Hearty & Easy One-Pot Taco Soup: Your Go-To Weeknight Mexican-Inspired Meal

Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy taco soup recipe – a flavorful, hearty, and satisfying dish that comes together in minutes. Perfect for any night, especially when topped with your favorite fresh garnishes!

If you’re a regular visitor to this site, you’ll know my deep appreciation for Mexican-inspired cuisine. From a lightning-fast Mexican Rice Skillet to my family’s beloved enchiladas, especially when made with a rich Homemade Enchilada Sauce, these vibrant flavors are a staple in my kitchen. So, it should come as no surprise that this easy taco soup has quickly become another family favorite.

My culinary philosophy revolves around effortless, delicious dinners. The simpler, the better, and if it can be whipped up in one single pan, that’s a definite win. This easy taco soup perfectly embodies both principles. It requires minimal cleanup, being a true one-pot wonder, and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Despite its quick preparation, it’s remarkably thick, hearty, and packed with wholesome ingredients, making it a delicious and relatively healthy option for any busy weeknight.

A steaming bowl of hearty taco soup garnished with fresh toppings

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Taco Soup

Crafting this simple yet flavorful taco soup requires a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the soup’s rich, comforting profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you start cooking:

Oil: A good quality olive oil or vegetable oil for sautéing.
Ground Meat: Lean ground beef or ground turkey provides the savory base.
Onion: Finely chopped, it adds aromatic depth to the soup.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for that irresistible fragrant punch.
Taco Seasoning: A packet of your favorite taco seasoning blend, or opt for a homemade version for controlled flavor and sodium.
All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickening agent to give the soup a satisfying, hearty consistency.
Tomato Sauce: The foundation for the soup’s rich, tomatoey base.
Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles (Rotel): Adds a touch of heat and vibrant tomato flavor.
Enchilada Sauce: A secret ingredient that brings an extra layer of authentic Mexican flavor.
Corn: Frozen corn kernels add sweetness and texture.
Beans: Your choice of canned beans, drained and rinsed.
Chicken Broth: The liquid base that brings all the flavors together.

When it comes to beans, the choice is entirely yours! We particularly love using black beans and pinto beans for their creamy texture and earthy flavor, but feel free to incorporate any type of bean you enjoy or have readily available in your pantry. Kidney beans or cannellini beans also work wonderfully in this recipe, offering a slightly different twist. Don’t hesitate to experiment!

For an extra touch of personalization and control over your spices and sodium levels, consider making your own Homemade Taco Seasoning. It’s surprisingly easy, and the fresh aroma and taste are unmatched. Plus, it’s a great option if you’re ever out of store-bought packets!

Close-up of taco soup in a bowl with corn and beans visible

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Making Taco Soup

Preparing this delicious taco soup is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. The beauty of this recipe lies in its one-pot convenience and rapid cooking time. Below, you’ll find a clear, step-by-step guide to bring this flavorful soup to life. For a full printable recipe card with precise measurements and nutritional details, make sure to scroll to the bottom of this post!

Brown the Meat and Aromatics: Begin by heating a tablespoon of oil in a large, sturdy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your chosen ground meat (beef or turkey) along with the finely chopped onions. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s thoroughly browned and the onions have softened and become translucent. Drain any excess fat from the pot to keep your soup light and flavorful. Once drained, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about one minute, until its fragrant aroma fills your kitchen – be careful not to burn it!
Build the Flavor Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the taco seasoning and all-purpose flour. Cook this mixture for approximately two minutes, stirring constantly. This step is crucial for two reasons: it allows the spices to bloom and release their full flavor, and it cooks out the raw taste of the flour, ensuring no white streaks remain and that your soup thickens beautifully.
Simmer and Combine: Now it’s time to bring everything together. Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, enchilada sauce, frozen corn kernels, your choice of drained and rinsed beans, and the chicken broth. Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld and deepen, transforming individual ingredients into a harmonious, rich soup.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the soup has simmered and is bubbling gently, it’s ready to be served! Ladle generous portions into bowls and prepare for a comforting meal. The best part about taco soup is customizing it with an array of fresh and creamy toppings.

Full bowl of taco soup with a spoon, ready to eat

Elevate Your Taco Soup with Delicious Toppings and Sides

One of the most delightful aspects of enjoying a hearty bowl of soup is the opportunity to customize it with an array of exciting toppings and complementary side dishes. Taco soup is no exception; in fact, its vibrant flavors make it a perfect canvas for creative additions. You can truly go wild with your favorite taco-inspired garnishes to enhance both the taste and texture of each spoonful.

