Simple Taco Soup (2024)

Cozy taco soup is the recipe you didn’t know you needed. One of the best easy soup recipes, this soup borrows much from classic chili, a forever favorite of ours, but makes it more taco-like with extra zippy seasonings, corn and chiles. It’s not quite as thick as chili, either; it’s more brothy like a soup.

The resulting taco soup is a delightful, hearty dish that works for lunch or dinner. It’s great for a family, solo diners (who love leftovers—it freezes well!) and functions. Find plenty of ideas for toppings, side dishes and customizations in our recipe, too.

Ingredients for Taco Soup

  • Ground beef: Ground beef makes an affordable, protein-rich base for this soup. Use any fat content you prefer, but know that you don’t have to go super lean since it’s cooking in a soup. A good 80/20 blend, meaning 80% lean meat to 20% fat content, is a good middle-ground ground beef for this soup.
  • Taco seasoning: Our recipe calls for a packet of store-bought taco seasoning, but you can also make homemade seasoning taco mix. Keep it handy for all of your other taco and/or spicing needs!
  • Chili and pinto beans: Two varieties of beans add filling protein to the soup. Black beans or other canned beans will also taste great in this recipe.
  • Canned corn: Sweet, crunchy canned corn is an easy, starchy vegetable in the soup. You can also use frozen corn if you like; no need to defrost.
  • Ranch dressing packet: A packet of powdered ranch seasoning adds a pleasant, unexpected tang to the spicy soup. It’s one of many recipes that start with ranch dressing mix, a sure-fire boost for extra flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the beef

In a Dutch oven, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Drain some or all of the excess fat.

Step 2: Season and cook

Add the taco seasoning to the beef and mix well. Stir in the water, beans, corn, tomatoes, optional chiles and ranch dressing mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes or until heated through.

Step 3: Serve and top bowls

Serve the soup. If desired, garnish bowls with sour cream and green onions. Find more topping ideas below.

Recipe Variations

  • Make chicken taco soup: Lighten up the soup by using ground chicken instead of beef. Ground turkey also works well.
  • Try creamy taco soup: Gild the lily with a decadent creamy taco soup. Add Velveeta and a cup of sour cream to the pot, stirring well, for a thick, incredibly rich broth.
  • Tweak the spice: Make taco soup milder by reducing or even skipping the green chiles, or using a can of plain diced tomatoes rather than tomatoes with chile. Alternatively, you can dial up the heat by adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your bowl or directly into the pot. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro is a bright finish.

How to Store Taco Soup

Store leftover taco soup in the refrigerator, sealed in an airtight container. It will keep for three to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How to Freeze Taco Soup

Follow our general tips for freezing soup: Allow the taco soup to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. You can also ladle single servings into freezer bags, seal tightly and freeze laid flat.

When you’re ready to eat it again, partially thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat it in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding broth if it’s thickened up.

Taco Soup Tips

What goes well with taco soup?

Classic taco toppings such as tortilla strips, shredded cheese, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and sour cream pair well with taco soup. You can also try offbeat taco toppings, such as pickled onions. As a bonus, everyone can top their own bowls with their favorites. For a side dish, try guacamole tossed salad or a zippy cabbage slaw. Warm corn tortillas make a nice dippable side as well.

How do you thicken taco soup?

You shouldn’t need to thicken this taco soup, since the meat and vegetables make it pretty chunky. However, if you like extra thick, rib-sticking soup, try adding refried beans, other mashed beans or rice to thicken it up.

Watch how to Make Simple Taco Soup

Simple Taco Soup

137 reviews

Prep Time25 min

Yield8 servings (about 2 quarts).

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1 can (16 ounces) mild chili beans, undrained
  • 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomato with green chiles
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, optional
  • 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
  • Optional: sour cream and green onions
Text Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. If desired, garnish with sour cream and green onions.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 370 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1369mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein.

Author

Kelsey Dimberg

A former in-house editor at Taste of Home, Kelsey now writes articles and novels from her home in Chicago. After going gluten-free more than a decade ago, Kelsey turned to home cooking and baking as a way to re-create her favorite foods. Her specialties include gluten-free sourdough bread, pizza and pastry.

Simple Taco Soup (1)

We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

Simple Taco Soup (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

Add Cornstarch or Flour

If you want to thicken up your taco soup quickly, cornstarch or flour could be your best friends. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch or flour with equal parts water in a small bowl until smooth.

What is tortilla soup made of? ›

Chicken tortilla soup actually is an authentic Mexican dish. The traditional soup is made with chicken broth, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chiles, and fried tortilla strips. There are also variations of the soup, like ones that include beans.

What is the ingredient that most soups begin with? ›

The base of your flavor in a soup comes from the vegetables and other ingredients you add at the beginning, called aromatics. The traditional flavor base in French and American soups is called mirepoix, a mix of diced onions, carrots, and celery in 2:1:1 proportion (twice as much onion as carrot or celery).

How long does taco soup last in the fridge? ›

To Store: Store soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after making. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. To Freeze: Allow creamy taco soup to cool completely. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How can I make my soup thicker and creamy? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice. ...
  7. 5 of the best soup recipes to try next:

What is a substitute for beef broth in taco soup? ›

What can I use as a beef broth substitute in soups and stews? In soups and stews, you can use a combination of water and soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to mimic the savory flavor of beef broth.

What is Mexican soup made of? ›

Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, is a light and flavorful soup made with homemade chicken broth, juicy shredded chicken thighs, and fresh vegetables including cabbage, carrots, and zucchini.

What are the most popular soups in Mexico? ›

What to eat in Mexico? Top 31 Mexican Soups
  • Soup. Sopa de lima. Yucatán. ...
  • Soup. Caldo de queso. Sonora. ...
  • Seafood Soup. Caldo de siete mares. MEXICO. ...
  • Meat Soup. Gallina pinta. Sonora. ...
  • Soup. Sopa de tortilla. MEXICO. ...
  • Stew. Red Pozole (Pozole rojo) MEXICO. ...
  • Vegetable Soup. Sopa de aguacate. MEXICO. ...
  • Seafood Soup. Caldo de camarón. MEXICO.

Can you use tortillas to thicken soup? ›

Corn tortillas, torn into small pieces, were used as the thickening agent. They thickened the soup beautifully and added a subtle, yet tasty addition to the soup. In case you are wondering, the tortillas simply 'dissolve' in the broth.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

What's the secret to a good soup? ›

To make sure that every spoonful of soup is richly flavored, with juicy meat and/or tender vegetables, follow these kitchen-tested tips.
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

Is it OK to leave taco soup out overnight? ›

Food should not be at room temperature for more than two hours. Shallow containers or small amounts of hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating. Cover foods to retain moisture and prevent them from picking up odors from other foods.

Is 5 day old soup ok to eat? ›

The FDA notes that cooked leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen two hours after preparation, and that leftovers should be eaten or thrown out four days after refrigeration.

Can you eat soup 3 days out of date? ›

Is Soup OK Out Of Date? In terms of safety, fresh soup that's a couple of days beyond its BBE should still be fine to eat, especially as you're going to heat it well.

What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

Incorporate Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another popular thickening agent that can be easily added to your chicken tortilla soup. Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry.

What is a good thickener for 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.

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.

Can you thicken soup without flour or cornstarch? ›

A handful of uncooked rice. That's all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in.

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