What’s in this Recipe for Taco Soup?
I love that the slow cooker does all the work, so I can sit back and relax while this taco soup cooks to perfection in about 4 hours. A spice blend of paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and more make this soup deliciously flavor-packed.
Olive Oil: Helps the beef brown without burning. You can use any neutral oil here, such as canola or vegetable. Ground Beef: We like to use 85%-lean ground beef here, as it has a good balance of fat. Make sure to drain off any excess grease to avoid an oily soup. Onion: Use whatever kind of onion you have on hand– white, yellow, or sweet all work. Beef Broth: Forms the base of this soup. You can use vegetable broth or chicken broth instead. Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Add a rich tomatoey flavor and just a hint of spice. Tomato Sauce: Deepens the tomato flavor of this soup. Black Beans: Feel free to swap the black beans for kidney or pinto beans. Corn Kernels: You can use fresh or frozen corn in this recipe. You do not need to thaw the frozen corn. Spices: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt give this soup its complex flavor profile. Lime: Adds a hint of freshness!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
I’ve found that the flavors in this soup get stronger, and it gets a little spicier, the more it sits. Because of that, it’s a delicious soup for leftovers. The next day it will have even more flavor than the first.
Variations
I’ve made this a beef taco soup, but I also enjoy changing things up. It is absolutely delicious with ground chicken or turkey, and we have even used cooked shredded chicken or turkey instead. If I’m serving this to my 2 year old, I like to keep things pretty mild. I replace one or both cans of diced tomatoes and green chiles with regular diced tomatoes. I can also slightly reduce the amount of chili powder. On the other hand, when it’s just me and my husband, we love spice! For a spicier soup, I increase the amount of chili powder, add a pinch of cayenne, and add some diced jalapeños!
Serving Suggestions
I top off this soup with chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, tortilla chips or strips, sour cream, sliced green onion, fresh or pickled jalapeños, diced onion, hot sauce, sliced avocado, or guacamole. I love to have a buffet of toppings so everyone can choose their favorites. It’s absolutely delicious served with cornbread or homemade Hawaiian rolls.
How to Make Ahead and Store
This crockpot taco soup can be made up to 2 days in advance of when you plan to serve it. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to reheat. Store leftover crockpot taco soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze and Reheat
Freeze crockpot taco soup in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
How to Make Crockpot Taco Soup Step by Step
Add Everything to the Crockpot: Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add in 1 pound of ground beef and use a wooden spoon to break it up into pieces. Add in ½ of a diced onion. Cook the beef and onion for a few minutes until the meat is browned. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker, then add in 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth, 20 ounces (2 cans) of diced tomatoes with green chiles, 15 ounces (1 can) of tomato sauce, 14.5 ounces (1 can) of canned black beans, 2 cups of corn kernels, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook the Soup: Cook on high for 2-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. When cooking is complete, give the soup a stir. Garnish and Serve: Squeeze in the juice of one lime. Taste, and add more lime juice and/or salt if needed. Serve with chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips.
More Soup Recipes To Try
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Hash Brown Potato Soup 15-Minute Beer Cheese Soup Cabbage Soup Turkey Wild Rice Soup White Chicken Lasagna Soup Beef Tortilla Soup