If you’re looking for something to soak up every last delicious drop, my favorite cornbread recipe is an absolute must-try. Its slightly sweet, crumbly texture provides the perfect contrast to the savory, spiced soup, ensuring no flavorful bite is left behind in your bowl. Beyond cornbread, consider these popular and delicious toppings:

Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, spicy soup.
Shredded Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend melts beautifully, adding a gooey, savory layer.
Crushed Tortilla or Corn Chips: Provides a fantastic crunch and extra corn flavor, perfect for dipping.
Fresh Cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro brightens the soup with its herbaceous notes.
Diced Avocado or Guacamole: Offers a rich, buttery texture and healthy fats, complementing the Mexican theme.
Sliced Jalapeños: For those who love an extra kick, fresh or pickled jalapeño slices are perfect.
Chopped Onions: A sprinkle of finely chopped red or white onion adds a sharp, fresh bite.
Hot Sauce: A dash of your favorite hot sauce for an adjustable level of heat.
Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice can awaken all the flavors in the soup.

For additional side dishes, a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette can provide a refreshing counterpoint. You could also serve it alongside warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping, or even a side of fluffy rice to make it an even more substantial meal.

Close up of a bowl of taco soup with sour cream and cheese on top, garnished with cilantro

Make It Your Own: Customization & Storage Tips

This Easy Taco Soup recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for numerous customizations to suit your taste, dietary preferences, or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it uniquely yours!

Customization Ideas:

Vegetarian Version: Easily transform this into a meatless meal by omitting the ground meat. Instead, add an extra can or two of mixed beans (like chickpeas or cannellini) and a diced bell pepper or zucchini. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Boost the Heat: For those who love spicy food, increase the amount of diced green chilies, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, or include a dash of your favorite hot sauce during the simmering process. Freshly chopped jalapeños or serrano peppers can also be added with the garlic.
Different Proteins: While ground beef and turkey are excellent, cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!) can be added towards the end of the simmering time for a different texture. Ground pork sausage also adds a rich flavor.
Add More Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value by stirring in other vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
Smoky Flavor: A pinch of smoked paprika can add a wonderful depth and smoky aroma to the soup.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:

Refrigeration: Leftover taco soup stores beautifully. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight!
Freezing: Taco soup is an excellent candidate for freezing. Once completely cooled, ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of headspace if using containers to allow for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator or gently on the stovetop over low heat. Reheat refrigerated soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions. Add a splash of extra chicken broth or water if the soup has thickened too much during storage.
Meal Prep: This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping. Make a large batch at the beginning of the week and portion it out for easy lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.

Explore More Heartwarming Soup Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the comforting embrace of this Easy Taco Soup, you’re in for a treat! My collection of soup recipes is brimming with options that are perfect for chilly evenings, quick lunches, or anytime you crave a bowl of warmth and flavor. Dive into these other delightful soup creations from my kitchen:

Crockpot Tortellini Soup: A creamy, cheesy, and effortless soup that cooks itself.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup: All the classic flavors of chicken pot pie in a comforting bowl.
Instant Pot Pozole: A speedy version of the traditional Mexican stew, packed with flavor.
Clam Chowder: A rich, creamy, and classic New England favorite.
Cabbage Roll Soup: All the goodness of cabbage rolls in a hearty, easy-to-make soup.
Minestrone Soup: A fresh, vegetable-packed Italian classic, just like your favorite restaurant.
Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup: A comforting and satisfying soup with tender chicken and cheesy tortellini.

4.58 from 42 votes

Easy Taco Soup

By
Erin Sellin

Easy Taco Soup – a hearty and comforting taco flavored soup that is ready in minutes. Top with your favorite toppings to make it even better!

Prep:
10

Cook:
20

Total:
30

Servings:
6

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Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey, (or beef)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 14.5 oz can tomato sauce
1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 10 oz can enchilada sauce
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels
4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

In a large pot heat oil over medium high heat. Add ground meat and onions, break apart and cook until browned and onions are soft. Add garlic, and cook for about 1 minute, until you can just start to smell it.
Stir in taco seasoning and flour and cook for about 2 minutes. You want to cook and stir long enough to make sure there are no white streaks remaining from the flour.
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, corn kernels, beans and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes.
Serve topped with favorite taco toppings.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 346

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