Name: The Best Taco Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-491734H15M22S
Total time: PT-491734H15M22S
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 2 (10-ounce) cans Mexican flavor diced tomatoes with green chiles; 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans, with juice; 1 cup frozen corn kernels; 4 cups water (for stovetop method); 3 cups water (for slow cooker and Instant Pot methods); Shredded cheese; Tortilla chips; Avocado; Cilantro; Chopped onion; Sour cream; Lime wedges

If you are on the hunt for a hearty, flavorful, and downright comforting meal, look no further because I’m about to share with you The Best Taco Soup Recipe. This soup is a delightful blend of classic taco seasonings, tender ground beef, beans, and corn that come together to create a bowl bursting with warmth and bold Mexican-inspired flavors. Perfect for any day of the week, it’s easy to prepare and flexible enough to make on your stove top, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for cozy dinners and casual gatherings alike.

The Best Taco Soup Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows six small white and wooden bowls arranged on a white marbled surface. The largest white bowl in the center holds many yellow corn tortilla chips with a rough texture, arranged unevenly to form a mound. Surrounding it, going clockwise from top left, is a small white bowl with a heap of mixed shredded yellow and white cheese, another small wooden bowl filled with smooth, white sour cream, a group of lime wedges with bright green skin and pale green flesh, a small white bowl with finely chopped white onions, a small white bowl with bright green avocado chunks, and a small white bowl filled with fresh green cilantro leaves. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

What’s truly wonderful about The Best Taco Soup Recipe is how simple yet essential each ingredient is. Every component plays a crucial role, from the ground beef offering rich, meaty depth to the spices that give it a kick and the beans and corn adding texture and color that make every spoonful exciting. Here’s everything you’ll want to have on hand before diving in:

1 pound lean ground beef: Use lean beef to keep the soup hearty without too much grease.
1 cup chopped onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and texture, perfectly balancing the spices.
1 tablespoon tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor deepens the soup’s richness beautifully.
1 tablespoon chili powder: The signature seasoning that delivers the classic taco soup heat.
1 tablespoon ground cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin is essential for authentic taco flavor.
1 tablespoon garlic powder: Brings in a mellow, savory undertone.
2 teaspoons kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
2 10-ounce cans Mexican flavor diced tomatoes with green chiles: Adds vibrant color and a gentle spicy kick.
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained: Provides protein, fiber, and a creamy texture contrast.
1 15-ounce can chili beans, with juice: Brings additional heft and spice, making the soup even more satisfying.
1 cup frozen corn kernels: Sweet bursts of corn add delightful pops of color and flavor.
4 cups water: Perfect for achieving the right soup consistency.
Shredded cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, chopped onion, sour cream, and lime for serving: These garnishes elevate the soup by adding creaminess, crunch, freshness, and acidity.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make The Best Taco Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté the Aromatics

Begin by heating a large stock pot over medium heat and cooking the ground beef, breaking it into crumble-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and develops a beautiful golden color. Once the beef is no longer pink, toss in the chopped onion. Cooking the onion for about 3 minutes softens it and releases its natural sweetness, creating a perfect base for the soup.

Step 2: Infuse with Spice and Tomato Paste

Next, stir in the tomato paste along with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and kosher salt. These fragrant spices immediately build layers of complexity and warmth in the soup. Cooking this mixture for 2 minutes ensures the tomato paste caramelizes slightly, marrying the flavors to the meat and onions.

Step 3: Add Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes

Now it’s time to add the stars — the diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, chili beans, and frozen corn. Each ingredient adds a new texture and dimension, from the juicy, slightly spicy tomatoes to the creamy beans and sweet corn kernels. Pour in the water and stir everything together.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the soup to a boil before reducing it to a rolling simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering step melds the flavors beautifully and softens the beans and corn just right. If you prefer a thicker soup, feel free to extend the cooking time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 5: Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Options

If you want to free up your stove, cook the beef and onions on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients and 3 cups of water. Let it cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours — convenience meets flavor! For a speedy meal, use the Instant Pot: brown the meat and aromatics using sauté mode, add the rest, pressure cook for 8 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes before serving.

How to Serve The Best Taco Soup Recipe

The image shows a pot filled with a thick soup that has a rich red-brown color. The soup contains visible layers of different ingredients, including ground meat, corn kernels, black beans, diced red peppers, and onions, all mixed together in the thick broth. On top, there is a dollop of white sour cream surrounded by melted shredded orange and white cheese. Fresh green cilantro leaves are scattered over the surface, adding a bright contrast. A silver ladle is scooping up a portion of the soup, showing a close-up of the chunky mix of meat, beans, corn, and cheese. The pot rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Serving this soup with classic taco toppings takes it to the next level. I love sprinkling shredded cheese that melts gently over each bowl, a dollop of cool sour cream for creaminess, chopped fresh onions for bite, creamy avocado slices for richness, crisp tortilla chips for added crunch, bright cilantro for freshness, and a squeeze of lime for just the right tangy zip.

Side Dishes

Consider pairing this soup with warm cornbread or simple flour tortillas to scoop up every last drop. A light mixed green salad with a zesty dressing can also complement the richness of the soup wonderfully, balancing your meal with freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual entertaining, serve the soup buffet style with all your favorite toppings arranged in bowls for everyone to customize their own bowls. This interactive approach doubles the fun and lets guests add as much cheese, chips, or avocado as they please. For a cozy dinner, ladle the soup into rustic bowls and garnish generously for an inviting presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer your leftover taco soup into airtight containers and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, making it perfect for easy weekday lunches or busy evenings.

Freezing

This soup freezes like a charm. Pour portions into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some headroom for expansion. It keeps well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. You can also microwave single portions, but stirring midway through heating helps warm it evenly. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick after refrigerating or freezing.

FAQs

Can I make The Best Taco Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with extra beans, lentils, or a plant-based ground beef alternative to keep that satisfying texture while keeping it vegetarian-friendly.

How spicy is this taco soup?

The spice level is moderate thanks to the chili powder and diced tomatoes with green chiles, which give just enough kick without overwhelming heat. You can always adjust by adding more chili powder or a dash of hot sauce to suit your taste.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Fresh tomatoes can work in a pinch but canned diced tomatoes with green chiles provide consistent flavor and spice. If using fresh, you might want to add diced green chiles separately and cook down the fresh tomatoes to concentrate flavor.

Is it possible to make this soup gluten-free?

Yes! The Best Taco Soup Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you double-check the labels of your chili powder and canned beans to ensure no cross-contamination or hidden gluten ingredients.

What toppings do you recommend besides the basic ones?

Feel free to get creative! Pickled jalapeños, fresh diced tomatoes, sliced radishes, chopped green onions, or a drizzle of hot salsa all add layers of flavor and texture to your soup bowls.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something incredibly satisfying about a bowl of The Best Taco Soup Recipe, whether it’s a chilly evening or a casual family meal. It’s comforting, delicious, and bursting with layers of flavor that everyone will love. If you haven’t made it yet, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try it and share it with those you care about—it’s one of those recipes that truly feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

The Best Taco Soup Recipe