Warm, comforting, and full of bold flavor, this Easy Taco Soup is the perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines lean ground beef, beans, corn, and zesty taco seasoning for a hearty, satisfying dish that’s as simple as it is delicious. Great for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Taco Soup
If you love quick dinners that taste like they’ve been simmering all day, this Easy Taco Soup will be your new favorite. It’s made in just one pot, which means easy cleanup and maximum flavor. The mix of ground beef, bell peppers, beans, corn, and tomatoes creates a hearty, slightly spicy broth that warms you up instantly.
This recipe is family-friendly andIf you love quick dinners that taste like they’ve been simmering all day, this Easy Taco Soup will be your new favorite. It’s made in just one pot, which means easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
The mix of ground beef, bell peppers, beans, corn, and tomatoes creates a hearty, slightly spicy broth that warms you up instantly. It’s cozy, flavorful, and satisfying without being heavy.
This recipe is also family-friendly and perfect for weeknights when you need something simple but comforting. You can easily adjust the spice level — add jalapeños for extra heat or keep it mild for the kids.
It’s high in protein, filling, and lighter than chili, so it hits that perfect balance between comfort and nutrition.
Plus, this soup freezes beautifully. You can make a big batch, portion it out, and have ready-to-heat meals for busy days. It’s great for meal prep lunches, too. No matter how you serve it, Easy Taco Soup always feels like a win. perfect for weeknights when you want something cozy without spending hours in the kitchen. You can easily adjust the spice level to your liking, add jalapeños for heat, or keep it mild for the kids. It’s high in protein, filling, and lighter than chili, making it a perfect balance between comfort and nutrition.
Plus, this soup freezes beautifully. You can make a big batch, portion it out, and have ready-to-heat meals for busy days. It’s also great for meal prep lunches. No matter how you serve it, Easy Taco Soup always feels like a win.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes this Easy Taco Soup both simple and flavorful.
Ground beef: Lean ground beef adds a rich, meaty flavor and plenty of protein. You can swap it for turkey or chicken if you want something lighter.
Olive oil: Just a tablespoon helps brown the beef and veggies evenly.
Onion and bell peppers: These add sweetness, crunch, and color to every bite.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brings that deep, savory aroma everyone loves.
Taco seasoning: This is where the magic happens. It ties everything together with bold, Mexican-inspired flavor. Use homemade or store-bought — both work great.
Beans: Pinto or kidney beans make the soup hearty and satisfying.
Corn: Adds texture and a touch of natural sweetness.
Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes or Rotel give the soup a tangy kick and extra zest.
Beef broth: Brings all the flavors together in a warm, brothy base.
Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you can whip this soup up anytime. Feel free to experiment with black beans, rotisserie chicken, or leftover vegetables for an easy twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Beef and Vegetables
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and chopped bell peppers. Cook until the beef is nicely browned and the vegetables soften. Drain any excess fat to keep the soup light.
Add Seasoning and Aromatics
Next, stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for about a minute until the aroma fills the kitchen. This quick step deepens the flavor beautifully.
Simmer the Soup
Add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir well to combine. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer covered for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend together perfectly.
Taste and Adjust
Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more taco seasoning for spice or salt and pepper if needed.
This recipe makes 6 servings and takes only 30 minutes from start to finish. Each serving has about 267 calories, 22g protein, 22g carbs, and 11g fat for a balanced, hearty bowl of comfort.
Tips for the Best Taco Soup
Brown your meat thoroughly for the richest flavor. Use fresh vegetables for a brighter taste. For extra heat, toss in jalapeños or finish with a few drops of hot sauce. If you prefer a thicker consistency, reduce the broth slightly or mash some of the beans before simmering.
Want it milder? Just use less taco seasoning. This soup is flexible and forgiving, which makes it great for home cooks of any level. Also, don’t skip the toppings because that’s where the fun begins.
Tasty Toppings and Serving Ideas
Taco Soup is all about personalization. Top each bowl with sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, green onions, or tortilla chips. A squeeze of lime adds brightness that cuts through the richness.
Pair it with cornbread for a Southern twist, a crisp green salad for balance, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of broth. Kids love building their own bowls, so make it a family taco night with soup instead of shells.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily make this soup your own. Swap beef for ground turkey, chicken, or shredded rotisserie chicken. Use pinto, black, or kidney beans, all work beautifully.
Fresh or canned tomatoes both taste great, and Rotel adds a nice kick. Add cooked rice, quinoa, or zucchini for a heartier meal. For a low-carb version, skip the beans and starchy toppings but keep the flavorful broth. This flexibility makes it a recipe you’ll go back to again and again.
Make-Ahead, Storage and Reheating Tips
Let the soup cool completely before storing. Keep it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. For easy lunches, portion it into single servings.
To reheat, warm it on the stove over medium heat until hot or microwave it in a covered bowl. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge or heat straight from frozen in a saucepan. The texture and flavor hold up beautifully every time.
Slow Cooker and Meal Prep Options
Want to use your slow cooker? Brown the meat and veggies first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
This soup is also ideal for meal prep. Cook once and portion into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches all week. It reheats perfectly and tastes even better the next day.
Taco Soup vs. Chili – What’s the Difference?
Taco soup and chili share similar ingredients, but the texture and flavor are totally different. Taco soup is lighter, brothier, and zesty thanks to taco seasoning. Chili is thicker, richer, and more tomato-heavy.
Taco soup feels fresh and punchy, while chili is deep and cozy. Both are satisfying, but taco soup is perfect when you want comfort without heaviness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in taco soup?
Ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning create the signature flavor.
What are the ingredients in 7 can taco soup?
That version uses canned beans, corn, tomatoes, Rotel, and broth, no fresh prep needed.
How to make an easy taco soup?
Brown beef, add seasoning, then simmer with beans, corn, tomatoes, and broth. Ready in 30 minutes.
What makes chicken taco soup so tasty?
Shredded chicken, broth, and taco seasoning make it flavorful yet light.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- hearty one-pot lasagna soup
- creamy roasted butternut squash soup
- comforting sausage pasta soup
- classic French onion soup
- spicy and healthy black bean soup
- cozy creamy vegetable soup
Conclusion
This Easy Taco Soup is everything you want in a quick, cozy meal with bold flavor, simple ingredients, and endless ways to customize. It’s perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or when you just need something warm and satisfying.
Make a pot tonight and top it your way. Then share your favorite combo or tag your creation online. For more quick and tasty comfort food inspiration, visit my Pinterest board and save this recipe for later.
Easy Taco Soup
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven For cooking the soup
- Wooden spoon For stirring ingredients
- Knife and cutting board For chopping vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 0.5 red bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 16 oz can beans (kidney or pinto), drained
- 1 cup corn (canned, fresh, or frozen)
- 1.5 cups diced tomatoes or Rotel
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and bell peppers. Cook until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic and taco seasoning. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in beans, corn, tomatoes, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, covered.
- Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
