Zesty One-Pot Taco Soup

Okay, mamas, let’s talk about dinner. We all know that feeling: 5 PM rolls around, the kids are suddenly starving (even though they just had a snack, right?), and your husband is asking “What’s for dinner?” before he’s even through the door. That’s when you need a recipe like this Easy Taco Soup – and thanks to our friends at Zoup! for helping bring this recipe to life!

This isn’t just *any* taco soup. This is a hearty, flavor-packed bowl of deliciousness that’s made with premium beef bone broth, perfectly seasoned ground beef, a colorful array of veggies, and just the right amount of Mexican spices. Think of it as a love child between your favorite tacos and a comforting bowl of chili. It’s the ultimate weeknight win!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Cost estimate: $15-$20 (depending on the cost of beef)

Serves: 6-8 hungry people (or fewer, if your kids are like mine and go back for seconds… and thirds!)

The Magic of Taco Soup: Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seriously, what’s not to love? This Easy Taco Soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a chilly evening, and it’s so easy to customize to your family’s tastes. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some extra veggies into those picky eaters (don’t worry, I won’t tell them!).

This version is extra special because we use Zoup! Beef Bone Broth as the base. Have you tried it? It’s seriously amazing! So flavorful, you could sip it straight from the jar (and sometimes, I totally do!).

Did you know? The team behind Zoup! Broth has been serving up delicious soups at Zoup! Eatery (now Z!Eats) for over 20 years. They know their stuff when it comes to creating the perfect broth! Their broths are kettle-cooked in small batches and are free of artificial ingredients, preservatives, gluten, and GMOs. Win-win

Zoup! also makes Culinary Concentrates™ and super-premium, shelf-stable soups in amazing flavors, like Chicken Potpie and Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage – perfect for those nights when you *really* don’t feel like cooking.

Okay, enough gushing about broth (though, seriously, it’s good!). Let’s get to the ingredients that make this taco soup sing!

Ingredients: The Taco Soup Dream Team

Here’s the lineup for our star-studded taco soup cast:

• Ground Beef: 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef. I like to use lean so I don’t have to drain as much grease, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. You can easily swap this out for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, diced. Because every good soup starts with a good onion!
• Jalapeños: 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped. Adjust to your spice preference! If you’re making this for little ones (or spice-averse husbands!), you can omit them entirely or use a milder pepper like poblano. Tip: Wear gloves when handling jalapeños, and don’t touch your eyes!
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves garlic, minced. Because garlic makes everything better. It’s just a fact.
• Taco Seasoning: 2 tablespoons. You can use a store-bought packet, or make your own (recipe below!). Homemade is often lower in sodium and you can adjust the spices to your liking.
• Zoup! Beef Bone Broth: 32 ounces. The star of the show! This adds a depth of flavor you just can’t get with water or regular broth.
• Black Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed.
• Pinto Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed. I like the combo of black and pinto, but you can use any beans you like! Kidney beans, great northern beans, or even chickpeas would work.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: 1 (14.5-ounce) can, petite diced, undrained.
• Canned Tomatoes with Green Chilies (Rotel): 1 (10-ounce) can, undrained. These add a little extra zip! If you’re sensitive to spice, you can use regular diced tomatoes instead.
• Tomato Sauce: 8 ounces. This helps thicken the soup and adds a nice tomato flavor.
• Frozen Sweet Corn: 1 cup. This adds a touch of sweetness and a pop of color.
• Fresh Cilantro: 1/4 cup, chopped. For garnish! (And because cilantro is amazing.) If you’re one of those people who thinks cilantro tastes like soap, feel free to substitute with parsley.
• Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, tortilla chips… the sky’s the limit!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat!)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. You’ll have plenty leftover for future taco nights!

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Don’t worry, this isn’t a complicated recipe. Even if you’re a beginner cook, you can totally nail this! Here’s how:

1. 1. Brown the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil (or your favorite cooking oil). Add the ground beef, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. You want it to be browned and cooked through. Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pot! If you’re using a lot of beef, you may need to brown it in batches.

1. 1. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion and jalapeño to the pot with the cooked beef. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent. This step builds a base of flavor that will make your soup extra delicious.

1. 1. Garlic Power: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for just one more minute. Important: Don’t burn the garlic! Burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin the flavor of your soup.

1. 1. Spice It Up: Add the taco seasoning (either store-bought or homemade) to the pot and stir to coat the beef and veggies. Cook for about 30 seconds, allowing the spices to bloom and release their aromas.

1. 1. Soup’s On!: Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, black beans, pinto beans, and Zoup! Beef Bone Broth. Stir to combine everything.

1. 1. Simmer and Sweeten: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 15 minutes, add the frozen corn and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the corn is heated through.

1. 1. Taste and Adjust: Give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, chili powder, or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten it up.

1. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite toppings! Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, cilantro, tortilla chips… go wild!

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Taco Soup

This taco soup is pretty much a complete meal in itself, but if you want to add a little something on the side, here are some ideas:

• Cheesy Jalapeño Beer Bread: The perfect savory accompaniment.
• Caribbean Cornbread: A touch of sweetness to balance the spice.
• Simple Salad: A light and refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
• Quesadillas: Because who doesn’t love quesadillas?

And don’t forget the toppings! A generous sprinkle of toppings takes this soup from good to *amazing*.

• Tortilla chips or tortilla strips: For crunch!
• Shredded cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
• Sour cream: For creaminess and tang.
• Diced avocado: Healthy fats and delicious flavor.
• Fresh chopped cilantro: For freshness.
• Fresh chopped tomatoes: For sweetness and acidity.
• Chopped green onions: For a mild onion flavor.
• Sliced or diced jalapeños: For extra heat.
• Lime wedges: A squeeze of lime juice brightens up the flavors.

Leftovers? No Problem! Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is unlikely, but possible!), you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This soup actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have a chance to meld together.

You can also freeze this Taco Soup for up to 3 months in an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat:

• Stovetop: Place the soup in a pot over medium heat, add a splash of broth or water if needed to thin it out, and stir occasionally until heated through.
• Microwave: Use a microwave-safe bowl, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of broth or water if needed.

Mix It Up: Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is super versatile! Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations:

• Protein Power: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
• Bean Bonanza: Use different canned beans like kidney beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, or even chickpeas.
• Spice It Up (or Down): Add more fresh jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat. If you’re making it for kids, omit the jalapeños altogether or use a milder pepper. You can also use a mild taco seasoning.
• Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly: Skip the beans and corn, and use extra meat and veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower rice.
• Vegetarian/Vegan: Omit the ground beef and use plant-based crumbles or just add more beans and veggies. Make sure to use a vegetable broth instead of beef bone broth.
• Slow Cooker Sensation: Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add it to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients (except for the corn and cilantro). Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the corn and cilantro during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Taco Soup Takeaway: Comfort Food at its Finest

This Easy Taco Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a spoonful of comfort in every bite! It’s quick, easy, customizable, and perfect for busy weeknights, game days, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. With its rich, zesty flavors and endless topping possibilities, this taco soup is sure to become a family favorite. So go ahead, grab your pot, and get cooking! Your family will thank you for it (and your husband might even do the dishes!).