Stovetop Taco Soup

This easy and healthy Stovetop Taco Soup is packed with meat, veggies, beans, lots of spices, and a rich tomato broth that will warm you to the bones. Serve with all your favorite taco toppings for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Stovetop Taco Soup is a staple around here and I can’t believe I’m just now sharing this recipe with you! We love taco soup and this one hits all the right notes. It’s mildly spicy, meaty, and lots of hearty ingredients. The perfect cozy meal for these cooler months. Taco Soup is also a great recipe for busy nights because it’s easy to make, it cooks fast, and the clean up is a breeze.
My Taco Soup is not only delicious, it’s healthy too! I use lean ground turkey and sneak in extra veggies like peppers and carrots. The tomato broth is an excellent source of vitamin C, A, and K. A complete meal you can feel good about eating and making for your loved ones. Of course balance is key so we definitely don’t skimp on those fresh taco toppings.
The best part about taco soup is you really can’t mess it up. As long as you have a few simple key ingredients (meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices) the rest can be customized to your liking.
Ingredients For Stovetop Taco Soup:
- Olive oil
- Lean ground turkey
- Small onion
- Carrots
- Green bell pepper
- Seasonings– chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, ranch seasoning mix, salt and pepper
- Canned black beans
- Canned chili beans in tomato sauce
- Canned diced tomatoes w/ green chilis
- Canned tomato sauce
- Chicken stock
- Lime juice
- Fresh cilantro (optional)

My Secret Ingredient For Taco Soup:
Okay this isn’t necessarily MY secret ingredient but it’s a major flavor booster here. A touch of ranch seasoning mix will change your taco soup world! It basically elevates the flavor of everything. I know some recipes call for a bottle of ranch, but in an effort to keep this soup healthy with lots of great flavor, the ranch seasoning mix does the trick without all the extra.
Substitutions and additional add-ins:
As I mentioned taco soup can be easily customized. Here are a few ingredients that can be added or substituted.
- Beans– kidney beans, white beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans
- Veggies– corn, sweet potatoes, zucchini, spinach
- Meat– lean ground beef, chicken, ground pork, or a combination of ground meat
- Taco Seasoning– use a packet of store-bought taco seasoning instead of making your own
How To Make Stovetop Taco Soup:
Step 1. Start by browning the ground turkey in a large pot with a little olive oil. When the meat is no longer pink add in the veggies. Cook until the veggies just start to soften and stir in spices. Toast for about 1-minute.
Step 2. Add the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Stir to combine and bring to a medium simmer. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Step 3. Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro just before serving.

Taco Soup Toppings:
Any of these toppings will add great flavor and texture to taco soup.
- Shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- Avocado or guacamole
- Sour cream
- Radishes
- Green or red onion
- Cilantro
- Black olives
- Crushed tortilla chips

Slow Cooker Version:
I am still very much a slow-cooker fan and use mine weekly. I love my home to be filled with the wonderful aromas of good food throughout the day. Here’s the easy steps!
Step 1. Cook meat, veggies, and spices according to stovetop recipe then add to a 6 qt or larger slow cooker.
Step 2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients leaving the lime juice and cilantro until the end of the cooking time. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.
Can I freeze leftover Taco Soup?
Definitely! We use single serving freezer safe containers for our leftovers. Fill containers 3/4 full leaving a little space from the top. Once soup has cooled a bit secure with a lid. Make sure soup is completely cooled before placing in the freezer. To thaw place in a large bowl filled with lukewarm water, or on the counter at room temperature until completely thawed. Tip: I’ll grab a container out of the freezer and place on the counter at work to thaw. By the time lunch rolls around it’s ready to heat!
Sharing Is Caring!
This recipe is great for sharing with a family or someone in need. Or, just because! My mom prepared a couple meals for us during our busy holiday season and I can’t tell you how much we appreciated that! It was thoughtful and such a treat to have a night off from cooking.

Other Soups You Might Enjoy:
- Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Turkey Chili with Pumpkin
- Southwest Corn Chowder
- Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Soup
Rate The Recipe⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I appreciate your comments and reviews! Be sure to leave a comment or rating below for suggestions, questions, or if you make the recipe. I’d love to know how it turned out for you!
Let’s eat!🤍

Stovetop Taco Soup (with slow cooker instructions)
Equipment
- 1 large pot 6-7 qt
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion chopped fine
- 2 carrots peeled and diced small
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced small
- 1 (15oz) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (15oz) can chili beans with tomato sauce do not rinse or drain
- 1 (10oz) can mild diced tomatoes and green chilis I use Rotel brand
- 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/4-1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro optional
Seasonings
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot brown ground turkey in olive oil until no longer pink. Stir in veggies and cook until soften, about 5 minutes. Add spices and toast 1-minute.
- Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Stir to combine and bring to a medium simmer. Cook 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro. Serve with your favorite taco toppings. See notes for topping ideas.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Cook meat and veggies according to stovetop recipe then add to a 6 qt or larger slow cooker.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients leaving the lime juice and cilantro until the end of the cooking time. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.
Notes
- Beans– kidney beans, white beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans
- Veggies– corn, sweet potatoes, zucchini, spinach
- Meat-lean ground beef, chicken, or ground pork
- Taco Seasoning– use a packet of store-bought taco seasoning instead of making your own
- Shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- Avocado or guacamole
- Sour cream
- Radishes
- Green or red onion
- Cilantro
- Black olives
- Crushed tortilla chips
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 5 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 236 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 5.5g | 7% |
Saturated Fat 0.9g | 5% |
Cholesterol 50mg | 17% |
Sodium 983mg | 43% |
Total Carbohydrate 21.3g | 8% |
Dietary Fiber 6.3g | 23% |
Total Sugars 6.9g | |
Protein 26.9g | |
Vitamin D 13mcg | 65% |
Calcium 66mg | 5% |
Iron 3mg | 15% |
Potassium 744mg | 16% |
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Oh my goodness! I made the Taco Soup and it was amazing and so easy! I only had to get one thing from the store because I was out and that was cilantro. Definitely making it again. Thanks Ang ❤️
So glad you loved it, thank you for the review! Cilantro is definitely a must for us too!