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A bowl of taco soup topped with sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips sitting on a window ledge.

Ground Beef Taco Soup with Black Beans (Small Batch)

Sara
An easy taco soup recipe with black beans, lean ground beef, onions, tomatoes, corn, and all of the toppings! This is a small batch recipe that makes 1 1/2 quarts of soup.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 3 bowls
Calories 205 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 3.5 - 5 qt. Dutch Oven

Ingredients
 
 

For the Homemade Taco Seasoning:

  • 1 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. Mexican Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

For the Taco Soup:

  • 2 tsp. Avocado or Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped Onion white or yellow
  • 8 oz. Lean Ground Beef like 93/7
  • 1 cup chopped Cherry Tomatoes or Roma Tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped Jalapeño
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 can (15 oz.-ish) Black Beans drained
  • 1/2 cup frozen Corn or fresh corn
  • 3 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
  • 1 tbsp. Lime Juice
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh Cilantro

Optional Toppings:

  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese or your favorite shredded cheese
  • chopped Green Onion or Red Onion
  • finely chopped Cilantro
  • Tortilla Chips, Tortilla Strips, or Corn Chips
  • Hot Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Make the Taco Seasoning. Combine 1 tsp. Chili Powder, 1 tsp. Ground Cumin, 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika, 1/2 tsp. Mexican Oregano, and 1/2 tsp. Saltt in a small bowl. Mix until well blended, then set aside. (This can be substituted with 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. of your favorite taco seasoning.)
  • Cook the Onions. Heat 2 tsp. Avocado or Olive Oil in a deep saucepan or a 3.5 – 5 quart Dutch oven. (The Dutch oven used in these photos is a 3.5 qt. dutch oven). Once the oil is hot, add the 1/2 cup chopped Onion with a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and some are lightly browned.
    Onions cooking in the bottom of a ceramic dutch oven.
  • Add Seasoning and Lean Ground Beef Sprinkle the seasoning blend (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano and salt) over the onions. Stir the seasoning into the onions and cook for about one minute. Add 8 oz. Lean Ground Beef and cook, breaking the ground beef into small pieces as it cooks, until the beef is browned and coated in seasoning.(about 4-5 minutes).
    Ground beef being stirred with a wooden spoon in the bottom of a ceramic pot.
  • Add Tomatoes, Garlic, and Jalapeños (if using). Add 1 cup chopped Cherry Tomatoes or Roma Tomatoes, 2 cloves Garlic (minced), and 2 tbsp. finely chopped Jalapeño (if using). Stir to combine them thoroughly with the seasoned beef, then cook for 5-6 minutes (stirring occasionally) until the tomatoes are softened.
    A ceramic pot full of cooked ground beef and tomatoes.
  • Stir in Black Beans, Corn, and Broth. Let the Soup Simmer. Stir 1 can (15 oz.-ish) Black Beans and 1/2 cup frozen Corn into the ground beef mixture, then pour in 3 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth. Stir to combine all of the ingredients, then turn the heat beneath the pot to medium-high. Once the soup starts to simmer, stir it again and turn the heat down to medium. Allow the soup to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    A wooden spatula stirring a pot of black beans, vegetables, and ground beef.
  • Stir in Lime Juice and Cilantro. Squeeze 1 tbsp. Lime Juice into the soup, then sprinkle in 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh Cilantro. Stir to combine, then taste and season with salt or more lime juice if needed.
    A woman's hand squeezing a lime wedge over a ceramic pot full of taco soup with cilantro sprinkled on top.
  • Serve with your Favorite Toppings. Serve the soup in warm bowls, and top with your favorite toppings! (I recommend sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips).
    A bowl of taco soup topped with sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips sitting on a window ledge.

Notes

Homemade Taco Seasoning: This can be substituted with one tablespoon plus one teaspoon of your favorite taco seasoning.
Lean Ground Beef: I use 93/7 lean ground beef so I don't have to drain any rendered fat from it. You can use a fattier ground beef (like 80/20), but you may need to drain the rendered fat if there is a lot of it.
Black Beans: I drain the beans, but don't rinse them. The starchy liquid on the beans adds a little flavor to the soup, and thickens it slightly.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Low sodium is recommended so the soup isn't too salty.
Make this Vegetarian by omitting the beef and adding another can of black beans. You can also swap the black beans for pinto beans.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 21gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 842mgPotassium: 955mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1322IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 4mg
Keyword beef taco soup, taco soup, taco soup with black beans
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