Indulge in a fiesta of flavors with our zesty Taco Soup Recipe! Bursting with savory ground beef, hearty beans, sweet corn, and tangy tomatoes, each spoonful is a tantalizing adventure for your taste buds. Infused with traditional Tex-Mex spices and topped with crispy tortilla strips, this soul-warming bowl promises to transport you to the bustling streets of Mexico City. Get ready to savor the essence of Texan comfort in every delicious bite!
Do you want to know how to make the best taco soup? If you do, this article will be perfect for you. We know how hard it is to find a good recipe online.
There are hoards of fantastic options, but wading through hundreds of recipes can be difficult. It is for this reason that we have written this article.
We will go over everything you need to know about making the best and most delicious Beef Taco Soup. From what ingredients you need to what steps to follow and more.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and start!
What Is Taco Soup?
Taco Soup is a culinary fusion that marries the bold flavors of a classic taco with the comforting warmth of soup.
Think ground meat—be it beef, chicken, or turkey—simmered to perfection with aromatic spices, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes.
The result is a hearty, flavorful broth that captures the essence of a taco in liquid form. This dish is quick, easy to prepare, and versatile, allowing countless variations to suit any palate. A one-pot wonder, Taco Soup is the epitome of comfort food.
Can You Vary The Recipe With Other Ingredients?
- Keto Skip the beans and corn to reduce carbs. Add avocado or a dollop of full-fat sour cream for healthy fats.
- Paleo Omit beans corn, and substitute dairy with a paleo-friendly cream like coconut cream. Use grass-fed beef for protein.
- Gluten-Free Ensure your taco seasoning is gluten-free, or make your own at home to be certain.
- Whole30 Use organic meat, skip beans, and corn, and ensure your broth and seasoning are Whole30 compliant.
- Vegetarian Swap ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or increase the quantity of beans.
- Vegan Replace the meat with a vegan alternative and use vegetable broth. Add a range of veggies like bell peppers and zucchini for added texture and nutrients.
Recipe Directions
- Chop and Sauté Onions: In a heated pot with oil, sauté chopped onions until soft.
- Sauté Garlic and Cook Beef: Add minced garlic and ground beef. Brown the beef.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in taco seasoning.
- Add Veggies and Beans: Mix corn, pinto beans, cilantro, tomatoes, and bay leaves.
- Pour Broth and Simmer: Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve: Remove bay leaves, serve hot, and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings
Variations
- Cheesy Taco Soup: Add cheddar or Mexican blend cheese into the broth for a creamy texture.
- Spicy Version: Introduce a diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce for a fiery kick.
- Seafood Twist: Replace ground meat with shrimp or fish for a pescatarian take.
Add-Ons
- Rice: Serve over brown or white rice for a more filling meal.
- Quinoa: A healthier grain alternative that absorbs the soup flavors well.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado adds a creamy contrast and healthy fats.
Toppings
- Sour Cream: A dollop adds creaminess and cools down the spice.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime elevates the freshness.
- Shredded Cheese: Mexican blend, cheddar, or even feta work well.
- Chopped Scallions or Green Onions: For a burst of sharpness and color.
Can I Make Taco Soup In A Slow Cooker Or Instant Pot?
Slow Cooker
- Preparation: Sauté onions, garlic, and ground beef in a pan before transferring to the slow cooker.
- Cooking: Add all other ingredients except for delicate items like cilantro and dairy-based toppings.
- Time: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Instant Pot
- Preparation: Use the sauté function for onions, garlic, and beef directly in the pot.
- Cooking: Add remaining ingredients, secure the lid, and set to manual high pressure.
- Time: Cook for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.
Can I Use Store Bought Broth, Or Should I Make My Own?
Store-Bought Broth
- Convenience: It’s quick and easy, especially when you’re short on time.
- Consistency: The flavor is standardized, so you know what you’re getting.
- Variety: You can easily find different types like chicken, beef, or vegetable.
Homemade Broth
- Flavor Control: You can adjust seasonings to your specific liking.
- Quality: No preservatives or artificial flavors.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilize leftover bones and vegetable scraps.
- Time-Intensive: Requires hours of simmering.
How To Serve ?
- Temperature: Ensure the soup is piping hot when served. A pre-warmed bowl can make a difference.
- Toppings Bar: Offer a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped scallions, and sliced jalapeños so guests can customize their bowls.
- Tortilla Chips: Serve with a side of tortilla chips for added crunch, or crumble them on top as a garnish.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro adds color and flavor.
- Lime Wedges: A quick squeeze of lime can brighten up the flavors.
- Individual Portions: Serve in bowls to make it easy for everyone to enjoy their personalized creation.
Perfect Side Dishes
- Cornbread: A slice of warm, buttery cornbread complements the soup’s hearty flavors.
- Guacamole: Creamy guacamole can coolly contrast the soup’s spiciness.
- Cilantro Lime Rice: The zesty and aromatic notes balance the soup’s complexity well.
- Grilled Vegetables: Offer a healthier side with a medley of grilled peppers, onions, and zucchini.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can lighten the meal.
- Quesadillas: Cheese or chicken quesadillas serve as a more filling side option.
- Salsa and Chips: For dipping, offer various salsas, from mild to hot.
