The next time you are tasked with feeding a large group, might I suggest a triple batch of Taco Soup? It’s an easy, delicious, and quick budget meal everyone will love!
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A budget-friendly dinner done in just 10 minutes!
I’m not precisely sure what it is about many Mexican-inspired recipes that allow them to taste so good for so little dinero, but this easy taco soup is the concept incarnate.
A mere read of the ingredients—white beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices—may leave you skeptical, but trust me, it is excellent!
This taco soup boasts a tantalizing Southwest flavor (like this Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup), and the lovely contrast of the creamy beans with the crunchy chips pleases with every bite.
While this taco soup is by no means comparable to a truly authentic Mexican recipe or a stew that has been simmering on the stove all day, when you are looking for a quick, healthy, and tasty meal, it is hard to find a recipe better suited for the task (although, this Vegetarian Chili is equally as wonderful).
5 Star Review
“Made this for dinner last night. It was delicious and so easy to make!”
— Sharice —
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- White Beans. Packed with protein and loaded with fiber, the white beans make this easy taco soup filling and satisfying. (They’re also my secret ingredient in this Mexican-inspired Breakfast Quesadilla.)
- Diced Tomatoes. Lend this simple soup bold and robust tomato flavor. Try fire-roasted tomatoes for a little extra heat and depth if you’d like some extra pizzaz.
- Mexican Corn. While fresh or frozen corn is usually my preference (like in this Grilled Corn Salad), in this case, canned Mexican corn is a great option since it contributes tons of extra flavor without needing to spend extra cash.
- Water. When preparing soup on a budget, water is the obvious choice for a cooking liquid because it’s FREE. Plus it’s calorie-free and sodium-free too!.
- Parsley. Adds color and freshness.
- Spices. Other taco soups often call for a packet of taco seasoning or ranch powder. While delicious, they’re often packed with sodium. Instead, this recipe calls for a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Taco Soup Toppings
Here’s where you can make this easy taco soup your own. Garnish your bowl with your favorite taco fixins. Keep things simple and affordable or splurge and load up on all the good things your taco-loving heart desires.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Cilantro or Green Onions
- Diced Avocado
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
- Sliced Jalapenos
Recipe Variations
- Taco Soup with Ground Beef or Turkey. If you like, you can sauté lean ground beef or ground turkey on the side, pat it dry, then stir it into the soup at the end. (Or try this Healthy Turkey Chili.)
- Taco Soup with Chicken. Stir in some cooked, shredded chicken to the soup while it simmers. Here’s How to Cook Shredded Chicken.
- Taco Soup with Black Beans. Swap the white beans for black beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This taco soup recipe is not spicy. As it is written, the recipe is relatively mild. If you want to add some extra heat, you can add a bit of cayenne pepper to the soup, diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, or garnish with jalapeno pepper slices.
Yes. This easy taco soup recipe is 100% vegan so long as you skip topping it with cheese, yogurt, or sour cream.
I have not tried this recipe with fresh tomatoes, and I don’t think I would recommend it. Canned tomatoes are more robustly flavored than fresh and provide extra moisture—necessary so the soup has enough liquid. If you choose to experiment and make this taco soup with fresh tomatoes, let me know how it goes in the comments.
I have not made this recipe in a slow cooker. However, I think it could be easily adapted to work in one. Simply add the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook (on low or high) until warmed through. This Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is another Mexican-inspired slow cooker favorite you could try.
Taco Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 cans Great Northern Beans (14-ounce cans) rinsed and drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes in their juices (28 ounces)
- 1 can Mexican-style corn (14 ounces) drained
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- Toppings: Crushed tortilla chips freshly grated cheese (I like sharp cheddar), sour cream or plain non-fat Greek yogurt, freshly chopped cilantro, avocado
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large, deep soup pot over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Continue heating until warmed through. Taste, adding additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
- TO STORE: This easy taco soup may be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container.
- TO FREEZE: Store easy taco soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before heating.
- TO REHEAT: Warm chilled soup on the stovetop until heated through. You may also warm in the microwave for several minutes until steaming.
Looking forward to trying this. Have you ever incorporated a meat? if so, any suggestions?
Hi Leigh! I haven’t, but I think it would be great if you browned and seasoned some ground turkey or lean ground beef separately, then stirred it in. Shredded chicken would work well too. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Hi Erin,
Food Lion had taco seasoned ground turkey this week. I bought two pounds, browned it and added it to the crock pot. Since it was seasoned, I did not add the spices listed. This was a very delicious and quick meal! I added more beans and tomatoes to balance the meat. There was enough for my family to have seconds then leftovers to freeze for another meal.
Thank you!
Glad it worked for you, Michelle! Thank you!
