Easy Taco Soup with Ranch

This yummy soup recipe features zesty, spicy seasoned ground beef, hearty beans, and sweet crisp corn. We like it best with a handful of cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top.

If you like easy soup recipes, next you'll want to try my best-ever Cheeseburger Soup, creamy Tortellini Soup with Spinach, flavorful Chicken Gnocchi Soup, and this easy Vegetable Beef Soup.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Dinner Option: This ranch taco soup is a go-to on days when we don't feel like cooking. Fry up the veggies and beef, get everything simmering, and dinner will be on the table in no time.
• Incredible Flavor: This is the best taco soup recipe. The spice packets add a ton of flavor without having to do a ton of work in the kitchen.
• Kid-Friendly and Picky-Eater Approved: Taco soup with a ranch packet is a tried-and-tested dinner that disappears quickly!

Ingredients You'll Need

• Ground Beef: We usually go with lean 90/10 ground beef so it's not too greasy.
• Olive Oil: A little olive oil or any neutral oil is all you need for sauteing the vegetables.
• Garlic and Yellow Onion: Fresh garlic and yellow onion really bring out the beef flavor in this one. You could use pre-sliced onions and garlic from the jar if you're in a rush.
• Black Beans and Kidney Beans: You'll want to drain and rinse the beans well. This helps them digest better.
• Whole-Kernel Corn: You'll also be adding a can of drained and rinsed corn to the taco soup recipe. These add a little sweetness and crunch that is so good! You could also use hominy instead of corn. 
• Diced Tomatoes: We like cans of petite diced tomatoes so the chunks aren't too big in this taco soup recipe with ranch. You can look for ones that have flavoring and spiciness if you want, but plain tomatoes work just as well.
• Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning usually includes chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, salt, ground paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Tons of spicy, smoky flavor!
• Ranch Seasoning: Ranch packets usually have dried herbs like parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, buttermilk powder, salt, pepper, and tarragon. Together these give a tangy, zesty, savory flavor.
• Salsa: We like to use Pace Picante. It adds great acidity from the tomato and you can choose between mild, medium, or spicy.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Vegetarian Soup: Leave out the ground beef or replace it with soy crumbles. You can add extra beans and other veggies like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers.
• Ground Turkey or Chicken: Ground chicken and ground turkey can be used for a lighter version of this soup. You might want to add a little oil to the pan when you cook them so they don't dry out.
• Gluten-Free: This taco soup with ranch seasoning is mostly gluten-free already. Double check that the taco seasoning and ranch seasoning are gluten free if you're feeding anyone with an allergy or sensitivity. Also, double check that any toppings are gluten-free, too!
• Heartier Soup: You could add a cup of cooked rice or quinoa to make this soup even heartier.
• Smoky Flavor: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or chipotle powder or some adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers to give more depth.
• Use White Beans: Instead of kidney or black beans, you could also use Cannellini or Great Northern beans.

How to Make Easy Taco Soup

Here's how to make taco soup with ranch seasoning. It's so simple!

1. Step 1: Sauté the Garlic, Onion, and Ground Beef. Heat up the olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds to release its aroma. Then add the onion and sauté it for 3 minutes until it's tender and translucent. Then add in the ground beef and cook it until browned. Drain the excess grease.
2. Step 2: Add the Other Ingredients. Throw in the beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, salsa, water, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
3. Step 3: Simmer. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Step 4: Dig In. Add all your favorite toppings to the creamy taco soup and enjoy while hot!

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You could also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Let frozen leftovers thaw the night before you're eating it. Reheat the dish in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals until it is heated through.

Serving Suggestions

This is one of our favorite Mexican soup recipes. It's great for an easy, fast weeknight dinner (a unique version of Taco Tuesday!) or family meal on the weekends. This one is also perfect for game day or a potluck.

• Serve it with Greek yogurt or sour cream, tortilla chips, guacamole or avocado, restaurant salsa or pico de gallo, a sprinkle of cotija or cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
• Hungry? You could also serve the soup as an appetizer before having a full Tex-Mex or Mexican meal, like chicken taco soup, chicken taco casserole with Mexican rice. 
• Make Taco Soup as a starter and serve it with steak quesadillas or sour cream chicken enchiladas, then fruit pizza cookies or homemade ice cream.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

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