Storage And Make Ahead
- Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer-term storage.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the soup in advance and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to serve.
- Labeling: Clearly label containers with the date of preparation to track freshness.
- Toppings: Store any additional toppings separately to maintain their freshness.
What Can We Do With Leftovers?
- Burrito Filling: Reduce the liquid and use the meat and bean mixture for burritos or enchiladas.
- Taco Salad: Serve it cold or reheat over a bed of lettuce, adding fresh veggies and tortilla chips for crunch.
- Stuffed Peppers: Use the soup as a hearty filling for bell peppers, bake until tender, and top with cheese.
- Pasta Sauce: Add a tomato base and let the mixture simmer down to use as an unconventional pasta sauce.
- Rice Bowl: Serve it over a bowl of rice or quinoa, topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime.
- Shepherd’s Pie: Use as a base layer in a shepherd’s pie, topped with mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Tostadas: Spread it over a baked tortilla, top with cheese, and broil for a few minutes.
- Breakfast Hash: Mix it with scrambled eggs and potatoes for a spicy breakfast hash.
Tips
- Layer Flavors: Sauté onions and garlic before adding other ingredients for a flavorful base.
- Seasoning Balance: Adjust taco seasoning and other spices to taste, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.
- Texture Variety: Add beans, corn, and diced tomatoes for a variety of textures, enhancing the soup’s appeal.
- Simmer Slowly: Allow the soup to simmer on low heat to meld flavors and develop depth.
- Garnish Galore: Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla strips for added texture and freshness.
Taco Soup Recipe – A Mexican Cuisine Of Bold Flavors
Course: Soup RecipesServings
4
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
35
minutesCalories
300
kcalTaco Soup fuses the bold flavors of a classic taco into a comforting, one-pot meal. Hearty ground beef, beans, and corn simmer in a savory broth, making every spoonful a taste of fiesta.
Ingredients
1 Pound 1 Ground Beef
1 1 Large Onion (Chopped)
2 2 Garlic Cloves ( Minced)
2 Tablespoons 2 Taco Seasoning
1 Can 1 Pinto Beans
1 Can 1 Can of Corn
1 Can 1 Fire-Roasted Tomatoes (Chopped)
1 or 2 1 or 2 Bay Leaves
16 Ounces 16 Chicken Broth
2 Tablespoons 2 Cilantro (Fresh And Chopped)
1 Pinch 1 Salt
1 Pinch 1 Pepper
Step-By-Step Directions
- Step 1 – Chop And Sauté The Onions
The first thing you need to do is chop up your onion. Please ensure the pieces are nice and small before you toss them in a heated pot with a dash of oil.
Sauté your onions until the onions are soft and caramelized. - Step 2 – Sauté The Garlic And Cook The Ground Beef
Prepare your garlic and chop it into small pieces. You can also use a garlic crusher if you prefer. Once the garlic has been chopped, add it to the pan and sauté them.
Add your ground beef to the same pan once soft and a little brown. Using a spoon or spatula, break the beef into small pieces as it cooks and turns brown. - Step 3 – Add The Taco Seasoning
Once your beef has been browned evenly, add the taco seasoning. Stir the contents of the pot until everything has been mixed in.
Once everything is nicely cooked through, you can move on to the next step. - Step 4 – Add Corn, Tomatoes, Cilantro, Beans, And Bay Leaves
Once your meat is cooked, add a can of pinto beans, sweet corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, two bay leaves, and about two tablespoons of fresh cilantro.
Stir everything until it has adequately combined. - Step 5 – Add Chicken Broth And Let Simmer
Once your other ingredients have heated through, add about sixteen ounces of chicken broth with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir it in and then allow the soup to cook for about twenty minutes. - Step 6 – Take Out The Bay Leaves And Serve
With that, all left is to take out your bay leaves and serve your delicious taco soup.
Scoop your soup into a bowl and add your toppings of choice. This is a delightful dish and one you are bound to love! - Equipment List
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Garlic Press
- Ladle
- Canned Goods Opener
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Freezer-Safe Containers
Notes
- In this section, we aim to make your life a lot easier. Can we do that? Yes! All it takes is the know-how and a few hints and tips. Which is what we are going to go over in this section.
- For one, taco soup can be made from scratch for thirty minutes. This is the perfect choice if you need a quick and easy recipe.
- Pro tip, This soup will taste better if you leave it to sit for a while. If you want to make a soup that you can keep and eat through the week, this one will keep for a while and taste even better.
- If you like extra spicy meals, add a little more taco seasoning or even add a few ancho chilies, jalapeños, or any other chili you like.
- Regular tomatoes can easily take the place of fire-roasted tomatoes. So, if you don’t have any fire-roasted tomatoes on hand, you should always be able to find something to use as a substitute.
- Simple, plain tomatoes can taste just as good, but the soup will lack the subtle flavor it would have had with fire-roasted tomatoes.
- This soup can be changed a lot to suit your preferences. So, no matter what veggies you have in the kitchen, you should be able to make this soup perfectly and to your liking.
- We like to add zucchini to this soup, and it is divine! But you can put any veggies in it that you like.
- If you don’t have any canned corn in your local stores or at home, you can always use frozen corn instead. It tastes just as good, and you will almost always be able to get some at your local store.
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