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Taco soup in a white bowl on white marble, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips.

The Only Taco Soup Recipe You Need – 4 Ways, 1 Pot

A bold, cozy taco soup you can make in 30 minutes. One base recipe with four easy variations: Classic, Creamy, Keto (Low-Carb), and Vegan. One pot, big flavor, perfect for busy nights and meal prep.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed or diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if possible)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen)
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 23 cups beef or chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Toppings (optional): shredded cheddar or pepper jack, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, diced red or green onion, jalapeño slices, crushed tortilla chips or Fritos.

    Variations:

    • Creamy: 4 oz cream cheese (softened) + 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • Keto: omit beans and corn; add 1 diced bell pepper; extra green chiles
    • Vegan: 2 cans lentils (rinsed) or 12–16 oz plant-based crumbles; vegetable broth
    • Chicken: 3 cups cooked shredded chicken; chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Brown: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion until browned, 6–8 minutes. Drain if needed.
  2. Bloom spices: Add garlic and taco seasoning. Cook 1 minute, stirring.
  3. Simmer: Add tomatoes, beans, corn, green chiles, and 2 cups broth. Stir. Bring to a boil, then simmer 15–20 minutes. Add more broth for desired thickness.
  4. Season and serve: Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and add toppings.

Variations:

  • Creamy: Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese until melted; add cream. Heat gently.
  • Keto: Skip beans/corn; add bell pepper with onion.
  • Vegan: Swap beef for lentils/plant crumbles; use vegetable broth.
  • Chicken: Stir in shredded chicken for last 5 minutes.

Notes

  • Flavor boost: Use fire-roasted tomatoes and bloom spices in fat.
  • Heat control: Add jalapeños or chipotle for spicy; choose mild chiles for gentle heat.
  • Thicken: Simmer uncovered or mash some beans.
  • Slow cooker: Brown first; cook on Low 4–6 hours.
  • Instant Pot: Sauté, then pressure cook High 5 minutes; natural release 10 minutes.
  • Author: Soukaina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup, Main
  • Method: One-Pot, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx.)
  • Calories: 380 Kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 11 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg