Rich & Hearty Southern Taco Soup Recipe
Think of walking into a cozy home and being met with the luscious aroma of warm soup wafting from the kitchen. Your body warms up at the thought, and your appetite starts to rev up. I’m here to bring that experience right into your kitchen with my delicious Southern Taco Soup Recipe.
This is a recipe that will knock your socks off. When it’s simmering away on the stove or cooking slowly in your slow cooker, your appetite will be in overdrive, and you won’t be able to wait for it to be done.
Over the years, I’ve found that any meal can become amazing when transformed into soup. That’s why I created this twist on traditional taco soup. This recipe has everything: juicy ground beef, flavorful seasonings, hearty beans, sweet tomatoes, spicy green chilies, and more all nestled together into one bowl.
So go ahead and add this taste of the South to your menu. It’ll make you want to curl up on the couch and savor each savory spoonful. Consider this recipe your ticket to an easy, delicious meal that’s perfect for those busy weeknights or chilly evenings- guaranteed to leave everyone satisfied and asking for more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ladies and gentlemen, let me convince you why you’ll fall head over heels in love with this Southern Taco Soup Recipe. Picture this: a piping hot bowl of soup filled to the brim with juicy ground beef, savory taco seasoning, and plenty of hearty beans – kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans – along with sweet corn and spicy green chilies. Are you salivating yet?
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe: it’s quick and easy to make, so you can whip it up on a weeknight when time is tight. All you need is two pounds of ground beef, some canned ingredients such as diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and a few spices.
But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This soup packs a punch of flavor that will have your taste buds doing the tango. The combination of spices like cumin and garlic powder along with taco seasoning mix makes for a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Even better, it’s hearty enough to be served as a main course or a side dish.
Plus, this recipe is versatile! You can adjust the spice level up or down based on your preferences or dietary needs. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some ranch dressing mix to create a Texas-style taco soup. Or substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a lighter version that still delivers on taste.
Trust me when I say that this Southern Taco Soup Recipe is not one to miss out on. It’s an old-fashioned recipe that belongs in every home cook’s arsenal – one that will have your family begging for seconds (and maybe even thirds!). Give it a try and discover why it’s become a staple in Southern living.
Ingredient List
Here’s what you need to make Southern Taco Soup recipe:
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (can substitute with ground chuck)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (16 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 small can (4 oz) green chilies
- 2 cans (15.25 oz each) whole kernel corn
Seasoning Mix
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
For Garnish (Optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped fresh cilantro
All of the ingredients are readily available in grocery stores. You may also use fresh corn, but canned is more convenient and has a longer shelf life. In addition, the taco seasoning mix gives this soup its Southern flair while the ranch dressing mix adds tanginess to its flavor.
The Recipe How-To
Here’s the step-by-step process on how to make this Southern Taco Soup recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (16 oz) pinto beans
- 1 can (16 oz) kidney beans
- 1 can (16 oz) black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) whole kernel corn
- 1 can (4 oz) green chilies
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 small can of tomato sauce
Directions
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In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion for about 5-7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink.
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Add in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
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Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, pinto beans, drained and rinsed kidney beans, rinsed and drained black beans, whole kernel corn, and undrained canned green chilies.
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Add in taco seasoning and a small can of tomato sauce.
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Give everything a good stir, turn heat to low, and allow to simmer for at least 20-25 minutes so that all flavors are combined.
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Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro or tortilla chips!
Now that you have successfully completed making this delicious Southern style Taco Soup recipe, you can now enjoy it with your loved ones or savor it as a comforting meal all by yourself!
Substitutions and Variations
As with any recipe, you may want to switch things up a bit or cater to the dietary needs of your family and friends. The great thing about this Southern Taco Soup Recipe is that it’s very versatile and can be easily adapted according to your liking.
For example, if you’re vegetarian, you can swap the ground beef for plant-based options like Beyond Meat or replace the meat altogether with more beans such as black or chickpeas. Another alternative is to use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
If you prefer spicier food, you can adjust the heat level by adding more jalapenos or red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with different types of chilies such as chipotle or poblano to achieve a different flavor profile.
For those who are watching their calorie intake, you can simply cut back on some of the ingredients, like using low-fat cheese or reducing the amount of sour cream in the toppings.
To make it more hearty, you can add extra ingredients such as corn chips, avocado, sour cream, lettuce or red onion in addition to the original ingredients. You can also mix up the beans and use just one variety of bean instead of all three varieties.
