Name: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 370 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 diced onion; 1 diced red or green pepper; 2 tbsp taco seasoning; 1 can diced tomatoes (14oz); 1 can passata (14oz); 1 can mixed beans (14oz); 1-2 handfuls sweetcorn; 30 oz vegetable or beef stock; For serving: taco shells or tortilla chips (sour cream, sharp cheese)

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Nothing beats a slow cooker taco soup on a busy weeknight or a chilly evening. This crockpot taco soup is loaded with ground beef, beans, tomato puree, diced peppers, and onions, all simmered together for hours to create a rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful meal. It’s hearty, satisfying, and hands-off — just set it in the slow cooker and let it do all the work.

What makes this recipe extra special is how the flavors meld over time. The taco seasoning infuses the beef with bold, zesty flavor, while the combination of beans, veggies, and stock creates a soup that’s thick, warming, and perfect for topping with taco shells, tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheese. This isn’t just any taco soup, it’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing bowl of goodness that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

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Table of Contents

What makes this taco soup so great:

Hands-off cooking: This recipe can literally be chucked in the slow cooker and left to do its thing, freeing you up for other tasks while it simmers to perfection.

Rich, bold flavor: Browning the ground beef and onions before adding everything to the crockpot builds a deep, savory base that carries through the whole soup.

Perfectly balanced: The combination of beans, tomato puree, sweetcorn, and taco seasoning gives a hearty, comforting meal that’s filling without being heavy.

Simple, no-fuss ingredients: With pantry staples like beans, stock, and taco seasoning, it’s an easy recipe you can throw together anytime.

Crowd-pleasing meal: Serve with taco shells, tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese for a fun, customizable dinner that everyone will enjoy.

How to make taco soup:

Step 1: Prep your vegetables and beef
Dice one onion. Heat a skillet over medium heat and fry the onion with 1 lb of ground beef for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the onions are soft and the beef is nicely browned.

Step 2: Add peppers and seasonings
Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and stir to coat the beef and onions evenly.

Step 3: Transfer to slow cooker
Move the mixture into your slow cooker. Add 1 can of chopped tomatoes, 1 can of passata, 1 can of mixed beans (with or without sauce), 1 small can of sweetcorn, and around 30 oz of vegetable or beef stock. Stir until everything is combined.

Step 4: Slow cook
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir once or twice during cooking if you can. The long, slow cooking allows the flavors to blend fully and the soup to thicken slightly.

Step 5: Serve and garnish
Ladle into bowls and serve with a generous dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of sharp cheese, and taco shells or tortilla chips for dipping.

Taco Recipe FAQ

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken works perfectly. Increase taco seasoning slightly for extra flavor.
Do I need to rinse the beans?
If the beans come in sauce, leave them in. For plain beans, draining and rinsing removes excess starch.
Should I brown the beef first?
Absolutely. Browning develops flavor and improves the soup’s texture. Skipping this step can make the beef taste bland.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Skip the beef and add extra beans or lentils. Use vegetable stock instead of beef stock.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes, cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
How spicy is this soup?
It’s mildly to moderately spicy depending on your taco seasoning. Add more chili powder or a splash of hot sauce if you like it hotter.
How can I thicken the soup?
Simmer uncovered for 30-60 minutes at the end, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) and cook until thickened.

Taco soup variations:

Cheesy Taco Soup: Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 10 minutes before serving.
Fajita-Style Taco Soup: Add sliced fajita peppers and a squeeze of lime juice at the end.
Smoky Chipotle Taco Soup: Mix in 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.
Tex-Mex Taco Soup: Add cooked rice or quinoa for extra heartiness.
Creamy Taco Soup: Stir in ½ cup cream cheese or sour cream before serving for a richer texture.

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