One Pot Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Make this easy Taco Soup Recipe in one pot in under an hour! Loaded with protein, veggies, and beans, it’s a hearty comfort food soup that will fill your belly and satisfy your tastebuds.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Taco Soup Recipe
- Easy – All you have to do is combine the ingredients. Then, the stove top does all the hard work, simmering the flavors together. Plus, with just one pot, cleaning up is a breeze!
- Nutritious – Made with all the flavor of your favorite tacos, this recipe is a great way to take your taco Tuesday up a notch with high-protein, vitamins, nutrients, and fiber thanks to the meat, beans, and veggies.
- Customizable – Feel free to mix and match any ingredients you have on hand and like best, and don’t forget to include all the best toppings! I like to set out a taco bar so everyone can pick their favorites.
What’s the Difference Between Taco Soup and Chili?
While both taco soup and chili are made with similar ingredients, they aren’t quite the same things. The primary difference is in the consistency!
Taco soup has a slightly soupier consistency and is thinner than chili. Meanwhile, chili is chunkier and thicker.
In addition, taco soup typically has more Tex-Mex-inspired flavors while chili is typically a little spicier with warm spices like chili powder and cumin.
What’s the Difference Between Taco Soup and Chili?
While both taco soup and chili are made with similar ingredients, they aren’t quite the same things. The primary difference is in the consistency!
Taco soup has a slightly soupier consistency and is thinner than chili. Meanwhile, chili is chunkier and thicker.
In addition, taco soup typically has more Tex-Mex-inspired flavors while chili is typically a little spicier with warm spices like chili powder and cumin.
Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details including prep time, total, time, nutrition information, etc.
- Ground Meat – I prefer to use lean ground beef (80% or leaner), but you could also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Veggies – Yellow or white onion, bell pepper zucchini, corn, and diced tomatoes make this simple taco soup recipe full of nutrients and super filling.
- Beans – I use a tri-blend beans, but white beans, black beans, or kidney beans will all work.
- Water – Feel free to substitute bone broth if preferred. It adds a little more savory flavor!
- Seasonings – Taco seasoning, Ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper combine to make this the best taco soup recipe ever.
How to Make This Easy Taco Soup Recipe
- Brown the meat in a large pot, breaking it up into pieces as it cooks.
2. Brown the meat in a large pot, breaking it up into pieces as it cooks.
3. Simmer until the flavors combine and the veggies are tender.
4. Adjust the seasonings to suit your preferences. Then, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Taco Soup Recipe
- Adjust the seasonings – Wait until the end of cooking. Then, taste your soup right before serving, and adjust the ingredients as needed. Feel free to include an extra dash of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for extra heat!
- Drain and rinse the beans – If you’re using canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to your soup. Otherwise, it might be too salty.
- Stir the pot – Don’t forget to stir the ingredients occasionally as they cook. This prevents anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.
Topping Ideas
Feel free to serve your soup on its own, or dress it up with toppings like:
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Cheese
- Sliced Green Onion (Scallions)
- Red Onions
- Black Olives
- Fresh Cilantro
- Guacamole or Avocado
- Lime Wedges
- Tortilla Chips
How to Store and Reheat
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.
- Freeze the cooled soup for up to three months. For single-serving portions, pour it into freezer cubes first. Then, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag! Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheat your soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat. Or, warm individual servings in 30 second increments in the microwave.
Common Questions About This Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Absolutely! To do so, brown the meat in a skillet on the stove. Then, transfer all the ingredients to a crock pot or slow cooker, and cook on low for four to six hours or high for two to three hours.
As it’s written, this recipe is relatively low-carb. However, if you want to make it even lower, feel free to omit the beans and any carb-heavy toppings.
This soup will thicken the longer it sits on the stove. Or, you can add an extra can of beans!
One Pot Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (turkey, beef, venison)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 2 cups frozen corn or 15 ounce can, drained
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 15 ounce can of beans, undrained (black, pinto, navy or kidney beans)
- 2 cups water or broth (beef or chicken stock or bone broth)
- 3 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- 3 Tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning (or 1 packet)
- salt and pepper, if needed
Toppings
- shredded cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a large soup pot over medium heat, brown the meat until cooked through.1 lb ground meat
- Add in the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and simmer for 30 minutes.1 onion, diced, 1 bell pepper, diced, 1 small zucchini, diced, 2 cups frozen corn , 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained, 15 ounce can of beans, undrained, 2 cups water or broth, 3 Tablespoons homemade taco seasoning, 3 Tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning
- When the soup is done cooking, taste test. Add more seasonings such as salt, black pepper, chili powder, or cayenne, if needed. We've been known to stir in a generous drip of Frank's Hot Sauce to kick it up a notch.salt and pepper, if needed
- When serving, top with plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, or lime wedges!shredded cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Your soup looks simply delish!! I like the fact that it’s quick and easy!! My husband passed away recently so I’m just cooking for myself now. I’m going to the market to buy all the ingredients needed to make your soup and the cornbread idea to go along with it is just great!! I can freeze small portions for myself. The only problem I have are the spices you use with it! I can’t do spicy anymore, bothers my stomach! Instead of Cayanne Pepper and Pepper Flakes, what other seasoning can I substitute in its place? I do like the idea of the yogurt dip that Leanne suggested!!
