Easy Taco Soup Recipe

By Rena Awada | Updated On November 23, 2023

This delicious Taco Soup Recipe is quick & easy to make and loaded with seasoned ground turkey, diced tomato, black beans, chickpeas, and corn. It’s perfect for meal prep or family dinner and can be ready in less than 30 minutes! Top with avocado, cheese, and fresh cilantro!

Taco soup topped with cilantro and served in a white bowl.


All the deliciousness of tacos in a cozy, comforting soup. This Taco Soup Recipe is easy to make with very little prep work, and it might even be better than the traditional version! Perfect to serve as your main dish for a light dinner or serve as a side dish. This soup is so tasty and comforting with the right amount of spices.

If you like Mexican-inspired soup dishes, then you have to try our Chicken Enchilada Soup. It is a winner we promise.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Quick & easy: Need dinner in a hurry? This easy taco soup can be made from start to finish in 25 minutes.
  • So tasty: If you’ve never enjoyed taco soup, especially one that’s homemade, you are in for a treat! It uses simple ingredients but simmers into a bold, rich, and comforting soup.
  • Family-friendly: This is a total family favorite! Everyone loves it and each person can customize this meal to their own tastes with the toppings they add to their own bowl.
Woman's hand holding a bowl of soup with ground turkey, black beans and cheese.

Ingredients needed

This taco soup recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen and pantry. Here’s the lineup:

  • Ground turkey: We recommend using 93% ground turkey, which is a blend of both breast and thigh meat. The 99% lean ground turkey breast dries out quickly and is not as flavorful.
  • Onion + Garlic: Major flavor boosters!
  • Spices: Use your favorite packet blend or homemade taco seasoning and an extra teaspoon of chili powder.
  • Chicken stock: We recommend using low-sodium chicken stock because then you can control the sodium. Everyone’s salt preferences are different. Chicken broth works fine too.
  • Diced tomatoes: For a nice, deep, smoky flavor, try fire-roasted tomatoes.
  • Beans: The addition of black beans and chickpeas makes this super satisfying and hearty. You can sub with kidney or pinto beans if you’d like.
  • Corn. Mexican-style or fiesta corn is great in taco soup, but add any corn you’d like – fresh, frozen, or canned.
  • Toppings: Serve this soup buffet style with topping options and let everyone fix their dinner just how they want it! We love chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.
Raw ground turkey, beans and tomatoes divided into small bowls.

How to make this ground turkey taco soup

  • Brown turkey: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or a large soup pot. Add turkey, salt, and pepper, and cook while mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
  • Combine additional ingredients: Once the meat is no longer pink, stir in the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, add toppings of choice and enjoy.

Expert Tips

Even though this recipe is really quite simple, here are a few tips.

  • Any preferred ground meat will work in this recipe. However, be aware that if you’re using ground beef with a higher fat content, you’ll want to drain off any excess grease after it’s cooked.
  • To save a bit of time and effort, buy pre-cut onion from the produce department or the frozen food aisle. You can also buy jarred minced garlic.
  • We love the combination of two types of beans, but if you only have one variety of beans on hand, the soup will still be great that way.
  • If you’re sensitive to spice, be sure to use a mild packet of taco seasoning.
  • Double the recipe. This is fabulous for crowds (everyone loves it) and can be easily doubled. Leftovers are amazing too!
  • Taste and be sure to add salt to your soup, as preferred. The saltiness of the broth, canned ingredients, taco seasoning, and personal preferences for salt all vary, so add salt in increments and taste until it’s just enough for you.

Frequently asked questions

What are the ingredients for taco soup?

Most taco soup recipes contain ground beef or turkey, onion, diced tomato, beans, corn, and taco seasoning.

What’s the difference between tortilla soup and taco soup?

Tortilla soup is more broth based with a thinner consistency, and taco soup is a bit heartier (similar to a chili consistency), and typically includes both beans and meat with classic taco seasonings for flavor.

What goes with taco soup?

We love to serve this with tortilla chips or homemade jalapeño skillet cornbread. To keep things on the lighter side, pair it with a fresh, green salad. Simply toss mixed greens with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add toppings to your salad such as red onion, cherry tomatoes, and/or croutons.

Storage recommendations

  • Storing: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will last about 4 to 5 days, making it great for meal prep.
  • Freezing: To freeze, place it in freezer-safe containers or resealable gallon-sized freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat it on medium heat on the stovetop. You can also reheat it for about 2 minutes in the microwave.
A taco soup recipe served with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

More soup recipes

Other recipes you may like

top view taco soup in a white bowl

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top view taco soup in a white bowl

Taco Soup Recipe

This delicious Taco Soup Recipe is quick & easy to make and loaded with seasoned ground turkey, diced tomato, black beans, chickpeas, and corn. It's perfect for meal prep or family dinner and can be ready in less than 30 minutes! Top with avocado, cheese, and fresh cilantro!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican, tex mex
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 202kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp chili powder or to taste
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • Optional toppings: chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a dutch oven or a large soup pot. Add turkey, salt, and pepper, and cook while mincing the meat with a wooden spoon.
  • Once the meat is no longer pink, stir in the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve the soup hot and add toppings of choice.

Notes

Storage recommendations

  • Storing: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It will last about 4 to 5 days, making it great for meal prep.
  • Freezing: To freeze, place it in freezer-safe containers or resealable gallon-sized freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat it on medium heat on the stovetop. You can also reheat it for about 2 minutes in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
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