Hearty Cowboy-Style Beef Taco Soup Recipe for Comfort Meals

Steaming hot and packed with bold southwestern beef taco soup flavors, this hearty meal promises to satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings.

Robust ground beef mingles with zesty spices and colorful vegetables in every spoonful.

The recipe brings restaurant-quality goodness straight to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Loaded with protein and rich textures, each bowl delivers a punch of deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Weeknight dinners just got way more exciting with this crowd-pleasing soup that comes together in under 30 minutes.

No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients stand between you and this mouthwatering meal.

Let’s find out a bowl of pure deliciousness that connects you with the vibrant spirit of southwestern cuisine.

Serving Creamy Beef Taco Soup with Confidence

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with warm, buttery cornbread or crispy tortilla chips for a complete meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Taco Night Twist: Transform this soup into a fun family dinner by setting up a toppings bar with shredded cheese, diced avocados, jalapeños, and extra sour cream for everyone to customize their bowl.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining soup in airtight containers and enjoy for lunch the next day – the flavors will be even more rich and delicious after sitting overnight in the refrigerator.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy families or individuals wanting delicious, quick dinners.

Save Creamy Beef Taco Soup for Later Meals

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double batch and freeze portions in airtight containers for easy weeknight dinners that save time and energy.
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftover soup in sealed containers for up to 4 days, keeping the flavors intense and textures delicious when reheated gently on the stovetop.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent cheese from separating and maintain that creamy consistency.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop vegetables and measure spices in advance, storing them separately to quickly assemble the soup during busy weekdays.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Beef Taco Soup

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provides rich, golden foundation for sautéing vegetables and creating deep, robust flavor profiles with smooth, silky texture.

• Beef, Green Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Garlic: Hearty ground beef delivers robust meaty essence while bell peppers and onions contribute sweet, crisp undertones and aromatic depth.

• Beef Broth, Crushed Tomatoes, Kidney Beans, Corn Kernels: Creates robust soup foundation with layered complexity, adding hearty substance, protein, and balanced sweetness.

• Pickled Jalapeños, Jalapeño Brine, Chipotle Sauce, Salt, Black Pepper, Cumin, Coriander, Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano: Introduces vibrant, smoky, and zesty flavor dimensions with progressive heat levels and traditional Mexican-inspired seasoning profiles.

• Cream, Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Transforms soup into luxuriously smooth, velvety texture with rich, tangy undertones and melty cheese complexity.

• Cilantro: Adds bright, fresh, citrusy notes that cut through richness and provide authentic Mexican culinary signature.

• Chopped Cilantro, Scallions, Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Provides cool, crisp contrasting elements to enhance visual appeal and offer personalized flavor customization.

Tools That Help Bring Creamy Beef Taco Soup Together

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the soup and combining all ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for chopping onion, garlic, and bell pepper with precision.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and breaking up ground beef while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add exact amounts of spices for balanced flavor.
• Can opener: Needed for opening canned tomatoes and beans.

How to Cook Creamy Beef Taco Soup From Scratch

• Veggie Prep

Grab your cutting board and slice up those colorful vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces. Get ready to create some kitchen magic with onions, garlic, and bell peppers.

• Sizzling Start

Warm up a pot with a splash of olive oil and a pat of butter. Toss in the bell peppers and let them dance around for a few minutes until they start to soften. Next, welcome the onions and garlic to the party, letting them become fragrant and golden.

• Meaty Magic

Introduce the ground beef to the pot, breaking it into delicious crumbles. Sprinkle in a blend of spices that will make your taste buds sing. Let everything mingle and get to know each other.

• Liquid Layers

Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes, beans, and corn. Bring the mixture to a bubbling boil, then dial down the heat and let it simmer into a rich, comforting soup.

• Creamy Finale

Stir in the chipotle sauce, heavy cream, cream cheese, and cheddar. Watch as the soup transforms into a velvety, decadent masterpiece. Let it simmer and develop those incredible flavors.

• Gorgeous Garnish

Top your soup with fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, and a dollop of cool sour cream. Each spoonful will be a celebration of texture and taste.

Tips for Elevating Creamy Beef Taco Soup

• Dial up the heat by adding extra chipotle sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for those who love a spicy kick.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans to create a delicious meatless version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare it in advance and let the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for an intensified taste experience.
• Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy weeknights or unexpected dinner guests.
• Experiment with fun garnishes like crushed tortilla chips, diced avocado, pickled jalapeños, or a sprinkle of queso fresco to add extra texture and excitement to your soup.

Hearty Beef Taco Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beef taco soup blends Mexican-inspired flavors with comfort food simplicity. Robust beef, zesty spices, and quick preparation make this soup a satisfying meal for families seeking delicious, easy dinner solutions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.2 pounds (0.54 kg) beef (85% lean)
• 5 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• 5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 cups beef or chicken broth
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (240 g/8.5 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 oz corn kernels
• ½ cup cream (20%)
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps chopped pickled jalapeños + 2 tbsps brine from jalapeños
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps chipotle sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• Chopped cilantro (for topping)
• Chopped scallions (for topping)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Finely dice onion, bell pepper, and mince garlic to create a consistent flavor base and ensure even cooking.
2. Sautéing Base: Heat a large pot over medium flame, combining olive oil and butter to establish a rich, aromatic foundation for the soup.
3. Vegetable Softening: Introduce bell peppers and cook for 3 minutes, allowing them to release their natural sweetness and become tender.
4. Aromatics Development: Add onions and garlic, stirring continuously to build a complex flavor profile and prevent scorching.
5. Meat Integration: Incorporate ground beef, breaking it into delicate crumbles using a wooden spoon to ensure uniform texture and even cooking.
6. Seasoning Layer: Dust prepared spices over the meat, stirring to toast and activate their deep, nuanced flavors.
7. Liquid Incorporation: Stream in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels, elevating heat to trigger a robust boil.
8. Flavor Melding: Reduce temperature and simmer, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a rich, cohesive taste profile.
9. Creamy Transformation: Drizzle chipotle sauce for smoky complexity, then gently fold in heavy cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar to create a velvety texture.
10. Final Touch: Continue simmering until cheese dissolves completely, achieving a luxurious, silky consistency.
11. Serving Presentation: Ladle into bowls, crowning with fresh cilantro, delicate scallion ribbons, and a generous dollop of tangy sour cream.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Uniformly cut vegetables ensure even cooking and balanced flavor in every spoonful.
• Sauté Secret: Slowly developing aromatics by toasting spices and carefully cooking vegetables builds a rich, complex taste profile.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chipotle sauce to match your heat preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 85mg