This taco soup recipe is an easy weeknight meal that is packed with flavor!

Lean ground beef is perfectly seasoned and simmered with tomatoes, onions, beans, and a handful of Tex-Mex-inspired veggies.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe in bowls

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This easy Taco Soup recipe combines two of my favorite things: ground beef tacos and belly-warming soup! 

You’ll Be Making Taco Soup On Repeat Because…

  • Your entire family will LOVE this recipe.
  • It’s so fast and needs just one pot— less mess and fewer dishes to wash.
  • Uses simple ingredients and pantry staples.
  • It’s a great way to stretch a pound of ground beef to feed a crowd!
  • This soup welcomes add-ins like veggies.
taco soup ingredients

Simple Ingredients, Amazing Taco Soup!

  • Beef: I use lean ground beef, but you can also substitute ground turkey or ground/chopped chicken.
  • Corn: Frozen corn adds bulk and nutrition. Use drained canned corn or cut the kernels off leftover grilled corn on cob.
  • Beans: Canned beans cook quickly and are an inexpensive way to add fiber and make this soup filling. While any kind of beans work, I prefer pinto or black beans in this recipe.
  • Green Chiles: I always have a couple of cans of mild green chilies on hand. They add great flavor to any Tex-Mex dish. You can also substitute a chopped bell pepper.
  • Broth: Beef broth is the base, while tomato sauce and Rotel tomatoes add zesty flavor and a touch of heat.
  • Seasonings are simple. Homemade taco seasoning is a favorite for this recipe but a store-bought packet works just as well.

Variations

  • Add your own favorite spices—try chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder.
  • I love to add bell peppers or chopped zucchini to stretch the soup even further.
  • Add some heat with extra jalapenos or hot sauce.
taco soup ingredients in a pot

How to Make Taco Soup

Taco Soup simmers for about 15 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal (and a great way to use up leftover taco meat)!

  1. Brown ground beef in a large saucepan with onion. Drain any fat.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients (recipe below) to the pot and stir.
  3. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.

Season with salt & pepper, a squeeze of lime, and some cilantro.

Stretch This Meal Further

If you’d like to stretch a pound of ground beef a little further, you can double the broth and seasonings and add extra diced tomatoes and veggies.

Add a bit of cooked rice (or instant rice) or a handful of pasta.

taco soup in a pot

Toppings for Taco Soup

Taco Soup can be served with a bun or a slice of bread, tortilla chips, tortillas, and cheddar cheese.

Top it with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream (or Greek yogurt), homemade salsa avocado, green onion, jalapeno, or tomatoes.

Leftovers & Storage

Fridge: This soup will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Freezer: Place cooled soup in freezer bags in individual portions. This makes it easy to take one out for lunch or several out for a family meal!

bowls of taco soup

More Easy Soup Recipes

A hearty soup is always a belly warming favorite. Here are more easy soup recipes with a little TexMex flair— including a slow cooker must make!

Did you enjoy this Taco Soup? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
bowls of taco soup
5 from 161 votes

Taco Soup Recipe

Servings 4 servings
Taco soup is a hearty, flavorful dish filled with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes, perfect for topping with cheese and sour cream.
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef 80/20
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
  • 16 ounces canned pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 4 ounces canned mild green chiles diced, or additional green bell pepper
  • ¾ cup frozen corn kernels
  • ½ green bell pepper diced
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet, or 2 tablespoons homemade

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until no pink remains, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
  • Add broth, beans, Rotel tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, green chiles, broth, corn, green pepper, and taco seasoning. Stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened and the vegetables are tender.

Video

Notes

Ground beef can be replaced with ground chicken or turkey.
This soup is great served with a topping bar. Add cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, green onions, and sliced jalapenos, and let everyone dress their own bowl.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop.  Freeze in individual portions or in a zippered bag for up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat on the stovetop. 
5 from 161 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1.65cups | Calories: 419 | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1404mg | Potassium: 1601mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1197IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine American, Tex Mex
plated Easy Taco Soup Recipe with sour cream and a title
thick and hearty Easy Taco Soup Recipe with writing
Easy Taco Soup Recipe with sour cream and cheese with writing
Easy Taco Soup Recipe in the pot and in bowls with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

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5 from 161 votes (124 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Sounds yummy. I was wondering if you could cook the ground beef and onion then cook it the rest of the way in the crock pot?5 stars

  2. WE LOVE THIS RECIPE !!! I have made it several times now just as it is written it is delicious. definitely a keeper.

  3. I made this soup so so good. My daughter and family loves it. I did not drain anything, just dumped in crock pot . It was delicious ❤️

  4. Love all the previews I’ve seen. Can’t wait to try them. Iv made similar however as good as “I” thought it was I can see just the presentation itself is awesome!

    1. Yummy! I browned 2 lbs. of ground beef, added a 28 ou. can of fire roasted crushed tomatoes, another small can of tomatoes with chilies and a small can of fire roasted tomatoes w/chipotle peppers, and taco seasoning mix. Just enough heat for us…mild with a kick! Froze individual servings for chilly fall days!5 stars

  5. I made this last night and it was yummy and very easy to make. Thank you Holly for all your wonderful recipes.5 stars

  6. This recipe is so easy to follow and the soup turned out delicious! My husband was a big fan of it!5 stars

  7. Absolutely love this quick and easy recipe. Made it for my fiancé and it’s now one of his favorite dinners!

    1. Hi Arianna, yes, add the seasoning to the soup, not the meat. I hope you enjoy the taco soup when you make it!