Name: Easy Beef Taco Soup Recipe-Flavorful & Quick
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb. ground beef; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeño, chopped; 2 (14.5-oz.) cans fire-roasted tomatoes; 1 (1-oz.) packet taco seasoning; 1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles; 1 qt. chicken broth; 1 (15-oz.) can corn, drained; 1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed; 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed; Kosher salt, to taste; Sour cream, for serving; Fresh cilantro, for serving; Grated cheddar cheese, for serving

Taco Soup is the culinary hug you didn’t know you needed, a warm and comforting embrace on a chilly evening or a vibrant burst of flavor to brighten any day. If you’ve ever found yourself craving that perfect blend of Tex-Mex zest and hearty, satisfying goodness, then you’re in for a treat. What makes this Taco Soup so universally adored? It’s the way simple ingredients come together to create a symphony of taste and texture: tender ground meat, a medley of beans, sweet corn, and a rich, tomatoey broth, all infused with those iconic taco seasonings that send your taste buds into overdrive. It’s a dish that’s incredibly forgiving, allowing for personal tweaks and additions, making each batch uniquely yours. Prepare yourself for a truly delightful experience, because this Taco Soup is about to become your new go-to comfort food, promising an explosion of deliciousness in every spoonful.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, chopped (seeds removed for milder soup, left in for extra heat)
2 (14.5-oz.) cans fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (1-oz.) packet taco seasoning
1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles
1 qt. chicken broth
1 (15-oz.) can corn, drained
1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Kosher salt, to taste
Sour cream, for serving
Fresh cilantro, for serving
Grated cheddar cheese, for serving

Cooking the Base

Step 1: Browning the Beef and Aromatics

To begin extract our delicious Taco Soup, we’ll start by browning the ground beef. Grab a large pot or Dutch oven and place it over medium-high heat. Add the 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef to the hot pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s nicely browned and no pink remains. Once the beef is cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease to keep the soup from being too oily. This step is crucial for developing a rich flavor base. After draining, add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned beef. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onions have softened and become translucent. This will release their sweet fragrance and mellow out their sharpness.

Step 2: Introducing the Heat and Flavor Boosters

Now it’s time to add a little kick and a lot of flavor. Toss in your chopped jalapeño pepper. Remember, if you prefer a milder soup, you can remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño before chopping. For those who love a spicier soup, leave them in! Stir the jalapeño into the beef and onion mixture for about a minute, allowing its flavor to start infusing. Next, we’ll add the canned ingredients that form the heart of our Taco Soup. Pour in both cans of fire-roasted tomatoes, which will lend a smoky depth to the soup. Add the can of diced green chiles for another layer of mild, sweet heat. Finally, sprinkle in the entire packet of taco seasoning. Stir everything together well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Simmering the Soup

Step 3: Building the Liquid Foundation

With our flavor base established, it’s time to create the soup’s liquid foundation. Pour in the 1 quart of chicken broth. This broth will bring all the wonderful flavors together and create a hearty, comforting soup. Stir everything thoroughly, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that’s where a lot of flavor is hiding! Once the broth is added and everything is mixed, bring the mixture to a gentle boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. This simmering process is where the magic happens, allowing all the ingredients to meld and develop their full potential.

Step 4: Adding the Beans and Corn

After the soup has simmered for at least 15-20 minutes, it’s time to add the hearty elements that make this soup so satisfying. You’ve already drained and rinsed your 15-ounce can of pinto beans and your 15-ounce can of black beans. Adding them now ensures they soften and absorb the soup’s flavors without becoming mushy. Stir them in along with the drained can of corn. The corn adds a touch of sweetness and a lovely textural contrast to the beans and meat. Once you’ve added the beans and corn, stir everything together gently. Continue to simmer the soup, uncovered this time, for another 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld further and the soup to thicken slightly. Taste the soup during this stage and add kosher salt as needed. The amount of salt you’ll need will depend on the saltiness of your broth and taco seasoning.

Finishing Touches and Serving

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving Suggestions

As our Taco Soup nears completion, it’s time for the final seasoning adjustments. Give it another taste and add kosher salt if necessary. Remember, you can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away, so start with a little and build up. If you feel it needs a bit more zest, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can be added at this stage as well. Serve this wonderfully aromatic and flavorful Taco Soup hot. Ladle generous portions into bowls. Now for the best part – the toppings! Offer a dollop of cool, creamy sour cream to balance the heat. Sprinkle generously with fresh, chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness and vibrant green color. And of course, no Taco Soup is complete without a good handful of grated cheddar cheese, which melts beautifully into the hot soup, adding a rich, cheesy finish. You can also offer tortilla chips or even some crushed Fritos on the side for an extra crunch. Enjoy this incredibly easy yet incredibly satisfying Taco Soup!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – your delicious and hearty bowl of Taco Soup is ready to be enjoyed! This recipe is a fantastic way to bring a taste of the Southwest right into your kitchen, offering a complex flavor profile with satisfying textures that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, Taco Soup is sure to be a winner. We’ve explored the simple steps to bring this comforting dish to life, and the best part is its incredible versatility.

For serving suggestions, consider topping your Taco Soup with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips for an extra crunch, or even a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness. The possibilities are endless and allow you to customize each bowl to individual preferences.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! You can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, or even make it vegetarian by using black beans and corn as the protein base. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños.

We truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this wonderful Taco Soup. It’s a recipe designed for home cooks of all levels, proving that delicious and satisfying meals don’t have to be complicated. So gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones!

Frequently Asked Questions about Taco Soup:

Can I make Taco Soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! Taco Soup is actually even better when made ahead of time, as the flavors have more time to meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened too much.

How can I make Taco Soup spicier?

There are several ways to add more heat to your Taco Soup. You can include diced jalapeños or serrano peppers along with the other vegetables. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix will also increase the spice level. For a deeper, more complex heat, consider using a spicier blend of taco seasoning.