Craving a mouthwatering meal that practically cooks itself? Get ready to meet your new weeknight dinner hero: Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup! This magical dish combines the bold, zesty flavors of tacos with the comfort of a hearty soup, all while requiring minimal effort. Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of Mexican-inspired goodness that's been slowly simmering all day – this recipe is about to become your ultimate time-saving, taste bud-pleasing solution!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef, 1 can of black beans (drained), 1 can of corn (drained), 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 packet of taco seasoning, and 2 cups of beef broth.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Transfer the cooked ground beef to your crock pot. Make sure to scrape all the bits from the skillet into the pot for added flavor.
- Add the drained black beans to the crock pot. Ensure they are well-drained to avoid excess liquid in your soup.
- Next, add the drained corn to the mixture. This will add sweetness and texture to your taco soup.
- Pour in the can of diced tomatoes, including the juice, as this will contribute to the soup's overall flavor and consistency.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the ingredients in the crock pot. This seasoning will infuse the soup with classic taco flavors.
- Finally, pour in the 2 cups of beef broth. This will help to create a soupy consistency and enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Stir all the ingredients together in the crock pot until well combined. Ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking will allow all the flavors to meld beautifully.
- After 6 hours, check the soup for seasoning and adjust if necessary. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add some hot sauce or additional spices at this point.
- Once the soup is ready, serve it hot in bowls. You can garnish with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, or fresh cilantro, based on your preference.
- Enjoy your Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup with tortilla chips or warm tortillas on the side for a complete meal!
Tips
- Brown the Ground Beef Thoroughly: Take the time to properly brown the beef and drain excess fat to ensure a rich, clean flavor.
- Layer Ingredients Strategically: Add ingredients in the order specified to help distribute flavors evenly throughout the soup.
- Don't Rush the Cooking Process: The 6-hour slow cook is crucial for developing deep, complex flavors. Resist the temptation to speed things up!
- Customize Your Toppings: Make the soup your own by setting up a topping bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup freezes beautifully! Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months for an easy future meal.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Feel free to add extra taco seasoning or a splash of hot sauce if you want more kick.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: While this recipe works great with canned ingredients, using fresh tomatoes or corn can elevate the flavor profile.Pro Tip: For an extra flavor boost, consider browning the ground beef with some diced onions before adding it to the crock pot!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 60mg
