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