Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired taco soup delivers comfort and bold flavors in one delicious bowl. Packed with ground beef, beans, and zesty spices, this quick and satisfying meal brings southwestern warmth to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (4 oz) (113g) chopped green chiles
Canned and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 cups (946ml) beef or chicken broth or stock
- 1 (15 oz) (432g) corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) (425g) chili beans in chili sauce
- 1 (28 oz) (793g) crushed tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, thoroughly brown ground beef with onions until meat loses its pink hue and onions become translucent, approximately 7-8 minutes, ensuring deep caramelization for enhanced flavor profile.
- Introduce minced garlic to the beef mixture, stirring continuously for 2 minutes while preventing scorching, which can create unpleasant bitter undertones.
- Incorporate broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, and complementary spices into the pot, blending ingredients meticulously to distribute flavors evenly.
- Elevate mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat, cover pot, and allow ingredients to meld together for 15 minutes, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
- Conduct a comprehensive taste evaluation, adjusting seasonings as needed – potentially enhancing with additional cumin or chili powder for more robust flavor dimensions.
- If soup appears overly concentrated, incrementally introduce extra broth to achieve desired consistency, ensuring a balanced and satisfying texture.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, or crisp tortilla strips to elevate the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Brown meats thoroughly to develop a rich, deep flavor profile that elevates the entire soup’s taste.
- Avoid burning garlic by adding it later in the cooking process and stirring constantly to prevent bitter undertones.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and cumin according to personal heat preferences or dietary needs.
- Make this soup more diet-friendly by substituting ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based protein crumbles for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg