This easy taco soup recipe is perfect for a quick and hearty meal that will satisfy your cravings for a warm and flavorful dish. It's packed with savory ingredients and spices that come together to create a delicious, comforting soup.
Photos of Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Some ingredients in this recipe, like rotel tomatoes and green chile peppers, might not be staples in your pantry. These items can usually be found in the canned goods section of your supermarket. Make sure to grab a good quality taco seasoning mix to enhance the flavors of your soup.
Ingredients For Easy Taco Soup Recipe
ground beef: Provides a rich and hearty base for the soup.
onion: Adds essential flavor and a bit of sweetness once sautéed.
pinto beans: Gives the soup a creamy texture and extra protein.
rotel tomatoes: A mix of diced tomatoes and green chilies that add spice and tang.
tomato sauce: Thickens the soup and deepens the tomato flavor.
green chile peppers: Brings a mild heat and unique flavor.
beef broth: Enhances the soup's depth and richness.
frozen corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and texture.
green pepper: Introduces a fresh, crisp element.
taco seasoning mix: A blend of spices that delivers the classic taco flavor.
One reader, Harwilll Oliver says:
This easy taco soup recipe is fantastic! It's quick to make, full of flavor, and perfect for a cozy dinner. The combination of ingredients creates a delicious, hearty meal that my whole family loves. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Taco Soup
How to brown ground beef: Cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon until it is fully browned and no pink remains. How to drain excess fat: After browning the ground beef, carefully tilt the pot to one side and use a spoon to remove the excess fat, or pour the contents into a colander to drain. How to bring to a boil: Increase the heat to high until the liquid in the pot starts to bubble vigorously. How to simmer: Reduce the heat to low or medium-low so that the liquid is just gently bubbling.
How To Make Easy Taco Soup
This bowl of hearty taco soup is loaded with tasty beans, tender beef, and juicy tomatoes. Serve this 30-minute meal up for dinner tonight!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lbground beef
- 1onion
- 16ozpinto beans,drained and rinsed
- 10ozrotel tomatoes
- 8oztomato sauce
- 4ozgreen chile peppers
- 2cupsbeef broth
- ¾cupfrozen corn
- ⅓cupgreen pepper,or ½ small green pepper
- taco seasoning mix,1 package
Instructions
-
In a large pot, brown the ground beef with the onion until no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
-
Add the pinto beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chile peppers, beef broth, frozen corn, green pepper, and taco seasoning to the pot.
-
Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
-
Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 494.59kcal
- Fat: 13.40g
- Saturated Fat: 4.65g
- Trans Fat: 0.67g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.51g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.13g
- Carbohydrates: 70.23g
- Fiber: 13.08g
- Sugar: 8.42g
- Protein: 28.31g
- Cholesterol: 40.26mg
- Sodium: 305.34mg
- Calcium: 98.23mg
- Potassium: 1591.09mg
- Iron: 5.28mg
- Vitamin A: 44.91µg
- Vitamin C: 45.63mg
Helpful Technique for Preparing Taco Soup
To enhance the flavor of your ground beef, consider seasoning it with a pinch of salt and pepper while browning. This will help to build a deeper, more robust taste profile in your taco soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Easy Taco Soup
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion and green pepper in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned pinto beans to save time on soaking and cooking.
Frozen corn: Utilize frozen corn instead of fresh to skip the shucking and cutting.
Pre-made taco seasoning: Use a taco seasoning mix instead of making your own blend.
One-pot cooking: Cook everything in one large pot to minimize cleanup time.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Taco Soup Recipe
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter taste compared to onions.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and can add a slightly different but complementary flavor.
rotel tomatoes - Substitute with diced tomatoes with green chilies: This combination mimics the flavor and spice level of Rotel tomatoes.
tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a similar consistency and rich tomato flavor.
green chile peppers - Substitute with jalapeño peppers: Jalapeño peppers offer a similar heat level and can be used fresh or canned.
beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth is a lighter alternative that still adds depth of flavor.
frozen corn - Substitute with canned corn: Canned corn is a convenient option and has a similar taste and texture.
green pepper - Substitute with red bell pepper: Red bell peppers are sweeter and add a vibrant color to the dish.
taco seasoning mix - Substitute with homemade taco seasoning: Combining spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder can replicate the flavor of store-bought taco seasoning.
Presentation Ideas for Taco Soup
Serve in a shallow, wide bowl: This allows the taco soup to be spread out, showcasing all the vibrant colors and textures of the ingredients.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro or parsley on top to enhance the visual appeal and add a burst of freshness.
Add a dollop of sour cream: Place a small dollop of sour cream in the center of the soup. This adds a creamy texture and a contrasting color.
Top with crispy tortilla strips: Lightly fry some corn tortillas cut into thin strips until crispy. Scatter these on top of the soup for added crunch and visual interest.
Include a lime wedge: Place a small wedge of lime on the side of the bowl. This not only adds a pop of color but also allows diners to add a fresh squeeze of citrus to their soup.
Drizzle with avocado crema: Prepare a simple avocado crema by blending avocado, sour cream, and a touch of lime juice. Drizzle this over the soup for a luxurious finish.
Serve with a side of warm tortillas: Offer a small stack of warm corn tortillas or flour tortillas on the side, wrapped in a clean cloth to keep them warm.
Use a contrasting plate: Place the bowl on a large, dark-colored plate to make the vibrant colors of the taco soup stand out even more.
Sprinkle with cheese: Lightly sprinkle some finely grated cheddar cheese or cotija cheese over the top for an extra layer of flavor and a touch of elegance.
Add a touch of heat: For those who enjoy a bit of spice, place a small jalapeño slice or a few red pepper flakes on top of the soup.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Taco Soup
Large pot: Used for browning the ground beef and cooking the soup. It needs to be big enough to hold all the ingredients.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ground beef and mixing the ingredients in the pot.
Cutting board: Necessary for chopping the onion and green pepper.
Chef's knife: Essential for finely chopping the onion and green pepper.
Measuring cups: Used for measuring the beef broth, frozen corn, and any other ingredients that need precise quantities.
Can opener: Required for opening the cans of pinto beans, rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, and green chile peppers.
Colander: Useful for draining any excess fat from the browned ground beef.
Ladle: Perfect for serving the soup into bowls once it's ready.
Stovetop: Needed to heat the pot and cook the soup.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Taco Soup
- Allow the taco soup to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
- When ready to reheat, transfer the desired portion to a pot and heat over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water to thin out the soup if it has thickened during storage.
- For freezing, transfer the cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Be sure to leave some headspace at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification later.
- Taco soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reheat frozen taco soup, first thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, transfer the thawed soup to a pot and heat over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a bit of broth or water to adjust the consistency if needed.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the frozen soup directly in the pot. Place the frozen soup in a pot over low heat and allow it to thaw and heat slowly, stirring occasionally. This method may take longer, but it's a convenient option if you forget to thaw the soup ahead of time.
How To Reheat Leftover Taco Soup
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover taco soup to a pot and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the soup is evenly reheated without burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot. If the soup appears too thick, you can add a splash of beef broth or water to thin it out.
Microwave method: pour the leftover taco soup into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup is heated through. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it may be hot. This method is quick and convenient, but it may result in uneven heating.
Slow cooker method: if you have a large amount of leftover taco soup, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the soup to the slow cooker and set it on low heat for 1-2 hours, or until it reaches the desired temperature. This method is ideal for keeping the soup warm for an extended period, making it perfect for potlucks or gatherings.
Oven method: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the leftover taco soup into an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the soup is heated through. Stir the soup occasionally to ensure even heating. This method is suitable if you want to reheat a large batch of soup and keep it warm in the oven until ready to serve.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to stir the taco soup well to distribute the heat evenly and prevent any cold spots. Additionally, taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed, as flavors may have mellowed during storage. If desired, garnish the reheated soup with fresh toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Interesting Fact About Taco Soup
A random fact about this taco soup recipe is that it can be easily customized to suit different tastes. You can add toppings like sour cream, cheese, avocado, or tortilla chips to enhance the flavor and texture.
Is Making Taco Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This taco soup recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, and frozen corn, it provides a hearty meal without breaking the bank. The combination of tomato sauce and green chile peppers adds flavor without needing expensive spices. Overall verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $12-$15 USD.
Is This Taco Soup Recipe Healthy?
This taco soup recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. Let's break it down:
Healthy ingredients:
- Pinto beans: High in fiber, protein, and various nutrients
- Tomatoes and tomato sauce: Rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and other antioxidants
- Green chile peppers and green pepper: Good sources of vitamin C and other nutrients
- Onion: Contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties
Less healthy ingredients:
- Ground beef: High in saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease if consumed in excess
- Taco seasoning mix: May contain high amounts of sodium and preservatives
While this recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, the presence of high-fat ground beef and potentially high-sodium taco seasoning mix may make it less healthy overall.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the ground beef with lean ground turkey or a plant-based alternative like crumbled tofu or lentils
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning or make your own seasoning blend using spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika
- Increase the amount of vegetables by adding more green peppers, carrots, or zucchini
- Opt for low-sodium beef broth or use vegetable broth instead
- Serve the soup with a side salad or other nutrient-dense vegetables to balance out the meal
By making these adjustments, you can enhance the nutritional value of the taco soup while still enjoying its comforting flavors.
Editor's Opinion on This Taco Soup Recipe
This taco soup recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick and hearty meal. The combination of ground beef, pinto beans, and green chile peppers creates a robust base, while the rotel tomatoes and beef broth add depth. The inclusion of frozen corn and green pepper provides a nice crunch and sweetness. The use of taco seasoning ties everything together with a familiar, comforting taste. Overall, it's a simple yet satisfying dish that can be easily customized with toppings like cheese, sour cream, or avocado for added richness.
Enhance Your Easy Taco Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Easy Taco Soup
Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Taco Soup
Why trust this Easy Taco Soup Recipe:
This easy taco soup recipe is a tried-and-true favorite, perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, and rotel tomatoes, it delivers a burst of flavor in every bite. The addition of green chile peppers and taco seasoning gives it an authentic Mexican taste. Plus, it's quick to prepare and requires minimal cleanup. Trust this recipe for a hearty, comforting meal that your whole family will love.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Easy Taco Soup with Ground Beef Recipe
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Chicken Burrito Recipe
Quick and Easy Pretzel Bites with Nutella® Dipping Sauce Recipe
Chicken Rice Soup Recipe
Copycat Panda Express String Bean Chicken Breast Recipe
Peach and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe
Copycat Panda Express Mixed Veggies Recipe
Homemade Cream Puffs Recipe
