Hearty taco flavored soup (Print Version)

A savory blend of seasoned meat, beans, and veggies simmered to rich perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Pantry and Seasonings

08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
09 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, optional
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

12 - Shredded cheddar cheese
13 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
14 - Sliced jalapeños
15 - Chopped cilantro
16 - Tortilla chips or strips
17 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the taco seasoning and cumin; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the diced tomatoes with juices, corn, black beans, and broth. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of toppings. Serve hot with tortilla chips on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, so weeknight dinners stop feeling like a negotiation.
  • Every spoonful tastes like you've been simmering this all day, even though your actual effort was minimal.
  • The toppings let everyone build their own version, which means nobody complains about what's in their bowl.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the corn and beans—they release starch that clouds the broth and makes your soup look muddy instead of appetizing.
  • Tortilla chips go in at the last second or they turn into mush; add them to your own bowl right before eating so they stay crispy.
03 -
  • If your soup tastes flat even after seasoning, it probably needs acid—a squeeze of lime or a splash of vinegar will wake it right up.
  • Homemade taco seasoning tastes fresher than packets and costs basically nothing, so keep those spices in your cabinet and mix on the fly.
Go Back