Hi Linda,
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. What a difficult time for you.
I hope you enjoyed this soup and yes, that is a great idea to freeze portions. You can omit the cayenne and red pepper flakes altogether. My mom doesn’t like spicy and she chooses to not add those two spices.
Blessings to you, Linda! Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind comment. 🙂
I have used many different taco soup recipes, and this is good as any. I used one 14 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes and one can of regular. I love the recipes for homemade seasonings, as I swore off packaged ones some time ago.
Claire, thank you so much for your comment. I am SO glad you liked this recipe and appreciated the homemade seasonings used in it. Happy cooking!
Made this for dinner last night. I’m not sure what I love best about this recipe, that the whole family thought it was delicious or that is was super easy and quick to make. Thank you for sharing. We will definitely be having this for dinner again.
That is so great to hear! That is my goal here at G&S 🙂 I am so glad you loved this meal and will be having it again. Blessings to you and thank you so much for making my day with your sweet comment!
So much better than the pre-packaged. Thanks Sammi!
Totally! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂 Happy Eating!
Thanks so much for the Taco soup recipe. I just made it and it is simply delicious and so easy to make. Looking to even more great soups.
You are SO welcome, Clarice! Can I just tell you, you and my grandma share the same name so I already know we would be friends. It is not a common name, but a beautiful one for sure. 🙂 I hope you enjoy a few more soup recipes before the weather warms up!
Thank you for the comments about my name. It’s somewhat of a family name. wanted to ask you if you have a calorie count for the taco soup?
Hi Clarice, I have 270 calories/serving which is about 2 cups of soup. However, calorie calculators greatly differ so who really knows. Ha! I hope this helps a little bit though 🙂
Made this today and just tried a “sample.” AMAZING! Can’t wait to have a full serving for dinner!
That is so great, Nicole! Thank you for telling me 🙂 I just love this hearty soup too! Stop back soon. 🙂
Perfect recipe, Sammi! I could eat tacos every day!
Me too, girl. Me too. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Agness!
Hi I just made this:). I’m trying to track it, do you know how many cups per serving?
Hi Yen! I think they are about 2 cups/serving. When I am tracking I come up with about 269 calories/ serving. Hope this helps!
Thank you for the idea! I have everything except the ground beef right now, but I do have some top sirloin, I may mix this up this afternoon and see how it does in my pressure cooker (which I’m a little obsessed with at the moment), and serve it with cornbread!
I bet it will turn out great! Love how you are swapping out ground meat with top sirloin. My husband would love that! Plus, with cornbread every meal is a winner. 😉 Yum! Enjoy, Jennifer!
How long do you cook it
Hi Renee! Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!!
I have his going in the crockpot nowand it smells amazing! Any idea on the nutrition info?
Hey Meg, I bet it does smell good! Yay! We are having Sweet & Spicy Chili tonight 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Enjoy your soup!
Hi again! If you are looking for calories I have 269 calories/serving with the soup serving 7 people…but who knows! All the calorie counting websites differ. Hope this helps!
My little guy is sick today. When I asked him to select a soup from the list of Pinterest ideas, he went through the list and selected this one. Looks and sounds super yummy. Can’t wait to make it today.
Oh, poor little thing! I hope he feels better soon 🙂 Give him a big hug from me for picking my soup out of all the options! Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment it put a big smile on my face today! Blessings to you both!
Will you share your recipe for your Taco Seasoning.
Hi Carol! Oh course, I will share the recipe with you (if you didn’t see it above 🙂 ) Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to ask your question! Blessings to you 🙂
Taco Seasoning
5 Tbsp chili powder
4 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayanne pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Place all spices in a small jar. Tightly seal with a lid and shake shake shake. Store this seasoning for months in your pantry or cupboard!
Just made this tonight with venison and LOVED it! If I made it with a greasier meet like beef, I would need to drain the grease before adding the other ingredients to the pot, right? Venison didn’t have enough grease to have to worry about that this time around. Thanks for your addition to our evening through this recipe!
Hi Caroline! I am humbled by your words 🙂 Thank you for making my day! We are like you and typically make soup with our ground venison or buffalo meat so there is no need to drain off the excess fat because there is none. Ha! However, yes, if you used ground beef you would more than likely need to drain it before adding in the remaining ingredients. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know your recipe experience and wish you happy and healthy cooking always. Blessings to you 🙂
I made this tonight and really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing it!
Oh that is so great, Nik! It makes my heart happy when you share your positive recipe experiences with me. Blessings to you and happy cooking!