This easy Taco Soup recipe is one of my favorite meals when I want something healthy, quick, and tasty. This one-pot meal can also be made in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot.

Looking for more soup recipes? Try my Classic Homemade Chili, Creamy Tortellini Soup, Creamy Zuppa Toscana, or Chicken and Dumplings.

A bowl of Taco Soup topped with shredded chedar cheese, fritos, and chopped green onions.

What I love about this soup:

  • One-Pot Meal: Is there anything better? No mess, just an easy recipe with an even easier clean-up.
  • Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand, and only need 5 minutes to prep the best taco soup recipe.
  • Instant Pot and Slow Cooker cooking methods are included in the recipe notes, making this meal even easier.

How to Make Taco Soup:

Brown Beef: In a large pot, brown the beef, breaking it into small pieces as it browns.

A pot of cooked ground beef, broken into pieces.

Simmer: Add beans, diced green chilies, crushed tomatoes, corn, chicken broth, and spices. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and let it cook for about 20 minutes.

Two images showing all of the ingredients for the best Taco Soup recipe before and after it's stirred together in the pot.

Serve traditional taco soup with desired toppings like avocado, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, or tortilla chips.

A close image of a bowl of creamy taco soup, topped with cheddar cheese, corn chips, and green onions.

Storage and Freezing Instructions:

To Store: Store soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after making.  Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

To Freeze: Allow creamy taco soup to cool completely. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.  To reheat, thaw soup in the refrigerator overnight and simmer on the stove until warm, or warm in the microwave.

Recipe Variations:

  • Instant Pot Taco Soup: Brown ground beef on sauté setting until cooked.  Remove grease then add remaining ingredients and add one extra cup of broth.  Cook on manual/high pressure for 3 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes before carefully removing the lid.
  • Crock Pot Taco Soup: Brown ground beef on the stove then add the cooked ground beef and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours then serve with your favorite toppings.
  • Vegetarian Taco Soup: Omit the meat and add extra beans.
  • Chicken Taco Soup: Use cooked chicken instead of ground beef.
  • Spices: substitute one packet of taco seasoning in place of the dry spices listed in the recipe. Taste, and add additional seasoning if needed.

More 30-Minute Meals:

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Recipe

An easy Taco Soup recipe in a white bowl topped with cheddar cheese, fritos, and chopped green onions.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 25 minutes
Save Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced (or substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes undrained
  • 4 ounce can diced green chiles
  • 15 ounce can kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounce can black beans , rinsed and drained
  • 17 ounce can corn , drained
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

Topping Suggestions:

  • Tortilla chips, or fritos
  • sour cream
  • shredded cheese
  • green onions , chopped
  • avocado , chopped
  • hot sauce
  • fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Brown the meat and remove any grease, if needed. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, before serving. Garnish with desired toppings.

Notes

(Nutritional label does not include toppings)
Storage Instructions: leftovers will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. 
Freezing Instructions: Store in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and simmer on the stove until warm. 
Instant Pot Taco Soup: Brown ground beef on sauté setting until cooked.  Remove grease. Add remaining ingredients and add one extra cup of broth.  Cook on manual/high pressure for 3 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes before carefully removing the lid.
Crock Pot Taco Soup: Brown ground beef on the stove. Add the cooked ground beef and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Vegetarian Taco Soup: Leave the meat out and add extra beans.
Chicken Taco Soup: Use cooked shredded chicken in place of ground beef.
Spices: One packet of taco seasoning can replace the dry spices listed.

Macros Recipe Adaptation

1 lb. ground turkey, 17 ounces frozen corn.

Per Serving Amount

523.8 grams

Macros

431 kcal, Fat: 8g, Carbs: 58g, Protein: 34g (serves 5) | MFP: Taco Soup (TBFS Macros)

Nutrition

Calories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 36gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1541mgPotassium: 1727mgFiber: 18gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 762IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 9mg

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I originally shared this recipe September 2017. Updated November 2019, September 2021 and October 2023.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was so so good! I was wondering if you think I could make this without the meat and only a beens so that it’s vegetarian?

  2. I was looking for a quick and easy recipe for soup after church on Sunday. I googled taco soup because I knew I had all the ingredients. Thank you for this recipe, it was delicious and we loved it.

  3. 5 stars
    I love it made from scratch. This was very tasty, packed a lot of flavor, satisfying on this cold winter night with homemade tortillas, rice all the fixings. Thank you so much for sharing, keeper recipe for me, keep up the good work.

  4. 5 stars
    Delicious as written and kid friendly!! I used a slow cooker and served with fresh hot Jiffy cornbread muffins. Told the 7 yr old it was chili because she doesn’t eat “soup”. 😀

  5. 5 stars
    Honestly, the best soup I think I’ve ever made!! Love to add sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese to the top of my soup and use Frito Scoops and a spoon to scoop soup. I will add more kidney beans and a few more garlic cloves next time too. So very good!!! Thank you!! Whole family loved the soup!! That’s big for our family!

  6. 5 stars
    This was so amazing! I subbed ground chicken and added diced green pepper. Super simple to make for a hearty dinner! Yum!

  7. I love this taco soup, made for family coming to the Winterfest this weekend. Didn’t have the chilies so used small can of jalapeños and not kidney beans so used pinto, served with all the toppings, was delicious..

  8. 5 stars
    I made this (doubled) for two families I know that are sick.
    It’s the perfect take-in meal and all of the toppings in individual containers made a fantastic presentation.
    When I came home I had my bowlful and totally enjoyed it!

  9. 5 stars
    I made this for dinner in the crock pot last night. The flavor was well balanced and I’m looking forward to leftovers for lunch.

  10. 5 stars
    This is the ONLY taco soup recipe I’ll ever need. The perfect amount of seasonings and combination. I will never buy another taco seasoning packet again now. Hubby and I put a little spoonful of sour cream on top and used Doritoes for dipping, absolutely delicious. I saved your recipe and have passed it along to many people that I know will love this recipe.
    Thank you for sharing!

  11. 5 stars
    Delish! I have made several times now and my family loves it. I did leave out the green chili’s for my son and poured the full 32oz beef broth. 👌

  12. 5 stars
    We tried this recipe during the recent cold and snow spell and really enjoyed it. Actually, my husband has gone crazy over it and wants me to cook it again right away! It was super easy to prepare, so busy moms with kids in the home would especially like it. We ate some plain and some with cheese, sour cream, the green onions, and tortilla chips. It was exceptionally tasty either way. I have another recipe for taco soup that calls for ranch dressing mix, but I like this one because I can control the amount of salt in the recipe better.

  13. 5 stars
    I made this the other day…easy recipe and very flavorful…my mom loved it. Reminds me very much of a tasty chili…..we both enjoyed the addition of corn!

  14. Dang, this is a great recipe! Easy to fix, tastes yummy, and satisfies at a deep level. Subbed Impossible Burger for the ground beef, which worked well. Although it’s only us two, made the full recipe. We’re already looking forward to eating the leftovers. Thank you!

  15. Hi Lauren,
    Love your recipes and have made this soup several times already with many compliments!
    I added up the calories for all the ingredients and divided by 5 servings and came up with MUCH more than 135 calories per serving.
    1 lb of lean beef alone is 850- 1,000 cal.
    Is my math off?
    Just curious.
    Keep up the great work, Thanks!

    1. Hi Jenny, thanks for pointing this out–you were right, the app did not calculate it correctly. I’ve fixed it! Thanks!

  16. Love your recipes. I’m old and have played the raising the kids game. Wish I had your recipes way back then. Thank you.

  17. 5 stars
    Girl, this soup is so good and easy and SO DELICIOUS. I thank you for this recipe, and look forward to the next recipe of yours that I try! I’m thinking 🤔 southwest egg rolls or something of the like… cheers!!!

  18. 5 stars
    I made this dish using your recipe and it was easy to make and absolutely delicious. My whole family loved it and I even shared the recipe with my best friend. Thanks!

  19. Hi, Lauren.
    I don’t give much feedback, but I’d like you to know I think what you’re doing is just great!
    Thank you for all your marvelous work!
    -Don. Western Australia Down Under!!!

  20. I’ve made this for years and it is one of my Go To recipes. I change it up from time to time.

    In reading your instructions I see you add chicken broth but in your ingredients list you have beef broth.

    Which is it or is it with the specific meat chosen?

