Hearty Taco Soup with Beans (Printable)

Hearty soup with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and classic toppings—ready in 45 minutes for cozy family meals.

# What You 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 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 (15 ounce) can corn kernels, drained
08 - 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
09 - 1 (10 ounce) can 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 It:

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 seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything goes into one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor as the ingredients meld together
  • You can prep it in under 15 minutes using pantry staples and whatever toppings you have on hand
  • It tastes even richer the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without stress
  • The toppings bar turns dinner into an interactive experience that kids and adults both get excited about
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beans and corn or the soup will be too watery and the flavors will taste diluted instead of concentrated
  • Blooming the spices in the hot pot for a full minute makes them taste deeper and more complex, not dusty or flat
  • If you want it thicker, mash a cup of the beans against the side of the pot before simmering, it creates a creamy base without adding flour or cornstarch
03 -
  • Use fire roasted diced tomatoes and a pinch of smoked salt if you want that campfire flavor without turning on a grill
  • Let the soup rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving, it gives the flavors one last chance to settle and the texture becomes silkier
  • If you're making it for a crowd, double the batch and keep it warm in a slow cooker so people can help themselves all evening
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