Are you searching for a hearty, flavorful, and comforting soup that practically makes itself? This easy slow cooker taco soup is your answer! It’s absolutely perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Get ready for a customizable family favorite that everyone will request again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Effortless Preparation: This truly is a “dump and go” recipe. Just a little browning, then load your ingredients into the slow cooker, and let it do all the work.
- Rich Flavor: Enjoy a savory, well-spiced, and satisfying soup. The slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This versatile taco soup is loved by all ages, even picky eaters. It’s a guaranteed hit at family dinners or potlucks.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a large batch and enjoy delicious leftovers for days. It’s perfect for make-ahead meals and freezer storage. For guidelines on safe handling and storage of leftovers, consult trusted resources like the USDA food storage tips.
- Customizable: Offer a variety of toppings to let everyone personalize their bowl. The options are truly endless for this delightful meal.
Ingredients
This recipe for slow cooker taco soup uses simple, accessible ingredients you likely already have on hand. Gather these components for a truly satisfying meal.
Soup:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can chili beans
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream
- Corn chips (e.g., Fritos)
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped avocado
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adjust this taco soup recipe to fit your preferences or what you have available. For the ground meat, feel free to use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. If you don’t have fire-roasted tomatoes, regular diced tomatoes or Rotel work perfectly well. Adjust the spice level to your liking by choosing mild or hot diced green chiles. If you prefer, make your own homemade taco seasoning blend. Finally, pinto beans make an excellent substitution for chili beans if needed.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delicious slow cooker meal.
- Large nonstick skillet
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Basic kitchen utensils (knife, cutting board, spoon)
Instructions
Making this slow cooker taco soup couldn’t be simpler! Just follow these easy steps for a flavorful and comforting meal.
Prep Steps
First, crumble the ground beef into a large nonstick skillet. Place the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook the mixture until the ground beef is no longer pink, typically about 5 minutes, and the onions have softened. Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Transfer all of the cooked meat and onion mixture directly into the bowl of your 6-quart slow cooker.
Next, add all the remaining soup ingredients into the slow cooker. This includes the fire-roasted tomatoes, chili beans, black beans, tomato sauce, diced green chiles, frozen corn, taco seasoning packet, and low sodium chicken broth. Give everything a thorough stir until all the ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed. This ensures every spoonful of your taco soup is packed with flavor.
Cooking Times
Once all the ingredients are in the slow cooker and stirred, secure the lid firmly on top. You have two convenient options for cooking this amazing soup. Cook the soup on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, if you’re shorter on time, you can cook it on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. In either case, ensure the soup is heated through and bubbling gently before serving. The flavors will deepen and meld beautifully during this hands-off cooking process.
Serving
When the slow cooker taco soup is ready, ladle generous portions into individual serving bowls. Now comes the fun part: topping! Offer a variety of desired garnishes on the side, allowing everyone to customize their bowl. Serve the soup hot and enjoy your easy, homemade meal.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve the best possible slow cooker taco soup with these helpful tips. For a delightfully creamy soup, stir in about 2-4 ounces of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. To truly enhance the flavor, let the soup simmer a bit longer if your schedule allows; the longer it cooks, the more the flavors meld. Prevent over-salting by using low-sodium broth and adjusting the seasoning packet to taste, adding more only after tasting. This recipe easily doubles for batch cooking, perfect for feeding a crowd or for ample meal prep. Finally, don’t skip browning the meat and aromatics first; this crucial step adds significant depth of flavor to your ultimate taco soup. Understanding the Maillard reaction and flavor development helps explain how browning food develops rich, complex flavors.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile slow cooker taco soup offers many ways to enjoy it, store it, and even change it up!
Serving Suggestions
For a classic experience, top your soup with a generous sprinkle of shredded Mexican blend cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and some crunchy tortilla strips. To add freshness, garnish with diced avocado, a handful of fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime wedges. If you love heat, spice it up with sliced jalapeños or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. This soup also pairs wonderfully with warm cornbread or a crusty piece of bread for dipping.
Storage & Meal Prep
This taco soup is fantastic for meal prep! Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, transfer the cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 4 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or use the microwave for individual servings.
Variations
Easily adapt this recipe to suit different tastes or dietary needs. For a delicious chicken taco soup, use shredded cooked chicken instead of ground beef. To make it vegetarian, simply omit the meat and add extra beans and vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. If you prefer a spicier version, add an extra can of diced hot green chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot. No slow cooker? You can also make this using a stovetop method by simmering all ingredients in a large pot for about 30 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition
This slow cooker taco soup is a nutritious choice, offering a great balance of macronutrients. The approximate values provided below are per serving, without any added toppings. It is notably high in protein and fiber, keeping you feeling full and satisfied. This soup also provides essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy diet.
| Nutrient | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 223 | kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 31 | g |
| Protein | 18 | g |
| Fat | 3 | g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 | g |
| Cholesterol | 28 | mg |
| Sodium | 874 | mg |
| Potassium | 700 | mg |
| Fiber | 8 | g |
| Sugar | 6 | g |
| Vitamin A | 712 | IU |
| Vitamin C | 11 | mg |
| Calcium | 67 | mg |
| Iron | 4 | mg |
FAQ
- Can I use frozen ground beef? Always brown your ground beef first for the best flavor and texture. Do not add frozen ground beef directly to the slow cooker.
- Is this soup spicy? This soup is generally mild as written. Adjust the type of green chiles (mild to hot) or add extra cayenne for more heat.
- What size slow cooker is best? A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, providing ample space for all ingredients.
- How can I thicken the soup? To thicken your slow cooker taco soup, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot or stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes.
- Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, or even sweet potatoes work well. Add them at the beginning with the other ingredients.
Conclusion
This easy slow cooker taco soup truly delivers on both deliciousness and simplicity. It’s an incredibly hearty, comforting meal that will quickly become a regular in your family’s dinner rotation. Perfect for any day of the week, it lets you enjoy a flavorful homemade meal with minimal effort. Give this fantastic recipe a try and share your delicious feedback with us!
Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup Recipe: A Family Favorite
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, then drain any excess grease.
- Transfer the cooked meat mixture to your slow cooker. Stir in the fire roasted tomatoes, chili beans, black beans, tomato sauce, green chiles, corn, taco seasoning, and chicken broth until all ingredients are well combined.
- Place the lid on top and cook the soup for 6-8 hours on low heat, or 3-4 hours on high heat. Serve the prepared taco soup with your favorite optional toppings.