Taco Soup with Ranch is a family favorite. The whole house smells amazing while it’s simmering away! Taco seasoning gives those hints of smoky, spicy flavor and then an added packet of ranch dressing seasoning also adds a kick of creaminess and tanginess. It has plenty of protein and fiber from the ground beef and beans, so it will keep you feeling full for hours.

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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, 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!
- 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.
- Step 2: Add the Other Ingredients. Throw in the beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, salsa, water, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
- Step 3: Simmer. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Dig In. Add all your favorite toppings to the creamy taco soup and enjoy while hot!
Hint: Tools for This Recipe
A great can opener and colander are essential for this recipe, since a good amount of the work is just opening the cans and rinsing the beans and corn.

Expert Tips
- Adding Salt: This easy taco soup with ranch doesn’t need added salt. The spice packets have plenty in them, so be sure to taste the finished soup before adding extra salt. You probably won’t need any.
- Pot Size: We recommend using at least a 6-quart size pot to make the soup in. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings so you want a pretty big pot so it’s not spilling over.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: It's a little extra work, but grating cheese to put on top is so worth it! It will melt perfectly and give an even more creamy, delicious flavor. Plus, block cheese is a little less expensive.
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 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.

Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use the slow cooker for this taco soup with ranch. Simply brown the beef and vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Yes, just be sure to cook the beans completely first. You’ll want to soak them overnight and cook them first before making the soup recipe.
No, it’s not too hot. The spice packets have a lot of flavor in them, but they aren’t spicy. You can easily make the soup more spicy by adding jalapenos, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili powder. Adjust it to your liking!
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
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Easy Taco Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ medium yellow onion (diced)
- 1 (15.25 oz) can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (15.25 oz) can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 (15.25 oz) can of whole-kernel corn (drained and rinsed)
- 2 (15.25 oz) cans of diced tomatoes
- 1 (1 oz) package of taco seasoning
- 1 (1 oz) package of ranch seasoning
- 1 (16 oz) bottle of salsa (I used pace picante)
- 2 ½ cups water
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add in ground beef and cook until completely browned. Then drain off excess grease.
- Add beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, salsa, water, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 20 minutes.
- Serve while hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- No black beans? Swap them with pinto or white beans! No salsa? Diced tomatoes with green chiles would work too!
- Serve the soup with a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
- Make a double batch and freeze half for an effortless dinner on a busy night. Perfect for meal prep!
- Don’t add extra salt. The ranch and taco flavor packets have plenty in them.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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