Hearty Taco Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty soup with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and bold Tex-Mex spices—ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Canned Goods

05 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
10 - 4 cups chicken broth

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

16 - Shredded cheddar cheese
17 - Sour cream
18 - Sliced jalapeños
19 - Chopped cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions
21 - Crushed tortilla chips or strips
22 - Lime wedges

# How To Make:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
04 - Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot with desired toppings.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in one pot with ingredients you probably already have sitting in your pantry.
  • The flavors deepen as it simmers, filling your house with that warm, spicy aroma that makes everyone wander into the kitchen.
  • Toppings turn it into a fun, customizable meal where picky eaters and adventurous ones both leave happy.
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, which means less work and more flavor when you need it most.
02 -
  • Drain and rinse your beans, or the soup will turn cloudy and taste overly starchy instead of bright and clean.
  • Let the spices cook for a full minute before adding liquids, this small step unlocks their full flavor and prevents a raw, powdery taste.
  • Don't skip the simmer time, rushing it means the flavors won't blend and your soup will taste like separate ingredients instead of one cohesive dish.
03 -
  • Use fire roasted diced tomatoes instead of regular for a deeper, smokier flavor that tastes like you spent hours over the stove.
  • If your soup tastes flat, a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens everything and ties the flavors together like magic.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half, future you will be grateful when dinner is already done on a busy night.
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