Hearty Taco Flavored Soup (Printer-Friendly)

A quick, flavorful Tex-Mex soup with ground meat, beans, corn, and fresh vegetables, perfect for weeknights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Canned Goods

05 - 15 ounce can corn kernels, drained
06 - 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with juices

→ Pantry and Seasonings

08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
09 - 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Toppings

12 - Shredded cheddar cheese
13 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
14 - Sliced jalapeños
15 - Chopped cilantro
16 - Tortilla chips or strips
17 - Lime wedges

# Method:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the taco seasoning and cumin; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the diced tomatoes with juices, corn, black beans, and broth. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of toppings. Serve hot with tortilla chips on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table before anyone's too hungry to be patient.
  • The flavors taste like you've been simmering this all day, but you haven't—that's the real magic happening here.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining and rinsing the canned beans—that starchy liquid makes everything cloudy and thick in a way that doesn't feel intentional.
  • Tasting at the end and adjusting seasonings saves you every time; what seemed right at the beginning might need a pinch more salt or a grind of pepper once everything's married together.
03 -
  • Browning the beef thoroughly creates fond on the pot's bottom—don't rush this step, as those caramelized bits add depth once you deglaze with the vegetables.
  • Fresh cilantro and a real lime wedge transform this from weeknight dinner into something that tastes like you planned ahead, even if you didn't.
Return