Hearty Tex-Mex Taco Soup (Printable)

Hearty Tex-Mex soup with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and bold spices. Perfect for cozy family meals and gatherings.

# 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 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (10 ounces) 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
22 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the taco seasoning, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to activate the spice flavors.
04 - Add the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
07 - Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with your choice of preferred toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything goes into one pot, so cleanup is almost nonexistent and you can relax while it simmers.
  • The flavors get bolder as it sits, which means leftovers taste even better than the first bowl.
  • You can top it however you want, so picky eaters and adventurous ones both leave happy.
  • It freezes beautifully, giving you a stash of homemade comfort for those nights when cooking feels impossible.
02 -
  • Drain and rinse the beans well or the soup will taste starchy and the broth will get cloudy.
  • Don't skip blooming the spices in the pot, it makes them smell incredible and taste twice as bold.
  • If the soup looks too thick after simmering, add a splash more broth or water and stir it in.
  • Let it sit for 5 minutes after you turn off the heat, the flavors settle and the soup gets even better.
03 -
  • Use a mix of mild and hot diced tomatoes with chilies to control the heat level without losing flavor.
  • Let the soup simmer a little longer if you have the time, the extra minutes make the broth richer and more cohesive.
  • Crush tortilla chips right over the bowl instead of stirring them in, they stay crispy and add the perfect crunch.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half, future you will be so grateful when dinner is already done.
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