Hearty Tex-Mex Chunky Taco Soup
Savor the rich flavors of this Hearty Tex-Mex Chunky Taco Soup, a delightful blend of zesty spices, tender protein, and hearty beans. Perfect for chilly nights or casual gatherings, this comforting soup is not only easy to prepare but also gets better with each passing day, making leftovers a tempting treat. Customize it to your liking by adding a dash more tomato sauce for extra brothiness or swapping out proteins. Serve hot with toppings like shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of creamy sour cream, and crispy tortilla chips for dipping—it's a bowl of warmth and happiness you won't want to miss!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef or diced boneless skinless chicken breast
3/4 lb (brown in large pot)
low-sodium black beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (do not drain)
small red beans or kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
Rotel tomatoes & chilies
1 (10 ounce) can (do not drain)
tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can
taco seasoning
1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet
ranch dressing mix
1 (1 ounce) packet
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon
shredded sharp cheddar cheese
to serve
sour cream
to serve
tortilla chips
for dipping
Instructions
1
In a large pot over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef or diced chicken until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the soup lighter.
2
Once the meat is cooked, add the low-sodium black beans (do not drain), small red beans or kidney beans (drained), Rotel tomatoes & chilies (do not drain), tomato sauce, taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
3
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally.
4
Once finished, ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
5
Serve immediately with tortilla chips on the side for dipping. Enjoy the robust flavors and satisfying textures!
Nutrition Information
13.33
Fat
25
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Tex-Mex Chunky Taco Soup?
It is a comforting, zesty soup made with a blend of spices, protein, and hearty beans, perfect for gatherings or chilly nights.
What proteins can I use in this recipe?
You can use either 3/4 lb of lean ground beef or diced boneless skinless chicken breast.
How many calories are in a serving of this taco soup?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
Do I need to drain the black beans?
No, the recipe specifically instructs not to drain the two 15-ounce cans of low-sodium black beans.
Which beans should be drained before adding them to the pot?
The 15-ounce can of small red beans or kidney beans should be drained.
Do I drain the Rotel tomatoes and chilies?
No, do not drain the 10-ounce can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies when adding them to the mixture.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What toppings are recommended for this soup?
It is best served topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of creamy sour cream.
What should I serve on the side?
Crispy tortilla chips are recommended for dipping into the soup.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep as the flavors get better with each passing day.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 20 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this soup?
The soup contains 13.33 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What size packet of taco seasoning is needed?
The recipe calls for one 1 1/4 ounce packet of taco seasoning.
What size packet of ranch dressing mix is used?
You will need one 1 ounce packet of ranch dressing mix.
Can I make the soup more brothy?
Yes, you can customize the consistency by adding a dash more tomato sauce for extra brothiness.
How should I prepare the meat?
Brown the lean ground beef or diced chicken in a large pot over medium heat and drain any excess grease.
What additional dry spices are required?
In addition to the packets, you will need 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How many total ingredients are in the recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed, including seasonings and toppings.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and is a comforting meal for all ages.
What size can of tomato sauce is used?
The recipe uses one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes, you can swap the beef for diced boneless skinless chicken breast.
Is the soup served hot?
Yes, it should be served hot immediately after cooking and adding toppings.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is recommended to provide a bold flavor.
Is this a Tex-Mex style dish?
Yes, it is a Hearty Tex-Mex Chunky Taco Soup featuring classic regional flavors like chilies and taco spices.
Do I need to stir the soup while it simmers?
Yes, you should stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers for 10-15 minutes.
Are there leftovers from this recipe?
Yes, the recipe description notes that leftovers are a tempting treat because the flavor improves over time.
What is the preparation time for the meat?
The meat should be cooked until fully browned and drained before adding other ingredients.
Is the soup chunky or smooth?
It is a chunky soup thanks to the combination of meat, black beans, and red/kidney beans.
What kind of black beans should I buy?
The recipe suggests using low-sodium black beans.