Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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In This Post

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Taco Soup Recipe
  • How To Make Taco Soup
  • Alternate Cooking Methods
  • Storage Instructions
  • Topping Ideas For Taco Soup Recipes
  • What To Serve With Taco Soup
  • Recommended Tools
  • Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!)Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

I’m always looking for new easy soup recipes to add to my rotation, and this easy taco soup recipe with ranch dressing is definitely a winner! I’ve combined my favorite taco seasoning recipe and my go-to ranch dressing recipe to create one of the best taco soup recipes… all with just 5 ingredients, but endless variations and toppings. If you enjoy the flavors in taco salad or taco casserole, make this dish your go-to when you want comfort food in a warm-bowl-of-soup form.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Taco Soup Recipe

  • Zesty taco taste
  • Balance of spicy and creamy flavors
  • Warm and comforting
  • Just 5 simple ingredients that are pantry staples
  • 20 minutes from stovetop to tabletop
  • Naturally healthy, low carb, and gluten free
  • Customizable with add-ins and toppings
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Taco Soup Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for 5 ingredient taco soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Ground Beef – I use 85/15 ground beef, but any kind works. You can also use ground turkey, shredded carne asada, ground chicken, or use shredded chicken for a chicken Mexican soup.
  • Taco Seasoning– I like to make my ownhomemade taco seasoning mix, which includes chili powder, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also buy a store-bought mix. If your spices don’t include salt, add 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of beef when cooking it and adjust to taste at the end as well.
  • Broth – I used homemade bone broth for extra nutrition in this taco soup recipe, but you can also use store-bought broth, either regular beef broth, beef bone broth, vegetable broth, or even chicken broth.
  • Diced Tomatoes – Use canned diced tomatoesand do not drain. You want the liquid from the cans. Fire roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, or a jar of salsa would be delicious, too.
  • Ranch Dressing– I used homemade ranch dressing (it takes 5 minutes!), but store-bought also works for convenience. If you don’t have any on hand and don’t want to make it, Greek yogurt would work as a substitute, but will have less flavor than using ranch.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

Variation: Add beans or corn!

As you can see, the base of this recipe for taco soup is super simple — just 5 ingredients. If you want to make it more hearty, add canned beans or corn in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Black beans are the most popular option, but you could also add pinto beans or kidney beans.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (4)

How To Make Taco Soup

This section shows how to make beef taco soup, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Brown beef. In the bottom of alarge potor large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain if desired.
  2. Season. Add taco seasoning and 3/4 cup of broth. Simmer until the liquid is mostly gone.
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
  1. Simmer. Add more broth, diced tomatoes (with liquid), and more taco seasoning. Stir together. Bring to a gentle boil and then simmer to let the flavors develop.
  2. Add ranch. Remove the taco soup recipe from heat. Stir in ranch dressing. Garnish with your favorite toppings — ideas below!
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (7)
Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

Alternate Cooking Methods

  • Crock Pot: To make Crock Pot taco soup, just brown the meat the same way as the stove method, and finish in the slow cooker on High for 1-2 hours or on Low for 3-4 hours. Stir in dressing just before serving.
  • Instant Pot: For Instant Pot taco soup, brown the beef using the Saute button. Add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cup of broth, and saute until the liquid evaporates. Close the lid, turn the knob to Sealing, and cook on high pressure (using the Manual button) for 5 minutes. Use the quick release, then stir in the ranch dressing, without any heat.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: The best way to store taco soup recipes is to allow them to cool completely before pouring into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: Prepare the recipe in advance, store in the fridge or freezer, and warm when ready to eat.
  • Reheat: Taco soup recipe leftovers can be reheated using the microwave, or on the stovetop over medium heat.

Can You Freeze Taco Soup?

Yes, most taco soup recipes can be frozen for up to 6 months, without any toppings. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or in a bag submerged in cold water, before reheating.

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (9)

Topping Ideas For Taco Soup Recipes

There are plenty of options for topping taco soup recipes, and I think toppings are the best part! Feel free to add anything you’d put on tacos. Here are a few of my favorite taco toppings:

  • Sour cream – Adds a cooling and creamy touch. Making taco soup with ranch dressing already mellows out the heat, but this recipe does have a lot of spicy taco seasoning, so sour cream helps cut the heat more.
  • Avocado – Add on its own, or make homemade guacamole for topping.
  • Chopped Cilantro – For a fresh and aromatic finish.
  • Onions – Finely chopped green, red, or yellow ones would all make great garnishes.
  • Peppers – Try sliced jalapenos or fresh chopped bell pepper.
  • Tortilla Chips – For a little crunch! You can use regular, or for a healthier option, your own. Sprinkle on top or serve on the side.
  • Cheese – I used shredded cheddar cheese, but you could also use Monterey jack or a Mexican blend as well.
  • Lime Wedges – A squeeze of lime juice at the end can add more flavor.

