Easy Taco Soup packs all the classic taco flavors with savory beef, bold seasoning, corn, beans, and smoky chilies. Top with sour cream, Cheddar, and chips!

A bowl of Taco Soup with various toppings adds a burst of flavor and texture to this delicious dish.
chelsea

authorโ€™s note

This Easy Taco Chili is a Weeknight Lifesaver!

This Taco Chili has always been a reader favorite and a go-to in my own house. I make it all the time, but I wanted something even quicker, a โ€œtaco nightโ€ soup that could be on the table in 30 minutes or less. Thatโ€™s how this recipe came about! Itโ€™s packed with protein, loaded with big flavor, and has a slightly brothier spin on chili with the best taco seasoning blend.

Making it couldnโ€™t be easier. Just brown some ground beef, stir in canned tomatoes, corn, and beans, then let it all simmer together. And the real star? The toppings. Pile on crunchy chips, melty Cheddar, and a big scoop of sour cream to take every bowl over the top.

The best part is itโ€™s even better the next day, freezes like a dream, and can be customized to fit whatever youโ€™re craving.

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All the ingredients used in this delicious Taco Soup recipe.

Easy Taco Soup Ingredients

IngredientSwaps & Tips
Ground BeefSwap with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles
Onion & GarlicUse frozen diced onion to save time
BeansPinto, kidney, or white beans all work
CornFire-roasted corn adds smoky flavor
Diced Green ChilesSkip for milder soup or use jalapeรฑos for spice
Crushed TomatoesBlend diced tomatoes if thatโ€™s what you have
Chicken BrothUse vegetable broth for vegetarian version
Taco SeasoningHomemade mix gives the best flavor control

Quick Tip

Can I Make It in a Slow Cooker? Yes! Brown the onions and beef, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2 hours.

For this recipe, sautรฉ onions, brown beef, add garlic, and season for flavor.

Easy Taco Soup Toppings

This is where the fun really happens! Everyone can build their own bowl:

  • Sour cream for creaminess
  • Cheddar cheese (freshly shredded melts best)
  • Tortilla chips or strips for crunch
  • Fresh cilantro & green onions for brightness
  • Avocado slices or guac for creaminess
  • Lime wedges for a zippy finish
  • Jalapeรฑos if you like it spicy
Adding beans, corn, chiles, and broth, and mixing it all together in a pot.

Storage

Leftover Easy Taco Soup?

  • Stored in an airtight container, it lasts 3-5 days in the fridge. Taco Soup only gets better as it sits!
  • Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer bags or containers for easier thawing.
  • Warming up: After thawing overnight in the fridge, reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

More Comforting Soup Recipes:

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5 from 2 votes

Easy Taco Soup

Easy Taco Soup brings all the classic taco flavorsโ€”seasoned beef, beans, corn, and fire-roasted chiliesโ€”into one comforting bowl. Top it with sour cream, Cheddar, and some chips for dipping!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

Soup
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion finely diced, 1-1/2 cups
  • 1 pound ground beef lean, 93/7
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 (16-ounce) can chili beans or pinto beans, undrained, see note 1
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) can southwestern corn or plain corn, undrained
  • 1 (4-ounce) can mild diced green chiles undrained, fire-roasted if possible
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Chips for dipping
  • Toppings as desired see note 2
Seasonings (or use 1 Packet Taco Seasoning)
  • 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper

Instructionsย 

  • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sautรฉ until softened, about 3 minutes. Push onions to the sides of the pot and increase heat to high. Add ground beef to the center, crumbling it as it cooks. Cook until fully browned. If thereโ€™s excess grease, drain it off.
  • Add garlic and all seasoning ingredients plus salt and pepper to taste (I add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper). Sautรฉ the mixture, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1โ€“2 minutes.
  • Add remaining soup ingredients except toppings. Mix well.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer, uncovered, 10โ€“20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed (see note 3).
  • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your chosen toppings. Enjoy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Chili beans are canned beans in a seasoned chili sauce, enhancing the flavor of the soup without additional effort on your end! If you canโ€™t find chili beans, use ranch beans or drained and rinsed pinto beans instead.
Note 2: Optional toppings: sour cream, Cheddar cheese, green onions or cilantro, diced ripe avocado, lime, and/or jalapeรฑo.
Note 3: Adjust Taco Soupโ€™s consistency by adding broth for a thinner soup, or using extra beans or simmering longer for a thicker version.
Storage: Store in an airtight container up to 3โ€“5 days in the fridge. Taco Soup only gets better as it sits! You can freeze in freezer bags or containers for easier thawing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 1315mg | Potassium: 1416mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1166IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Variations

Switch Things Up!

  • Make it spicier with jalapeรฑos, chipotle peppers, hot sauce, or a little cayenne.
  • Change texture by adding broth to thin it out or extra beans to make it thicker.
  • Use a different protein like ground turkey, ground chicken, or shredded chicken like this chicken taco soup.
  • Mix in new veggies for extra flavor! Try roasted bell peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted butternut squash at the end.
  • Make it heartier with white rice, brown rice, or bulgur.

What To Serve With Easy Taco Soup

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 2 votes

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Mandie says:

    5 stars
    GREAT FLAVOR! Quick and easy and delicious!! I

    1. Chelsea says:

      Thanks Mandie!

  2. Taya says:

    5 stars
    Received compliments on this soup โ€“ everyone said it was unique and still hearty

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay! Iโ€™m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Taya!