Taco Soup (The World’s Easiest Supper)
Let me introduce you to the world’s easiest supper: taco soup. With ground beef, beans, corn, and seasoning, it’s everything you love about tacos in soup form. Basically, if you love chili or tacos, you’re bound to fall in love with this taco soup recipe.
This recipe has the family seal of approval and it’s ridiculously easy to make. All you have to do is grab the ingredients, dump them in a pot, bring them to a boil, and let them simmer for 15 minutes. That’s it! A comforting bowl of this easy taco soup will be ready in about 30 minutes.
I always have the ingredients on hand as most of them are pantry staples. If you’d like to read how I keep shelf-stable meals on hand and organized, check out by Bags to Dishes series.
The best part is, while this is an easy taco soup recipe, it’s also extremely flavorful. With taco and ranch seasoning mixed in, this soup is jam-packed with flavor the whole family will love. Customize it however you like as well. Add a dollop of sour cream and salsa, enjoy it with a side of guacamole and corn chips, or sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top.
If you’re feeling inspired, here are some other taco-flavored dishes I love: sweet potato and black bean tacos, instant pot beef barbacoa tacos, taco pizza, taco tot casserole, and fiesta taco salad.
Recipe Ingredients
- Kidney beans
- Corn
- Ro-Tel
- Tomato sauce
- Ranch dressing mix
- Taco seasoning mix
- About a pound of beef (more if you’d like).
I cook my beef ahead of time and freeze it in individual meal-sized portions so I just grabbed a bag from the freezer, which makes this even easier! I also dehydrate ground beef from time to time to make this recipe entirely shelf-stable.
How to Make Easy Taco Soup
Are you ready for the instructions?
Dump all the ingredients in a pot. Don’t even drain your cans, just dump it all.
Add a cup and a half of water and stir.
Bring it to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes. Serve!
Storage
Store your soup leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and in the freezer for up to three months. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat either in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Recipe Notes
- Prefer to make your own taco seasoning? For homemade taco seasoning, you’ll need a teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, as well as two teaspoons each of dried oregano, paprika, and cumin, and a pink of salt and black pepper.
- For more flavor, also add in a can of chopped green chiles.
- If you prefer different , you can substitute the for either or black beans (or use a combination).
Recipe FAQs
What do you serve with taco soup?
Serve your soup with a slice of bread or tortilla chips. Alternatively, you can set out a tray of toppings and let everyone pick their own. Include toppings like diced avocado, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, green onion, diced tomato, diced bell pepper, lime wedges, and jalapenos. Another option is to serve your soup as an appetizer before a main like chicken fajitas.
Can I substitute the meat in this taco soup?
Yes, you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork if you like. You could also omit the meat completely and use a can of lentils or an extra can of beans to make this a vegetarian taco soup recipe.
Can I make this soup in the crock pot?
Yes, it will just take a lot longer. Brown your beef and onion first and then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for five to six hours.
Craving a comforting bowl of soup? Check out these other soup recipes:
How To Make Chicken Noodle Soup
Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (Quick, Easy and Delicious)
Italian Sausage Soup With Gluten-Free Sausage
Cauliflower Soup Recipe With Cheese
French Onion Soup (Restaurant-Style Made Easy)
Loaded Potato Soup Recipe (Rich and Flavorful)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large chopped onion cooked with beef
- 2 cans kidney beans
- 1 can corn
- 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes (15-ounce)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- If needed, brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet.1 lb ground beef, 1 large chopped onion
- Combine all ingredients into a large pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 15 minutes.1 lb ground beef, 1 large chopped onion, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can corn, 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes (15-ounce), 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce), 1 packet taco seasoning mix, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, 1 1/2 cups water
- Serve with the toppings of your choice.
Video
Nutrition
My Mom has made this almost exact recipe for decades and it is the best! I’m making it tonight but forced to improvise a little, we’ll see how it goes!
~Rachel
Several comments left me thinking… college nutrition instructor and now an extension agent said not to drain cans since that is where the nutrition is. She said if you didn’t like canned food, use fresh fverozen veggies (I use steamables) with good homemade chicken or beef stock. Also, I always use venison when available. Lower fat content! Or, if I get a good food ministry special on loin pork chops, grind them up for the soup where they are not so dry like in other uses. I don’t like Rotel so I just use bell peppers in place and it is still delicious.
I use white shoe peg corn and the beans I use are called Ranch Style beans. They are in a black can at walmart….mine do not like kidney beans.
Out of ratel do u think I could substitute chunky salsa or no?
I think that would be a fine substitution 🙂
Can this soup be made in the slow cooker/crock pot?
I don’t see why not 🙂
Christy,I received your latest cookbook for Christmas and made this taco soup tonight! It was delish and soooooo easy! My kind of recipe! I was so surprised to see my cookbook was a signed addition since it was in a Myrtle beach “Books a million” so far from Alabama!! Now I have both your books and I’m a happy lady!! Rita
I am so glad you were able to get one of the signed copies Rita!! I hope you enjoy the book!!
This is great with fritos!! Love this site!