Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Easy Taco Soup

Spiced, aromatic, and weeknight easy. This cozy taco soup leans on pantry staples, a quick homemade taco spice, and one simple trick that makes it taste like it simmered all day.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A steaming bowl of taco soup topped with shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime on a wooden table
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This taco soup is the kind of recipe that lives on a stained index card in someone’s kitchen drawer. The kind you can make half-asleep on a Tuesday, but it still tastes like you showed up on purpose. It is spiced and aromatic without being fussy, and it hits all the comfort notes: cozy broth, tender beans, sweet corn, and little pockets of melty cheese if you let it.

My goal here is simple: keep the ingredients accessible, keep the steps clear, and build flavor fast. The secret is a quick bloom of spices in hot oil, then a small hit of acid at the end so the whole pot tastes bright and finished. You do not need a slow cooker or a million toppings, but you will probably want them anyway because taco soup is basically an invitation to snack.

Timing note: In a focused kitchen, this can land in about 30 minutes. If your chopping is slower or your pot takes a while to come to a simmer, plan closer to 35 to 45 minutes.

Why It Works

  • Big flavor, low drama: blooming the spices with tomato paste gives you that deep, seasoned taste without long simmer time.
  • Heirloom vibes, modern speed: it tastes like a hand-me-down recipe, but it comes together fast on a weeknight.
  • Flexible: swap the meat, switch the beans, adjust the heat, and it still lands.
  • Great texture: a quick mash of a few beans thickens the soup naturally, no flour or cream required.

Pairs Well With

  • Skillet cornbread with honey butter
  • Sheet pan nachos with pickled jalapeños
  • Cilantro lime rice
  • Simple avocado and tomato salad

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Let the soup cool, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors get bolder overnight.

Freezer: Freeze in individual containers for up to 3 months. Leave a little headspace because soup expands.

Reheat: Warm on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickened a lot. Microwave works too, just stir halfway through.

Toppings tip: Store toppings separately so chips stay crisp and herbs stay fresh.

Common Questions

Is taco soup spicy?

As written, it is mildly spicy, but it can vary a lot depending on your chili powder blend. The easiest way to control heat is the jalapeño and cayenne: add them for more kick, skip them for mild. For smoky heat, stir in a spoonful of chipotle in adobo. For extra mild, use a mild chili powder and keep the toppings cooling (sour cream, avocado).

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes. Swap the meat for 1 extra (15 oz) can of beans (drained and rinsed) or about 2 cups chopped mushrooms. Use vegetable broth. The spice bloom step still matters, it is where the flavor happens.

How do I thicken taco soup?

Mash about 1/2 to 1 cup of the beans against the side of the pot, or blend 1 to 2 cups of soup and stir it back in. You can also simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes.

What is the best meat to use?

Ground beef is classic, but ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work. If using very lean meat, add an extra teaspoon of oil so the spices bloom properly.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes. Use a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker. Brown the meat and bloom the spices first, then transfer everything (drain off excess fat if needed) and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Add lime at the end.

This is one of those “call it dinner” recipes I keep around for nights when everyone is hungry and my brain is offline. The first time I made it, I was trying to recreate that church-potluck taco soup energy, but with a little more aroma and a little less mystery. Blooming the spices with tomato paste was the lightbulb moment. The kitchen smells like you have been cooking for hours, and the soup tastes like it has a backstory. That is my favorite kind of weeknight win.