Remember that cooking is all about making it your own and experimenting with what works for you and your family. So don’t be afraid to get creative with this Southern Taco Soup Recipe!
Serving and Pairing
After all the effort and love that you put into cooking this delicious Southern Taco Soup, it’s essential to consider how you will serve and pair it with other dishes. This soup is perfect for a laid-back family dinner or a casual supper with your friends. You can also serve it as an appetizer before you have your main course, like grilled chicken or tacos.
The Southern Taco Soup is already comfort food on its own, but if you want to jazz it up a bit, add some toppings to increase its flavor and texture. This soup happily accommodates sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, chopped jalapeño peppers or cilantro, diced avocado, or fresh lime wedges. These toppings make the dish more fulfilling and tasty.
When pairing wine with this soup, choose one that complements its bold and spicy flavors. A red Zinfandel or bold Cabernet Sauvignon will be perfect for this recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer beer over wine, go for Mexican cerveza such as Corona, Dos Equis or Modelo.
Finally, serving the Southern Taco Soup in bowls will give your presentation that rustic feel that emphasizes the warm goodness of this soup. Add some cornbread muffins, southern-style biscuits or crusty bread on the side to further enhance the cozy charm of the meal. Trust me; after all this hard work in the kitchen, serving a flavorful meal surely brings joy and satisfaction to everyone’s bellies!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
When it comes to making and storing the Southern Taco Soup, there are a few tips you want to keep in mind. First, if you’re planning on making this soup ahead of time, it’s best to make the soup base without the toppings and store them separately. This will prevent the toppings from getting soggy and keep everything nice and fresh.
To store your leftover soup, you can transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. When reheating the soup, you can do so in a pot on low heat or in individual microwave-safe containers. Be sure to stir occasionally to ensure that the soup heats up evenly.
If you’re planning on freezing the soup, we recommend freezing just the soup base without any of the toppings. To do this, let the soup cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. The frozen soup can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
When reheating frozen soup, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator before heating it up on low heat in a pot or individual microwave-safe containers. Feel free to add your favorite toppings once heated.
Overall, this easy taco soup recipe is perfect for meal prep and makes for delicious leftovers. By following these storage tips, you’ll be able to enjoy this hearty Southern Taco Soup whenever you want.
Tips for Perfect Results
My experience in Southern cuisine has taught me a lot about making delicious meals. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Southern Taco Soup:
– Use high-quality ingredients. This is especially important when it comes to the meat. Choose a good quality ground beef with a higher fat content like 80/20 instead of going for lean beef, which can lead to dry and flavorless dish.
– Don’t be afraid to add your personal touch. Adding a bit of lime or zest of lime will brighten up the flavor. You might also try using hot and spicy sauce to give it a little kick.
– Allow the soup to simmer on low heat for at least 30 minutes, but no more than an hour. This helps all the flavors come together perfectly and creates depth in the soup.
– Conserve the juices from canned vegetables or use them as stock if you do decide to substitute fresh for canned ingredients.
– Drain and rinse beans before you adding them into your soup recipe to prevent excess sodium or sugars from adding extra weight.
– To create thicker creamier texture for your taco soup sauce, blend together half of your kidney bean contents into your broth or base.
– Make sure not to overfill your slow cooker when making slow-cooked soups. In most cases, filling no more than two-thirds of the way ensures that there’s enough room for everything to cook properly.
– When reheating, make sure to do so over low heat while stirring periodically until fully warmed back up . Do not reheat too rapidly or over high heat as it can cause splitting in any creams or milk products used in this recipe.
By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that every time you prepare Southern Taco Soup recipe, it comes out perfect!
Bottom Line
Now that you have all the details of this delicious Southern Taco Soup recipe, I urge you to give it a try. It is quick and easy to make, satisfying, and full of flavor! Whether you are hosting a family gathering, looking for an easy weeknight meal, or just craving some comfort food, this recipe won’t disappoint.
And if you think that taco soup is not your thing, let me tell you – this recipe will change your mind. The combination of corn, green chilies, pinto beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onion, ground beef, and taco seasoning creates a taste explosion that will make your taste buds dance.
Trust me when I say that this soup is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for potlucks or large family gatherings. So make sure you have enough to go around!
In conclusion, this Southern-style Taco Soup recipe has all the ingredients to make it a staple in your kitchen. It’s easy to make and customize to
Southern Taco Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
- 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can green chilies
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and saute' onion along with it. Drain.
- Combine all other ingredients in large saucepan and add ground beef and onion when done. Simmer for 45 minutes. Add the can of corn and simmer for 15 more minutes.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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