This was really good! I served it as a ‘meatless and simple yet festive enough dinner for guests on a Friday during Lent’ with cilantro, avocado, and cheese. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that Abigail! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and letting me know how it came out for you. I really appreciate it, and it’s helpful for others too!
Made this for dinner last night. I made it as written, except I added in some ground turkey and some diced sauteed onions. It was delicious and so easy to make! I topped it with cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips. My picky 3-year old son also really loved it! I’ll definitely make this again. I’m excited for the leftovers today :) Thanks, Erin, for another wonderful flavorful recipe! I LOVE your site!
I’m so excited to hear that Sharice. Thanks so much for trying the recipe, your kind words, and stopping back to leave this lovely review!
Just a quick question. Can I use dried white northern beans and a crock pot be incorporated?
Hi Marianne! I wouldn’t recommend dried beans unless you cook them separately first, since they take much, much longer to cook. This soup is really designed for a fast heating up of ingredients. You could, however, place all the ingredients your slow cooker and warm them up that way instead. I hope that helps!
I loved the simple and fast preparation. I did add some shredded chicken as you suggested for my meat loving man. Lol. As well as 1/2 tsp chipotely chili powder as I couldn’t find mexicorn here in Costa Rica. Turned out great . Topped with Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar and cilantro. Crushed corn chips on top
YAY!!! I am so excited to hear this Krenin. Thank you!
What about using black beans instead of white??
That would definitely work Karen! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Have you ever tried this in a slow cooker?
I have not Heather, but I think that you could play around with doing it that way! Simply add the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook (on low or high) until warmed through.
I made this soup yesterday for game night. It was a big hit. It was super easy and ready quick. I will definitely do this one again.
dk
Yay! Thank you Debbie!
Made this on a night when I just wanted something easy. It came together fast and filled us up. My husband tossed some tortilla chips on his and said it kinda reminded him of chili, just not as heavy.
So glad to hear, thank you Katrina!
My daughter is picky about soups, but she actually ate and liked this soup. I think the tortilla chips and cheese on top made the difference. For me, I liked that it was healthy-ish but didn’t taste like diet food.
Glad it was a hit, Alicia! Thank you!
I wasn’t sure if my kids would go for it, but they actually enjoyed it! I kept the spice level mild and let everyone add their own toppings at the table, which made it fun. I liked how easy it was to throw together on a busy weeknight. It’s hearty but not too rich, which I appreciated.
So glad to hear, Monica! Thank you!
Hi Erin
This soup was super delicious. The only change I made was cutting the chili powder way down as 2 Tablespoons for 6 servings seemed too much. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Chrisanne!
Printing this yummy looking soup recipe to make this week but, 81k calories? 🤫
Hi Sharon! For each recipe, it is based on the information available in the calculators themselves. These numbers are meant to be a guide, not a statement of fact. Many elements can cause the dish I make at home to vary nutritionally from the iteration you create, including brands of ingredients, measuring styles, and final serving size. Further, the accuracy is limited by the information available in WordPress Recipe Maker databases. When in doubt I would double check with a free source like myfitnesspal.com. Hope this helps and ENJOY!
Great soup, I added a lime for an additional pop of flavor, yum!
Thank you!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Great to hear, Carolyn! Thank you!
Easiest recipe to follow and SO delicious! Definitely one of my “once-a-month” recipes!
So happy to hear, Deborah! Thank you!
Delicious, quick easy meal for cold winter nights!
Thank you!
This soup was so good! I put it in the slow cooker and added chopped ham to it. So good and so easy!!
Glad it worked well for you, Elaine!
I made this yesterday and added some chicken as well. This was a great cozy meal for Soup Sunday! I’ve never used Mexican canned corn before but it added just the right amount of heat to the soup. #wellplatedcookingchallenge
So glad it was a hit, Nicole! Thank you!
This worked exactly as written! It’s a very versatile recipe that lends itself to adding or substituting ingrdit. Delicious, easy, and and filling!
Great to hear, Cristyna! Thank you!
So quick and easy to make! I’ve always used black beans, but I really liked the white beans in this soup. I tried it with ground turkey but don’t think it was necessary! Thanks for sharing!
Looks fantastic, Melanie! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Erin, YUMMY! My hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious soup. I followed your recipe with only one addition, Zaatar which is a tangy Mediterranean blend of spices. I topped our soup with toasted tortillas, sour cream topped with pickled jalapeño peppers, and a little feta cheese. I will certainly make it again. Thank you for the recipe.
So glad you enjoyed it, Beverley! Looks great!
