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Quick 20-Minute Ground Beef Taco Soup

ground beef taco soup - featured image

A fast, comforting weeknight dinner that combines browned ground beef with classic taco flavors in a rich, savory broth. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon oil (optional, if using lean beef)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1 carton (32 oz) chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add oil if necessary, then add diced onion and cook until translucent and soft (about 3 minutes).
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for the last 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains and meat is browned (about 5 minutes). Drain excess grease if desired, but leave some for flavor.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and stir to coat. Let it toast for about 30 seconds to release oils.
  5. Pour in undrained diced tomatoes, rinsed black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release browned bits.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream or sour cream and fresh lime juice.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve with desired garnishes.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan when browning beef to ensure proper searing. Toasting the spices before adding liquid enhances flavor. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth. If using lean turkey, add extra oil to prevent dryness. Rinse beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and slime.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco soup, ground beef soup, quick dinner, weeknight meals, easy soup, comfort food, gluten-free