Easy Taco Soup: A Beginner’s Guide to a Flavorful One-Pot Meal

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef or ground chicken
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (946ml) beef or chicken broth
• 1 can (15 oz/432g) corn, drained
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) chili beans in chili sauce
• 1 can (28 oz/793g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (4 oz/113g) chopped green chiles
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon each dried oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder
• Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Stovetop Version ---

2. 2

   Brown the meat: Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onions, cooking until the meat is no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Stir occasionally to break up the meat. Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

3. 3

   Combine ingredients: Pour in the broth, followed by the drained corn, black beans, chili beans (including the sauce), crushed tomatoes, and green chiles. Stir well to combine.

4. 4

   Season the soup: Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly.

5. 5

   Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you have extra time, allow it to simmer for 30 minutes to develop a richer flavor.

6. 6

   Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, or fresh cilantro.

7. 7

   --- Slow Cooker Version ---

8. 8

   Prepare the slow cooker: If you want a hands-off approach, place the raw ground beef at the bottom of the slow cooker and break it into small chunks. If preferred, you can brown the meat separately on the stovetop before adding it.

9. 9

   Add the ingredients: Pour in the broth, corn, black beans, chili beans, crushed tomatoes, green chiles, and all the seasonings. Stir to combine everything evenly.

10. 10

    Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.

11. 11

    Serve: Once the soup is fully cooked, stir it well and serve hot with your favorite toppings.