I made this recipe tonight because it looked so quick and easy. I am vegetarian so this is right down my alley. It was as easy as you said it would be. Thank you for the reminder to rinse the beans, I don’t always, but now know it rinses away abut 40% of the sodium content and the beans are more flavorful when rinsed. I used Rotel with green chilies. I had a 1/2 can of tomato sauce in the fridge so put it in. This soup was delicious. I topped it with chopped onions, sour cream, chips and cilantro. Very filling and will definitely make it again. What a fun flexible recipe. My only regret is failing to take photos.
Thank you Erin
So glad it was a hit, Cheryl! Thank you!
Made this after work. So quick, easy and delicious! Was surprised at the level of flavor with so few ingredients. The mixture of spices were perfect for a taco taste. Added shredded cheddar and pieces of tortilla chips on top to make a great weeknight meal.
So glad to hear, Becky! Thank you!
Yum! I only had one can of white beans on hand so I subbed in ground beef and used the seasoning while cooking that. Then added everything to the pot to heat and combine. I will say it’s a tad spicy, I didn’t serve to my kids but I enjoyed it myself and have plenty to freeze as leftovers!
So glad to hear, Michele! Thank you!
My family loves this soup!! So good!!
So glad to hear, Shirley! Thank you!
With the weather turning cold tomorrow it was a perfect weekend to prepare with awesome Taco Soup! Used both the white and black beans. Delish!
So glad to hear, Susan! Thank you!
Hi Erin! I tried this recipe and couldn’t believe how quick and easy it is! Very filling and lots of flavor – I will say, next time I will probably half the chili powder as it was a little hotter than I prefer, but it is still very yummy. I added avocado, sour cream, and Hint of Lime Tostitos 😋
So glad to hear, Erin! It looks great!
Quick, easy, & yummy!
Looks so great, Jaina! Thank you!
Oh my goodness this was so good. The only thing I did different was add cooked ground turkey for some extra protein and to stretch the meal out further. This is going in the rotation for sure! Side note, every recipe of yours I’ve tried has been excellent. Many thanks!
Great to hear, thank you Laura!
I was amazed with the depth of flavor that came from such a quick and easy recipe! We enjoyed this soup topped with Greek yogurt and sharp cheddar cheese along with homemade cheddar & jalapeño cornbread muffins. The flavor of this soup is even better the second day!
This looks so good, Rebecca! Thank you for sharing!
I love that this is vegetarian! I used pinto beans for mine and it turned out delicious! Very simple easy recipe. Will definitely put this in the rotation!
So glad to hear, Jenna! Thank you!
Easy peasy! Quick, weeknight meal that can be customized with toppings. I added leftover rotisserie chicken and used frozen tomato puree. Worked well! #wellplatedcookingchallenge
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Emiley!
Terrific easy weeknight recipe using all items you would have in your pantry! I used one 14 oz can regular tomatoes and one fire roasted tomatoes. I served with cheese quesadillas too.
Thank you Stacy!
I am a late comer to the Taco scene, but this soup sounded so good I had to make. I was so please with the ease of making and the taste was delicious. I topped mine with tortillas and my husband wanted grated Monterey jack cheese on his. He was equally thrilled with the taste and asked next time if I would double the recipe.
So glad to hear, Carol! Thank you!
We made the Taco Soup tonight. I didn’t think my husband would like it because it didn’t have meat, but he loved it! It is very filling. It’s quick and easy which is great when you’re tired. It has been raining all day (rare for Southern CA) so it was the perfect meal for tonight. We topped it with sour cream, shredded cheese, and crunched up tortilla chips. I think I’d add the avocado and some green onions next time.
So glad to hear! Thank you!
It’s cold and rainy where I am so this hit the spot!!!
I used black beans and homegrown corn from the garden that we had frozen.
Great to hear, Vanessa! Thank you!
This was such an easy soup to throw together on a night that I didn’t really want to cook anything! The family loved it!
Looks great! Thanks for sharing!
I really liked the white beans in this soup and lots of flavor. I am vegetarian so this is a great weeknight meal.
Great to hear, thank you Michelle!
This soup is so versatile and fresh! Everyone in the family loved it, including the vegetarians. I know it will be a go-to for busy work nights!
Looks amazing Heather! Thank you!
So quick, easy, and tasty! Will definitely be added to the weeknight rotation.
So glad you enjoyed the soup, Julie! Looks great!
Easy and delicious! We used fire roasted diced tomatoes and added turkey. This will definitely be added to our list of easy meals!
So glad you enjoyed it, Janie!
We absolutely loved it!
Great to hear, Kristie!
If I don’t have Mexican Corn on hand, could I add 4 oz. Diced Grreen Chilies? I would use the mild ones.
Sure, but add it based on how much heat you like! Might add a little more kick to it! Let us know how it goes!
