Best Taco Soup Recipe – Easy One Pot Meal

Pairing the best of both worlds – tacos and soup – in this easy taco soup recipe which will have your family asking for seconds. Taking less than 30 minutes from prep to bowl, this recipe is a family favorite!

This taco soup recipe makes an appearance on our meal plan at least once a month (especially during the colder seasons). It is a ‘stick to your bones’ kind of meal, but without the feeling of being weighed down.

Filled with hearty ingredients like meat, beans and bone broth, this nutrient rich dish is one soup recipe you will not want to miss. And did we mention this taco soup recipe costs less than $2 per serving? So let’s dive in, shall we?

What ingredients are in Taco Soup?

• Meat – Meat is the staple of this dish. We prefer to use ground beef, though you could use any type of ground meat. Alternatively you could use shredded chicken, if you like. We have tried this recipe with ground beef, ground lamb, ground chicken, shredded chicken and ground turkey. Try swapping out beef for whatever meat is your favorite, needs to be eaten first, or is the cheapest at the grocery store. When utilizing ground beef from a local cow share, we do not drain the meat as it is quite lean. Depending on the ratio of your meat, you may also choose to forgo draining the meat before adding the rest of the ingredients.
• Onion – There is something about onions and meat which tastes decadent when the flavors meld together! Take your pick on which type of onion. We tend to use a yellow or white onion as we find it has the best flavor without overpowering the rest of the dish.
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes – Tomatoes add a slight acidity within this dish. If you have a fire roasted tomato option, a slight grilled flavor will come through the dish, adding to the overall heartiness. Diced tomatoes with chilies also works well! For this recipe the entire can is poured in, juices and all. Or, if you have fresh gardens from the tomato, dice them up and toss them in. For fresh tomatoes, feel free to crush a few to enhance the juices prior to cooking. You can also use rotel tomatoes and even a tablespoon of tomato sauce or tomato paste.
• Corn – Corn is completely optional within this taco soup recipe. We tend to use a smaller can of corn we are not huge corn fans. Feel free to use canned, frozen or freshly grilled corn within this recipe.
• Chilies, Peppers or Jalapeños – To add a little spice (and a ton of flavor) to this recipe, add green chilies, green peppers or jalapeños! We personally enjoy fresh peppers from the garden, though we use both canned and frozen.
• Beans – Beans and rice go with tacos like a match made in heaven. Included within this taco soup recipe is a can of undrained black beans, though kidney beans, pinto beans or chili beans also work well. If your family is sensitive to beans, optionally rinse the beans before adding them to the soup.
• Broth – The type of broth utilized within this recipe can change based on the type or meat (or lack there of) used within this recipe. Interchange beef broth, chicken broth, turkey broth, bone broth or vegetable broth accordingly. If you are in a pinch and do not have any broth, simply add an extra bay leaf and a cup of water. Do not forget to remove the bay leaf before eating!
• Potatoes – All types of potatoes work well within this recipe. We grew white potatoes and red potatoes in the garden this year. Russet, yellow and even sweet potatoes also work well.
• Spices – You can not go wrong with spices in a taco soup. Cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder and lime juice, are all great options! Some taco soup recipes even call for a ranch seasoning packet. While this is not something we utilize in our regular taco soup recipe, it does add an interesting tangy flavor to the dish. For extra flavor, we will dip regular Doritos into the dish instead of taco chips if we need more ‘spice’.
• Toppings – The toppings for taco soup are endless! We use our favorite taco toppings for this soup including sour cream, avocado, red onion/yellow onion/green onions, bell peppers, guacamole, cilantro, mexican cheese or cheddar cheese, lime slices, tortilla strips, corn tortilla chips and even Doritos! Don’t forget the hot sauce!

A Baby Led Weaning Soup

For those who have little ones at home and are working to introduce solids into the diet, this is a great baby led weaning dinner recipe! To serve to a little one, deconstruct the soup.

Alternatively, consider blending the vegetables with the broth. We often serve this taco soup on a plate with one of the vegetables, potato, meat and top it with sour cream or cheese.

The sour cream can act as a ‘dipping sauce’ and the soup can introduce robust flavors without being overwhelming. It also is a great example of a baby led weaning dinner recipe to introduce ‘hot’ temperatures and encourage cooling off soup on a spoon.

The amount of vitamins and nutrients within this recipe are endless. From meat and bone broth, there is iron and vitamins A, B2, B12 and even omega’s. Tomatoes are high in folate, vitamin C and potassium. Beans are full of fiber. As you can see, this taco soup recipe is a baby led weaning dinner powerhouse the whole family will enjoy!

Taco Soup Variations

• Vegetarian Option – To make this recipe vegetarian, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and remove the meat. If you would like a heartier meal, add in lentils (or an extra can of black beans) plus a splash of olive oil to increase the flavor profile even more. Green lentils are best in the recipe!
• Swap vegetables – Any vegetables can be swapped in this meal. If you are going kitchen sink style, this recipe will lean towards a ‘vegetable soup’ as opposed to ‘taco soup’. Feel free to throw in various peppers, carrots or even butternut squash instead of potatoes.
• Swap starch – In our opinion, this recipe tastes best with potatoes. We have replaced the potatoes with another starch like white rice or brown rice, lentils and quinoa. This recipe would do well with butternut squash too.
• Alternate Bean Choices – There are a variety of beans which go well in this soup. To make this taco soup more like a ‘taco soup chili’, consider swapping black beans for pinto beans, kidney beans, chili beans or cannellini (white kidney) beans. Garbanzo beans will also work too.
  • Or make this taco soup with no beans!
• Spices – If you research taco soup recipe online, you will see a variety of recipes with pre-mixed spices. Many of the popular recipes include a taco soup recipe with ranch dressing mix packets or homemade taco seasoning. In our household, we prefer the traditional taco seasonings (cumin, garlic powder, oregano, onion, salt, pepper and a dash of paprika, chili powder and lime. To save time, you can certainly use something pre-packaged and adjust spices to your liking. We prefer a heavier cumin flavor over chili powder. If you do use a ranch packet in this taco soup recipe, consider rinsing the beans and reducing additional salt.
  • This taco soup is without ranch seasoning / a ranch dressing packet.

Can I make taco soup with chicken? How about with pork or turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can swap out any kind of ground meat. With meat prices skyrocketing, use what your family loves and what is cheapest in your market to make a big batch!

Can you make taco soup in a crockpot?

Yes! To make crock pot taco soup, first brown the beef (chicken, lamb, or turkey) with onions in a separate pan. Then combine all ingredients into the crockpot (outside of the add ins). Allow to simmer on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours before enjoying! This is key for those busy weeknights where you need a slow cooker soup.

Can taco soup be made in an Instapot or Ninja Foodie?

It is possible to put this recipe in an Instapot or Ninja Foodie, though it only takes around 30 minutes to make from start to finish in a regular pot. The Instapot or Ninja Foodie may make the beans and potatoes a bit mushy.

How long does taco soup last in the fridge?

This soup stays good as a leftover for up to three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If not consumed immediately, allow to cool in the refrigerator before placing in the freezer in a freezer safe container for up to 3-6 months.

How to double soup recipes?

Yes! Simply double or triple the ingredients in this taco soup. To save money, you can reduce the amount of meat if doubling/tripling while allowing the recipe to stretch for the family without hitting your budget.

What are your favorite toppings for taco soup? Let us know in the comments below!