Hearty Tex-Mex Taco Soup (Printable)

Hearty soup with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and classic Tex-Mex toppings—ready in just 45 minutes.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to develop the spice flavors.
04 - Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth. 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 and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of soup that disappears in minutes at any gathering—trust me, make a double batch.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already tucked away in your pantry and freezer.
  • One pot means one dish to wash, which feels like a small miracle on weeknight evenings.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans and draining the corn—that starchy liquid will make your beautiful soup taste cloudy and off.
  • If you're serving this hours later, the tortilla chips go on right at the end, or they'll turn into mush and nobody wants that.
03 -
  • Blooming the spices in the hot pot for a full minute makes them taste exponentially more vibrant than if you skip this step.
  • If you can't find tomatoes with green chilies, just use an extra can of regular diced tomatoes and add fresh jalapeños to the pot or onto individual bowls.
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