I made this the other night and it was so easy. We all decided that it was very good, but the next time we make it, meat will be added. I liked it as it was, a little spicy, but good. I had to agree with adding meat next time. A member of the family is allergic to onions, so we had to omit them. Upon serving it, sour cream, cheese and broken chips were added. Definitely a keeper.
Looks great, Melissa! Thank you for sharing!
I made this entire soup recipe Just for myself,,, my better half here is sadly Not a soup fan,,for some unknown reason… I used the Last of my 2 tiny garden tomatoes,,yellow and red,and omitted the Kosher salt,but added Smoked Hungarian paprika and a spoonful of Taco seasoning,since I had no cumin at home at all. This dish turned out Beautifully ..very flavourful and so pretty looking,,,just Like your photos here. I will definitely make it again for my grandkids when they visit.
Thanks for the feedback, ingrid_lenz!
I really enjoyed the seasoning and flavor. I used ground turkey to increase protein, chicken stock instead of water and threw in some green chiles. Definitely in the rotation of soups I’m keep making
So glad to hear, Sakeen!
This recipe was such a hit. My husband loves it more than instant pot Mexican Casserole . I’m going to make it again today!
Thank you Hilary!
Made in crockpot and added ground turkey. Delicious topped with cheese, Greek yogurt, and jalapeños!
Yay! So glad it worked well in the crockpot! Thank you Alison!
Hi, just wanted to say this was a hit when I made it for my sister. It was even better the next 2 days we had it for lunch. She immediately asked for the recipe. I’m sorry I don’t have a picture.i just bought regular canned corn not Mexican and it was still so good. Just used slightly less of chili powder.
Yay! So glad to hear, Lisa!
This was so simple and quick to throw together, and warmed me up just as the colder weather blows in. I added ground turkey, and the cheddar + sour cream toppings definitely elevated! Another big pro: only 5 minutes of dish washing 🤪 Thanks Erin!
Looks great, Mary! Thanks for sharing!
So easy and tasty! Definitely added to my list of easy meals!
So glad to hear, Michelle!
This was super flavorful and my family loved it. Will be making this again.
Thank you Juliette!
Loved how easy this recipe was! It all came together quickly. Perfect for weeknights. Similar to what others have said, I might add some meat next time, but I appreciate the recipe can meet many dietary needs as written. Served it with chicken quesadillas today.
So glad to hear, Julie! Thank you!
This has been a lifesaver! So easy, hearty and the leftovers are delicious! I added some taco seasoned ground chicken for a little extra protein and some tortilla chips on the side and it was perfect for dinner and lunch!
Looks great, Adrienne! Thank you for sharing!
Excellent flavor, a little spicy which we like. But if I served it to my children, I’d turn the heat down. Easy to make and nutritious! We added shredded chicken.
Thanks for the feedback, Constance!
so easy and so good! I will definitely make sure I have these pantry ingredients on hand at all times!
I loved this so much! Without the extra toppings, it’s all ingredients that you can easily keep in your pantry for when you need a last-minute dinner that’s fast and easy meal. Not to mention that it’s delicious and healthy! The first time, I only added cilantro and diced jalapeno, which was fantastic. The second time I added jalapeno and diced avocado (deliciously creamy and spicy). I think this will easily become a go-to staple in my household.
SO glad you enjoyed it, Erica! Thank you!
Very delicious! Very easy to make, made with my two daughters, they enjoyed the process. Added sombrero shaped pasta for a bit extra, which turned out quite well
Looks so good! Thank you Harris!
This taco soup was super easy, so great for a weekday meal! I subbed frozen corn and added jalapenos and topped with scallions, more jalapenos, and cheddar. Muy bueno!
Looks great, Laurie! Thank you for sharing!
Fast and so easy! It was just what I needed after a week of holiday cooking, and I have enough for lunch all week!
This looks great! Thanks for sharing rogue1!
I seriously love all of your recipes, and enjoy cooking them, but I very much appreciate the tasteful simplicity of this one. I love how fast I can make this nutritious meal during busy weeknights. Thank you for sharing this one!
Thanks so much, Karen!
Made this for dinner last night…but I always ADD ingredients, depending on what veggies I have on hand. Absolutely a “make again”! Loved the flavor blend!
ADD-IN’s: chopped, 2 stalks of celery, 1/2 zucchini, full onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 lg red bell pepper, 1/2 poblano pepper. Plus a quart of beef broth & 1 prepackaged quinoa & brn rice.
Also, added 1/2 cup heavy cream at the end + 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Exchanged: beans for 1 can black beans (drained) + 1 lb cooked ground beef
…I used the lg can of tomatoes as indicated in original recipe. NEXT TIME I will only use 1, 14 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes.
Topped with sour cream & cilantro & avocado!
Glad it worked well for you, Cheryl! Thank you!