Print
Overhead view two white bowls filled with taco soup

Easy Taco Soup (Instant Pot, Stovetop, or Crockpot)

Veggie-loaded, wholesome, hearty, and full of flavor, this taco soup is a quick and tasty weeknight meal with endless topping possibilities. We provide directions to make it in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop, too. Make and eat right away, or meal prep a batch to save!

Prep: 20 minCook: 8 minutes + steam release timeTotal: 28 minutes + steam release time
Servings: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ medium onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce + 1 can full of water or broth
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted-tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice (1 large lime or 2 small)
  • ⅔ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (may want more for optional toppings)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional Taco Toppings: Diced avocado, fresh cilantro (chopped), green onion, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and/or lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Instant Pot Directions:

  1. Select ‘Saute’ on the Instant Pot and add the oil. 
  2. Once the oil is hot, add ground beef, garlic, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and carrots.
  3. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the meat is cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomato sauce, water or broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Stir to combine. 
  5. Lock the lid into place and flip the valve to the sealing position.
  6. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow for 5-7 minutes of natural pressure release before flipping the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
  7. Remove the lid. Stir in the sour cream and lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve with toppings of choice.

Stovetop Directions:

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the oil. 
  2. Once the oil is hot, add ground meat, garlic, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots.
  3. Sauté for 7-9 minutes or until the meat is cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Add all of the seasonings, the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, corn, and water. 
  5. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat
  6. Reduce heat to low. 
  7. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.
  8. Stir in sour cream and lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve with toppings of choice.

Slow Cooker Directions:

  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop, add the oil. 
  2. Once the oil is hot, add ground meat, garlic, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots.
  3. Sauté for 7-9 minutes or until the meat is cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Add the cooked ground beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker.
  5. Add remaining ingredients (except for the sour cream and lime juice) and stir to combine.
  6. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  7. Stir in sour cream and lime juice just before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve with toppings of choice.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (~1½ cups)
  • Calories: 285
  • Fat: 7 g
  • (Sat Fat: 3 g)
  • Sodium: 802 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • (Fiber: 10 g
  • Sugar: 11 g)
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 52 mg

Dietary

© The Real Food Dietitians
Recipe By: Stacie Hassing