Creamy Taco Soup (Printable)

Rich soup with bold taco flavors, creamy texture, and hearty ingredients perfect for chilly winter nights.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
06 - 1 can (14 ounces) sweet corn, drained
07 - 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Dairy

09 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish

→ Liquids

11 - 3 cups chicken or beef broth

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Sour cream
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Crushed tortilla chips
21 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices become fragrant.
04 - Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, corn, black beans, and broth to the pot. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even flavor distribution.
06 - Lower the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the soup achieves a creamy consistency. Do not allow the soup to boil after adding the cream.
07 - Adjust seasoning to preference. Ladle into bowls and garnish with green onions, additional cheese, and desired toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than you'd think, making it perfect for those nights when you want comfort without the fuss.
  • The creamy texture is pure magic—it somehow feels fancy while tasting like home, and that's a rare combination worth holding onto.
  • Everyone at the table gets to customize their bowl with toppings, so even picky eaters find something to love.
02 -
  • Never let the cream boil after it hits the pot, or it'll separate and look broken—keep your heat low and just warm it through, which takes maybe three minutes.
  • If you're using homemade taco seasoning instead of the store-bought packet, you gain control over the salt and heat level, which changes everything about how customizable this soup becomes.
03 -
  • Brown your beef really well before moving forward—those caramelized edges are where real flavor hides, and rushing this step shows in the final soup.
  • If your canned broth is salty, go easy on the added salt and taste before adjusting, since everything concentrates as it simmers.
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