Cody Casey
Taco soup is a quick and easy meal to prepare in a crock pot, perfect for busy weeknights. It's a hearty and comforting meal, packed with flavour, and can be made as mild or spicy as you like. The soup can be topped with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro, and served with quesadillas on the side. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to your taste and is sure to be a family favourite.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cookware | Crock pot/slow cooker |
| Ingredients | Ground beef, onion, garlic, chilli beans, kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, green chilli peppers, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, cumin, dried cilantro, chilli powder, beef broth, chicken broth, vegetable broth, olive oil, cream cheese |
| Toppings | Sour cream, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, crushed Cool Ranch Doritos, fresh cilantro, green onion, jalapeños, hot sauce, quesadillas, Fritos |
| Time | 3-8 hours |
| Temperature | High or low |
| Calories | 223kcal |
| Leftovers | Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-4 months |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients: beef, beans, tomatoes, and more
Taco soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for busy days and lazy weekends alike. It is easy to make, customisable, and can be loaded with your favourite taco toppings. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make taco soup in a crock pot, with a focus on the beef, beans, tomatoes, and other key components:
Beef
For the beef, you will need ground beef or, alternatively, ground turkey or turkey breast. It is best to brown the beef in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This adds depth of flavour to the soup and ensures the beef is cooked through. You can crumble or break up the beef as it cooks, and drain the excess grease before transferring it to the crock pot.
Beans
Two types of beans are typically used in taco soup: one can of chili beans (kidney beans with added spices) and one can of black beans. However, you can customise this based on your preference. For example, you could use pinto beans or substitute a type of bean if you are allergic or don't like a particular variety. Draining and rinsing the beans before adding them to the crock pot can help reduce the sodium content of the soup.
Tomatoes
Both crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes can be used in taco soup. You can also use tomato sauce, which comes in small eight-ounce cans. If you want to add even more flavour, you can substitute Rotel tomatoes or Rotel with green chiles for the diced tomatoes.
Other Ingredients
Other key ingredients in taco soup include corn, green chiles, taco seasoning, and broth or water. For corn, you can use either frozen or canned corn, ensuring that it is drained. Canned diced green chiles are also used, and you can choose the spice level, from mild to hot, depending on your preference. One packet or about three tablespoons of taco seasoning is typically added, but you can adjust this to your taste. Finally, chicken or beef broth is used, with low-sodium options being preferable to reduce the salt content.
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Cooking method: browning beef, adding ingredients, slow cooking
To make taco soup in a crock pot, start by browning the ground beef in a skillet. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain the grease. Next, add the beef to the crock pot, along with the remaining ingredients. These can include chopped onions, canned corn, canned black beans, canned diced tomatoes, canned diced green chilies, minced garlic, beef broth, and various seasonings. You can also add a packet of ranch seasoning and stir everything together. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Before browning the beef, you can heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. After adding the beef, you can then add the onions and garlic and cook until the beef is completely browned. Drain any excess oil or grease, and then add the taco seasoning. You can also add the taco seasoning after transferring the beef to the crock pot.
The great thing about taco soup is that you can customise it to your taste preferences. If you like your soup spicy, use hot taco seasoning and tomatoes with hot green chilies. You can also add your favourite hot sauce. If you prefer a milder soup, opt for homemade taco seasoning and regular canned tomatoes with green chilies.
You can also make this soup in a vegetarian or vegan-friendly way by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth.
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Seasoning: mild or spicy, with taco seasoning
Taco soup can be made mild or spicy, depending on your preference. If you like your soup mild, use homemade taco seasoning and regular canned tomatoes with green chiles. You can also use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth for the liquid. If you're making the soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
If you prefer your soup spicy, use a hot and spicy taco seasoning and tomatoes with hot green chiles. You can also add freshly chopped jalapeno peppers, or your favourite hot sauce, for extra heat. For a spicier soup, you can also use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular canned tomatoes.
You can also make your own taco seasoning by adding a good shake of chili powder, oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
Finally, you can make your taco soup creamy by adding cream cheese. Stir in 3-4 ounces of cream cheese after the soup is done cooking, and the residual heat will melt the cheese.
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Toppings: cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips
When it comes to toppings, cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips are classic choices for taco soup. You can shred or crumble the cheese and sprinkle it over the soup, along with chopped green onions or scallions. A dollop of sour cream adds a tangy creaminess to the soup, and you can also add some fresh cilantro for extra flavour.
Tortilla chips provide a crunchy contrast to the soup. You can use crushed tortilla chips, tortilla strips, or even Cool Ranch Doritos for a unique flavour. If you prefer a different type of chip, Fritos are another tasty option to consider.
For an extra indulgent touch, you can add a block of cream cheese to make the soup creamy. Simply stir in 3-4 ounces of cream cheese after the soup is done cooking, and the residual heat will melt it smoothly.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with other toppings as well. You can set out a variety of options and let everyone customise their soup to their liking. Some other popular choices include hot sauce, sliced jalapenos, and pickled or fresh onions.
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Storage: refrigerate or freeze leftovers
Storing your leftover taco soup is straightforward. If you plan to eat it within the next few days, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. If you don't think you'll get through all your leftovers within this time, you can freeze it. Portion the soup into single servings and place them in freezer bags or airtight containers. This way, your taco soup will last for 2-3 months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat it, thaw the soup in the fridge and simmer on the stove until it's warm.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ground beef, onion, garlic, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, corn, and water. You can also add in some chili beans, kidney beans, green chile peppers, and beef broth.
You can cook taco soup on a high setting for 3-4 hours or on a low setting for 6-8 hours.
You can make your taco soup spicier by using hot taco seasoning, hot sauce, and diced jalapenos or green chilies.
Popular toppings for taco soup include shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and green onions.
