Are you tired of complicated recipes that take hours to prepare? Get ready to discover the ultimate comfort food that combines the rich, bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the convenience of a lightning-fast meal. This Quick Beef Tortilla Soup is not just a recipe—it's a culinary adventure that will transform your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup corn
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients on a clean countertop. This will help streamline the cooking process.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the beef is browned, drain any excess fat from the pot. This will help keep your soup from being too greasy.
- Add the drained black beans, diced tomatoes (with their juices), corn, and beef broth to the pot with the browned beef. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Season the soup with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir again to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- While the soup is simmering, prepare your serving bowls. Place tortilla chips in each bowl, allowing them to form a base for the soup.
- After the soup has simmered, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a spicier soup, feel free to add more chili powder or pepper.
- Once ready, ladle the hot beef tortilla soup over the tortilla chips in each bowl. The chips will soften slightly, adding a delicious texture to the dish.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your Quick Beef Tortilla Soup! You can also add toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (80/20) for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Don't skip draining the excess fat after browning the beef—this prevents your soup from becoming greasy.
- For extra depth of flavor, consider toasting your spices (chili powder and cumin) in the pot for 30 seconds before adding the beef.
- Customize your soup by experimenting with toppings: try adding diced avocado, jalapeños, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- If you want to make this soup ahead of time, it actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your beef broth is certified gluten-free and use corn tortilla chips.
- Want to make it spicier? Add a diced jalapeño when cooking the beef or a dash of hot sauce when serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 75mg