What To Serve With Taco Soup

If you add toppings, this taco soup recipe is enough for a one-pot meal all on its own. But if you want to add a little something, try these pairings:

Taco Slaw

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Taco Salad

  • Stock Pot – This stock pot is a great size for large family meals, including this easy taco soup.
  • Crock Pot – A ‘set it and forget it’ method of cooking that delivers rich and developed flavors that only happen with long cook times.
  • Instant Pot – This appliance pulls double duty as both a slow cooker and pressure cooker. You can use either function with this taco soup recipe.
  • Meat Chopper– My favorite tool for breaking up ground beef when browning.

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Recipe Card

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (15)

4.91 from 64 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!)

A 20-minute easy taco soup recipe with just 5 simple ingredients like ground beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes, and ranch. Endless topping ideas!

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 8 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. In the bottom of a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for about 7-10 minutes, until no longer pink. Drain if desired.

  2. Add 2 tablespoons (28 g) taco seasoning (2/3 of the total amount) and 3/4 cup (177 mL) of broth. Simmer for a couple of minutes, until the liquid is mostly gone.

  3. Add the remaining broth, diced tomatoes (with liquid), and remaining tablespoon of taco seasoning. Stir together. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat. Wait 2 minutes, then stir in the ranch dressing. If desired, garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories278

Fat21.7g

Protein14.9g

Total Carbs6.4g

Net Carbs4.5g

Fiber1.9g

Sugar2.7g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Main Course, Soup

Cuisine:Mexican

Keywords:keto taco soup, low carb taco soup

Calories: 278 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

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Easy Taco Soup Recipe (5 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

How do you thicken taco soup? You shouldn't need to thicken this taco soup—the meat and vegetables make it pretty chunky. If needed, you can add refried beans, other mashed beans or rice to thicken it up.

What is taco soup made of? ›

Cook onion and garlic until translucent, then brown the beef. Add taco seasoning, corn, beans, beef, canned tomato, beef or chicken broth, and canned green chili if you have it. Simmer for just 10 minutes to bring the flavours together, then it's ready to ladle into bowls.

How many carbs are in taco soup? ›

Nutrition Information
NutrientsAmount
Cholesterol28 mg
Sodium241 mg
Carbohydrates27 g
Dietary Fiber8 g
10 more rows

How to make taco soup less spicy? ›

Add Some Starches

The easiest way to tone down a spicy dish is to serve a smaller portion with plenty of rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, or plain starch to counter the heat. For soups and stews, raw and starchy vegetables like potatoes or carrots work well.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

Simmer for Longer

If you have the time, simmering your taco soup for a longer period can help to thicken it naturally. As the soup cooks, the liquid will reduce and evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency.

What is Mexican soup with blood in it? ›

It is probable that the source of the name fritada for the Guam dish came from a dish of the same name in Monterrey, Mexico where it refers to a stew made with the innards and blood of a young lamb. The origin of this Mexican dish is chanfaina from Extremadura, Spain.

What is a substitute for beef broth in tacos? ›

Vegetable Broth

Using this as a substitute for beef broth is a great way to add flavor to your dish. Vegetable broth from vegetable stock is a flavorful alternative that is perfect for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Add some bay leaves for a different flavor.

What soup has the least amount of carbs? ›

Low-carb soup recipes
  • Mushroom soup. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  • Soup maker broccoli and stilton soup. A star rating of 4.9 out of 5. ...
  • Cauliflower soup. A star rating of 4.3 out of 5. ...
  • Celery soup. ...
  • Soup maker mushroom soup. ...
  • Soup maker carrot and coriander soup. ...
  • Leek, pea & watercress soup. ...
  • Cabbage soup.

Does homemade soup have a lot of carbs? ›

Vegetable Soup Homemade (2 cups) contains 9g total carbs, 3g net carbs, 2g fat, 4g protein, and 80 calories.

How many calories are in a cup of homemade taco soup? ›

There are 197 calories in 1 cup of Taco Soup.

Can I add milk to soup? ›

Yes, you can definitely add cream to your soup. Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

What cancels out spicy in soup? ›

Add Acid: Acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar can help balance the heat. Start by adding small amounts and adjust to taste. Add Sweetness: Sweet ingredients like sugar, honey, or maple syrup can help counteract the spiciness. Again, add gradually and adjust to taste.

How do you thicken Mexican soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How to thicken taco soup without cornstarch? ›

Beans are not only a great addition to taco soup for their taste but also for their thickening properties. Mash a portion of the beans with a fork or potato masher and then add them back to the soup. The mashed beans will act as a natural thickening agent, making your taco soup heartier and more substantial.

What can you use instead of flour to thicken soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

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