This particular bowl of soup tastes like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. Believe me, this is comfort food redefined for busy schedules. The rich, savory broth carries bright notes of lime and spice perfectly. Making a delicious Healthy Taco Soup comes together quicker than ordering takeout tonight. It truly hits all the right spots.
I often rely on this recipe after a long Tuesday meeting. It freezes beautifully, which saves my sanity later on. Honestly, my family devours this ground turkey soup every single time I serve it.
Why I Love This Recipe
This simple recipe rocks my world.
- It uses pantry staples easily.
- Weeknight dinners become a breeze now.
- The flavor profile is seriously vibrant.
- This Healthy Taco Soup is so customizable too.
- Plus, it tastes even better the next day!
Seriously, it is my secret weapon for fast family meals.
Healthy Taco Soup Ingredients
Gathering these everyday components truly unlocks magic in the pot. Together, they create that familiar, satisfying Tex-Mex flavor we all crave. This Healthy Taco Soup builds its incredible depth from these simple, accessible items.
We use lean ground turkey or beef for a lighter protein base. Black beans and pinto beans add essential fiber and body to the stew. Canned corn provides pops of sweetness throughout every spoonful. Diced tomatoes and Rotel bring necessary acidity and a little spice kick. Chopped green chilies deepen that earthy, warm flavor wonderfully. Chicken broth serves as the liquid base for our simmering adventure. Remember, salt and pepper are our starting points for seasoning adjustments later.
Substitutions and Tips
Sometimes pantry chaos reigns, doesn’t it? I get it. You can easily swap the ground turkey for ground chicken or extra vegetables. If you lack ranch seasoning powder, a tiny splash of Worcestershire sauce works wonders. For flavor boosting, try adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving. That brightens everything up significantly! Consider roasting some bell peppers instead of using canned chilies sometimes. All precise measurements wait for you on the recipe card below. Don’t worry about perfect precision here.
How to Make Healthy Taco Soup
Step 1
Warm the olive oil in a big pot. Use medium-high heat there. Add your ground meat now. Cook it, breaking it apart gently. Make sure all the meat is nicely browned. Seriously, drain off any extra grease right away. This keeps the soup much lighter.
Step 2
Toss in the chopped onion next. Cook the onion until it looks soft. This takes about five minutes usually. Next, quickly stir in the minced garlic. Cook the garlic for just one minute more. You want that wonderful aroma to bloom.
Step 3
Now, pour in the canned goodies. Add the rinsed black beans and pinto beans. Undrained diced tomatoes go in too. Include the Rotel and the drained corn. Don’t forget the chopped green chilies. These ingredients build our wonderful texture wonderfully.
Step 4
Time for the seasonings, yay! Add the taco seasoning packet easily. Then, sprinkle in the dry ranch mix next. Stir everything thoroughly now. Make sure the spices coat the meat mixture well. This step is key for deep flavor development.
Step 5
Pour in all four cups of chicken broth. Bring this whole mixture up to a low boil. Watch carefully for that initial simmer to start. This starts the transformation process for this ground turkey soup.
Step 6
Reduce the heat down low immediately. Cover the pot securely now. Let the soup softly simmer for thirty minutes. Twenty minutes is the minimum time needed. Longer simmering lets those lovely flavors really meld together perfectly.
Step 7
Give the soup a final taste test. Adjust salt or pepper as you think needed. Maybe a dash more chili powder works for you. It is your low fat soup, after all!
Step 8
Serve this delicious soup piping hot always. Offer those creamy toppings liberally. Shredded cheese melts beautifully right on top. Avocado offers a great cooling richness. Crushed tortilla chips add necessary crunch, enjoy!
How to Store Healthy Taco Soup
Storing leftovers is super simple, which I love. Cool your wonderful Healthy Taco Soup completely first. Put it into airtight containers immediately. In the refrigerator, it stays fresh for about four good days. Freezing is also an excellent option for later meals. Place individual portions into freezer-safe bags or containers. Frozen soup lasts nicely for three whole months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the quickest thaw.
Tips for Success
- Always rinse your canned beans very well first. This really cuts down on sodium levels.
- Don’t skip the ranch seasoning mix addition. It adds great savory depth surprisingly.
- Use chicken broth with low sodium content naturally. Our packets add enough salt already.
- Allow the soup maximum simmering time for richer taste development. Patience truly pays off here.
- For extra brightness, add fresh cilantro at the end. It wakes up the whole dish!
- Taste before adding extra salt during those last few minutes. Seasoning is always personal preference.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large Dutch oven or heavy pot: A substantial pot is best for even heating.
- Cutting board and sharp knife: Essential for chopping that onion and garlic nicely.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Keep your ratios correct for perfect seasoning balance.
- Colander or strainer: Use this for thoroughly rinsing those canned beans and corn.
- Serving spoons: Needed for ladling out that amazing healthy taco soup.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cornbread to catch every last drop of broth.
- A crisp side salad provides a nice textural contrast.
- Try a tall glass of sparkling water with lime wedges.
- Garnish generously with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños.
- This Healthy Taco Soup pairs well with plain Greek yogurt too.
Healthy Taco Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings (estimated)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Tex-Mex inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A hearty and flavorful Healthy Taco Soup made with lean ground turkey or beef, various beans, tomatoes, corn, and seasoned with taco and ranch mixes, perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chilies, undrained
- 1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix (dry)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey/beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, pinto beans, undrained diced tomatoes, Rotel, drained corn, and undrained green chilies.
- Add the taco seasoning packet and ranch seasoning mix. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the soup to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, or crushed tortilla chips.
Notes
- Using lean ground turkey or beef contributes to the ‘healthy’ aspect of this soup.
- The simmering time is important for the flavors to fully develop.
- Adjust the amount of Rotel or green chilies based on your preferred spice level.
