Hearty Tex-Mex Taco Soup (Printable)

Hearty soup with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and zesty toppings—ready in 45 minutes for cozy family meals.

# What You’ll Use:

→ 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 or strips
22 - Lime wedges

# How-To:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven 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 diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in taco seasoning, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices and deepen their flavor.
04 - Add 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 simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
07 - Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything goes into one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to relax while it simmers.
  • It tastes even better the next day, so leftovers become the lunch everyone fights over.
  • You can customize the toppings to make each bowl feel completely personal.
  • It uses pantry staples you probably already have tucked away in your cupboard.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beans and corn, the extra liquid can make your soup too thin and watery.
  • Blooming the spices in the hot pot before adding liquid unlocks their full flavor and prevents them from tasting raw.
  • If you're making this ahead, store the toppings separately so the tortilla chips stay crunchy.
03 -
  • Use a mix of black and kidney beans for better texture and visual appeal.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens the entire pot and makes every flavor pop.
  • If you like it thicker, mash a few spoonfuls of beans against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
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