    1. Great catch Trish! You can use either. I generally use beef broth but have switched it up and it tastes great!

  21. 5 stars
    We had 10 happy bellies around our table tonight. Excellent Soup! I made hot dogs for the kids just in case they didn’t like it. The Soup pot is EMPTY, and we have almost all of the hot dogs left over. I have already shared this recipe with 4 people. Love how quick & easy it is to make!

  22. 5 stars
    This has become my family’s favorite soup! The seasonings are spot on! Easy to make, healthy and delicious!

  23. Can I use 2 cans of kidney beans, 1 can of sweet corn, and diced tomatoes instead, if those are what I have on hand?

  24. I haven’t tried it yet, but plan to soon. I LOVE that it doesn’t call for the pkg of taco seasoning. I am trying to get away from packaged seasonings and processed food. This is going in the right direction! I’m sure it will be delicious!!!

  25. It looks really good. Cook on low for 6-8 hours in the slow cooker (under instructions) or 4 hours (under notes)? Thanks.

  26. 5 stars
    This one was fun and easy to make! After cooking the meat, I tossed it all into the Crock-Pot. Within hours the house smelled so yummy. This meal is delicious and hearty!

  27. 5 stars
    SO-O-O-O- delicious! And, with all the vegetables in it, it’s filling enough for a meal without any extra toppings (which would add calories and/or Weight Watcher points to it.) It looks like about 3 WW points for a 2 cup serving…but I didn’t measure precisely. Plus, from now on, I won’t be paying $1.00 per bag for taco seasoning…the recipe’s combination is PERFECT!

  28. 5 stars
    I made this with chicken breasts cut bite size, switched the beans for 2 cans of Bush’s chili beans (not drained), decreased the spices by half and used chicken broth instead of beef. This was delicious!

  29. 5 stars
    This soup was a HIT! At first, it didn’t look like it would taste too good, but then once all the ingredients were together in the same pot and it was simmering, the aroma was amazing! The toppings were a plus too. If you plan on making this recipe for dinner and having left overs, don’t. This soup was so amazing, all of the family went back for seconds, leaving us with no leftovers. Highly recommended!

  30. 5 stars
    …. Hoy Crap! This SOUP is CRAZY GOOD! …….You need to make it now. Yes. Before Christmas. Go on now, get to the store and get the ingredients. Bye!
    grilln_byte. … instagram

  31. Made this taco soup today – so easy AND tasty. I am sodium-restricted, so used reduced-sodium or no-salt-added versions of the beans, corn and broth. Didn’t miss it at all, as the spices added plenty of warmth. Thank you!

  32. 5 stars
    Love this recipe. I typically always have these ingredients on hand- as we always have Mexican in some form each week. I made mine in the crock pot but will soon have an instant pot and will make it in there after Christmas! Thanks for the recipe!

  33. 5 stars
    Im doing week 53 and I purchased a 3lb ground turkey pack and cooked it all during the meat all recipe from Tuesday. Now today I don’t even have to cook the meat! I just three it all in the pot and heated it through! So easy! Thank youuu!

  34. 5 stars
    I make this soup ALL THE TIME! I use a mandolin to super thinly slice jalapeños and onions and cook them with the meat as well. We make this probably once every couple weeks, I even have the recipe printed in case something ever happened to this blog. We add spicy picante sauce and sour cream at the end.

    1. I love that idea! I’m really happy you’ve enjoyed it! (And don’t worry, my site wont be going anywhere 😉 ) XOX

  35. 5 stars
    I made this for dinner a few nights ago and it was awesome! I also have leftovers for a friend who was sick and she raves about it. Thanks for a great recipe!

  36. Did anyone else get halfway through this recipe before they had the realization ‘Hey this is just chili with broth’? ? Anyway, ‘chili soup’ is lovely too. ? I added one more cup of broth to make it go a lil further, as well as some flour & butter to thicken the liquid & make it slightly creamier, to make it just a tad different so that my family didn’t just think it was ‘chili ‘AGAIN’ this winter lol. Ate with homemade artisan bread. ..Thanks..

  37. 5 stars
    My favorite taco soup! MY husband loved it too, we were fighting over who got the left overs the next day ? IT is super quick and easy with the perfect blend of spices. I didn’t have time to let it simmer for 20 mi it’s so I just kept it at a boil for five minutes and it turned out perfect. love it!

    1. I would times the recipe by 5 (5lbs ground beef, 5 cans kidney beans, etc…) to make enough for 40 people 🙂