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Taco Soup is one of the EASIEST dinner recipes of all time! Just dump, simmer, and enjoy in under 20 minutes!
One of the quickest and easiest soup recipes you’ll ever try! If you like the Mexican flavors in this Taco Soup, you might also like Chicken Taco Soup, Tortilla Soup, or Enchilada Soup.
The quickest, easiest Taco soup
We all love a delicious and easy soup recipe, right?? One of my all-time favorite meals that is not only yummy and simple, but quick, is our favorite easy Taco Soup recipe.
This easy Taco Soup is one I make more often during the winter when it’s cooler, but is also still great all year long! It’s obviously a soup version of taco salad, so if you like taco salad you’ll definitely love this recipe.
The best part of all is that it takes 20 minutes TOTAL to make. Yes, you heard me right!! Twenty minutes to prep and cook this entire meal!
Another great part about this recipe is it’s made from mostly canned foods, pantry staples we always have on hand. All you have to do is just pop open a few cans, add a few spices, and you have a super delicious and easy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
nearly all Ingredients from cans!
This soup is sometimes nicknamed “7 Can Taco Soup” because it’s made from just seven cans (plus a few seasonings). Here are the specific canned goods required:
- Chili with Beans
- Black Beans
- Tomato Sauce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Corn
- Green Chiles
The only other ingredients I use that aren’t canned are ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning mix! You can either buy the individual packets, or if you have large containers of seasoning, it is equivalent to 3 TB.
How to make Taco Soup
Not only are the ingredients for this recipe simple – the steps themselves are even simpler!
TOSS ‘EM IN. All you have to do is throw all of the ingredients into a large pot. No particular order, just toss em all in! Maybe stir a couple of times to combine everything well, then turn on the heat.
SIMMER. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Once it’s hot and ready, you can serve it with your favorite toppings.
You can use anything you like, but we really like these toppings:
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Tortilla strips
- Cilantro
- Sliced avocado
Other cooking methods
Make this soup in the Instapot:
- Set the Instant Pot to “Saute.”
- Once hot, add ingredients to the pot.
- Place the lid on and set the valve to “Sealed”.
- Press the “Soup” button and set timer for 20 minutes.
- Once the soup is done, turn valve to “Quick Release”.
Make this soup in the Crockpot: We have a slow cooker version that’s a tad different but just as good. Check it out HERE. Or for this particular recipe, cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours. 😉
Recipe Tips
How to thicken the soup: If you find your soup isn’t thick enough for your liking simply mix 2-3 tablespoons of flour or Cornstarch to ¼ c of broth from the soup. Once mixed add the broth back into the main pot of soup and stir.
Add your own meat: This recipe uses a can of chili with beans and meat. If you want to add your own meat then, use 3 cans of Mexican beans and add 1 pound of cooked ground beef, or for a leaner version use ground turkey or chicken.
Making your own Homemade Taco Seasoning is great because you can easily adjust the ingredients to your taste. Our recipe includes chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Increase or decrease any of the ingredients to make it exactly the way you like it.
Serve with:
Making ahead and storing
Make ahead of time. Easily make this soup 1-2 days ahead of time. Store in in airtight container in the fridge. Heat on the stove or in a crockpot until warm.
Freezer Meal. Taco soup makes a great freezer meal. Mix all ingredients pour in an airtight container and freeze. To cook remove from freezer and throw it straight in the crockpot for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. You can also thaw overnight and heat on the stove top until warm.
Leftovers. Place left overs in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months.
Leftovers can be used to make a second meal such as:
- Pour over Hot Dogs to make chili dogs
- Over Homemade Tortilla Chips for nachos
- Over Fry Bread
- On top of Baked Potatoes
Reheat. If you’re short on time or have a small amount you can reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until warm. If you have the time or have a large amount can als reheat on the stovetop or in a crock pot stirring occasionally until warm.
For more easy Soups, check out:
Taco Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 (15-ounce) cans chili with beans
- 1 (15-ounce) can can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce_ can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix, (or 1 packet)
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning, (or 1 packet)
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup water
Toppings
- sour cream, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve warm with your desired toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I add hamburger?
Yes, that would be delicious.
Thanks for the taco soup recipe – I am a vegetarian and will use my crockpot.
I have a similar recipe. I always use chicken broth unless cooking for my vegetarian sister & then I use vegetable broth. In that instance, we serve the meat on the side (ground beef or diced chicken).
I believe your nutrition findings on your taco soup might be wrong. What is 1 gram of soup? 21 calories?
