics: In a large dutch oven or pot, heat over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the beef or chicken broth, then stir in the drained corn, black beans, chili beans in chili sauce, crushed tomatoes, chopped green chiles, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to your taste.
- Simmer the Soup: Cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors. For a richer taste, you may simmer for a longer time.
- Serve: Ladle the taco soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes such as shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, sliced green onions, cilantro, and a wedge of lime for added zest.
- Slow Cooker Option (Alternate Method): For convenience, place the raw ground beef at the bottom of a crockpot, breaking it into smaller chunks (browning beforehand enhances flavor but is optional). Add all other ingredients except toppings, mixing well. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Serve with toppings as desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness of the soup.
- Adding fresh lime juice at the end brightens the flavors.
- The soup thickens the longer it simmers; add extra broth if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
