Taco Soup (One Pot)

One-Pot Dinner Serves 6 30 Minutes

Taco soup is what happens when taco night meets soup season, and the result is something the whole family fights over. One pot. Canned ingredients you can grab in five minutes.

A simmering time that fills the kitchen with the best smell imaginable. This is comfort food at its easiest. The ranch seasoning might sound unusual, but it adds a creamy, herby undertone that makes this soup taste layered and complex despite being almost impossibly simple. Leftovers reheat beautifully and arguably taste even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
• 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or frozen corn)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

• Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sliced jalapenos

Instructions

1. Brown the beef. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion, breaking the meat into crumbles, for 6-7 minutes until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
2. Season. Stir in the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix. Cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the meat evenly.
3. Add everything else. Pour in the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
4. Simmer. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer, partially covered, for 15-20 minutes so the flavors meld together.
5. Taste and adjust. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed. If the soup is too thick, add a splash more broth. If too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
6. Serve loaded. Ladle into bowls and pile on the toppings. Crushed tortilla chips on top are non-negotiable.

Tips for the Best Taco Soup

Variations

• Turkey taco soup: Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add an extra can of beans plus diced zucchini. Use vegetable broth.
• White chicken taco soup: Use shredded chicken, white beans, and cream cheese for a totally different take.
• Extra spicy: Add a diced jalapeno while cooking and use hot Rotel instead of mild.
• With rice: Stir in 2 cups of cooked rice at the end for a thicker, more filling version.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1/6 of recipe, without toppings):

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