Hearty Vegetarian Taco Soup
This Hearty Vegetarian Taco Soup is a deliciously vibrant and satisfying meal packed with an array of vegetables and beans, making it a wholesome choice for any time of year. Bursting with flavors from taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix, this soup combines the convenience of canned ingredients with the freshness of chopped vegetables. It's perfect for a cozy dinner, a crowd-pleasing potluck, or even meal prep for the week. Serve with your choice of toppings like sour cream, cheese, and jalapeños for an extra kick!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
black beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
navy beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
black-eyed peas or purple hull peas
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
green beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
corn
1 (15 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
small onion
1 (chopped)
tomato sauce
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
Rotel tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) can (none)
water
2 cups (none)
taco seasoning mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package (none)
ranch dressing mix
1 (1 ounce) package (none)
sour cream
to taste (for serving)
grated cheese
to taste (for serving)
picante sauce or Tabasco sauce
to taste (for serving)
sliced jalapeno
to taste (for serving)
green onion
to taste (for serving)
crushed tortilla chips or Fritos corn chips
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining and rinsing the black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas (or purple hull peas), green beans, and corn. Place them in a large colander and let them sit to remove any excess liquid.
2
Transfer the rinsed beans and corn into a crockpot or a large pot on the stove.
3
Chop the small onion and add it to the pot.
4
Pour in the tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, and water.
5
Sprinkle in the taco seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix, stirring well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
6
If using a stovetop, bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for about 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. If using a crockpot, cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through.
7
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and offer toppings like sour cream, grated cheese, picante sauce or Tabasco sauce, sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, and crushed tortilla chips or Fritos corn chips on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetarian Taco Soup?
It is a vibrant, satisfying meal packed with vegetables and beans, flavored with taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix.
Which beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas (or purple hull peas), and green beans.
Is Hearty Vegetarian Taco Soup vegetarian?
Yes, it is a vegetarian dish containing multiple types of beans and vegetables.
How can I make this soup vegan?
To make it vegan, ensure your taco seasoning and ranch mix are vegan-friendly, and use dairy-free toppings like vegan sour cream and cheese.
Should the beans be rinsed?
Yes, you should drain and rinse the black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas, green beans, and corn before adding them.
What vegetables are added fresh?
A small chopped onion is added fresh to the pot.
What seasonings provide the flavor?
The primary seasonings are one package of taco seasoning mix and one package of ranch dressing mix.
How long does stovetop cooking take?
On the stovetop, bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes to an hour.
Is this recipe compatible with a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook this soup in a crockpot.
What are the crockpot cooking instructions?
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until the soup is heated through.
Do I drain the Rotel tomatoes?
No, the instructions specify to pour in the Rotel tomatoes and tomato sauce without mentioning draining them.
What is the standard can size for the ingredients?
Most ingredients, including the beans and corn, use 15-ounce cans, while tomato sauce uses 14 ounces and Rotel uses 10 ounces.
Can I use purple hull peas?
Yes, purple hull peas are an excellent substitute for black-eyed peas in this recipe.
What are some recommended toppings?
Recommended toppings include sour cream, grated cheese, picante sauce, Tabasco, sliced jalapeños, green onions, and tortilla chips.
Is the soup spicy?
The base has a mild kick from the taco seasoning and Rotel, but you can increase the heat with jalapeños and hot sauce.
How much water do I need to add?
The recipe requires 2 cups of water.
Can I add meat if I prefer?
While designed as a vegetarian soup, you could add browned ground beef or shredded chicken if desired.
What kind of cheese works best for garnish?
Any grated cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend works well.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is a great option for meal prep as it stores well and the flavors often deepen overnight.
Can I use frozen corn?
Yes, you can substitute the 15-ounce can of corn with an equivalent amount of frozen corn.
What side dishes go with this soup?
Besides tortilla chips or Fritos, it pairs well with cornbread or a light side salad.
How many types of beans are in this soup?
The recipe includes five types of beans: black, pinto, navy, black-eyed peas, and green beans.
Do I need to sauté the onion first?
No, you can add the chopped onion directly to the pot or crockpot with the other ingredients.
Can I use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce?
Yes, crushed tomatoes can be used for a chunkier texture, though it may change the consistency slightly.
What if I do not have ranch dressing mix?
You can use a blend of dried dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder as a homemade substitute.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, this bean-based soup freezes very well for up to 3 months.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you verify that your taco seasoning and ranch dressing mixes do not contain gluten-based thickeners.
What is the overall texture of the soup?
It is a hearty, chunky soup with a liquid base from the tomato sauce, Rotel, and water.
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Absolutely, this recipe is easy to double; just ensure your pot or crockpot is large enough to hold the increased volume.