That’s a great idea to make it vegetarian. Thanks for sharing!
I do not eat beef or beef consume. Can I substitute chicken broth instead?
Yes!
To be fair, I haven’t made this particular recipe and will stick with one I made yesterday. It has ground beef and onions in it. Double the veggies and a few other differences. It makes enough for 2 -3 meals. (there are 3 of us). I’m sure for those not wanting meat and onions, this would be great.
Taco soup is made entirely from canned or packaged processed ingredients, loaded with salt, preservatives and other various unhealthy components. Not something I would want my family to come to like as a fast go-to meal.
You posted if we don’t use canned chili beans to use Mexican beans and add meat. What are/or do you mean by Mexican beans?
This recipe is so great when I want a tasty, filling meal for my family – fast! Love it when dinner is on the table in less than a half hour!
We love this taco soup! We usually have all of the ingredients on hand, so it’s a great meal to bust out when it’s late afternoon and I don’t know what we’re having for dinner or if I need a last-minute meal to take to a neighbor or friend.
Yay! So happy to hear all the ways you enjoy the soup!
This is my go-to on busy nights when my boys have baseball practices and games. This taco soup has been a lifesaver on many a night!
We always love a good soup…and this one is yummy. It’s like chili and a taco, which my kids love both! Definitely a must-try.
So easy and so yummy
This recipe is very similar to the one I make except mine has a diced onion added.
That’s awesome! You could definitely add onions to this too if you like the flavor.
Such comfort food! I made this last week and my whole family loved it…which is a hard thing to find! Lol
Simply the best recipe! I’ve tried others but this one is my favorite. Perfectly proportioned portions. Have shared with many friends. Thank you for sharing with us!
New follower here, and I’m super excited to try this! Do you drain the CORn?
Thank you for all these great recipes!
Welcome! No, you don’t drain the corn. Sure hope you like this & any others you try!
I would rather make chili beans. Nothing against your Taco soup. I am sure Taco soup is delicious. I can’t eat certain ingredients you add to your soup.
No worries at all! You can always take out or add ingredients you like 🙂
This was beyond good!! Loved it so much and it was easy to make!
This was exactly what we were looking for when we need something quick to make for dinne! It was so good!
Love, love, love taco soup in the fall season! One of my favorites.. can’t wait to try your recipe!
This is one of my favorite fall recipes. So good!
This taco soup is a keeper! I had everything on hand and it came together in a flash! So Delicious!
Can this be made in enameled cast iron dutch iron? Thank you for sharing!
It sure could, though I have not personally tried. Let me know what you think!
This Taco Soup is in our dinner Rotation. EVERYONE Loves when its Taco Soup night!
Easiest meal ever- thank you!!
Love your recipes! Your attention to detail makes following them super easy! So glad i found your Site!
Awe, thank you!! I am glad you did, too!
Truly one of the best soups out there. All canned items with hamburger and some flavors of ranch and taco seAsoning. So easy to dump everythiNg in a crocKpot and have dinner ready in no time.
what are Mexican beans?
I’m not sure what’s all in it, but I’ve seen canned beans that are Mexican beans. It’s like chili beans.
This is my family’s favorite go-to soup! I always have the ingredients on hand. it is so full of flavor & I love that you just throw the ingredients in the pot & takes just minutes to make!
Hi Luna:
I love your recipes and that you include the nutritional values. I’m wondering if you can put the serving size on that information. That is important, because some people think 10 bowls or the whole casserole is a serving. I am a diabetic and this information is all important to me. Thank you and keep the recipes coming 🙂 I haven’t tasted the soup, but I can tell it is good. My husband was an executive chef and I know good when I see it. He was also half Mexican like you.
Very tasty and easy too. Yum. Thank you for the receipe.
You are so welcome!! I am glad you liked it! Thank you 🙂
What are those crispy tortilla looking things that you use for garnish on a lot of your recipes and how do you make them? Love your site and your recipes all look delish. I plan on trying the taco soup and the cream cheese parmesan asparagus.
I love your site!! And you!!! And I appreciate so much how you show pictures of the ingredients you’re using. Some of the blogs I see list something and I have no idea what it is and even after googling it I still can’t figure it out. I guess I’m a visual person!! Thank you – and I just happen to have all these cans so guess what’s for dinner!!! love you!!!
You’re so sweet, Donna!! How did the soup turn out? I hope the family liked it! 😀 XO
delicious!!! Very easy and filling – and we loved it. Thanks again!!!