Creamy Beef Taco Soup Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Beef Taco Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender ground beef with a spicy, smoky broth. Packed with vegetables, beans, and a rich creamy finish, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or casual gathering.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the vegetables by finely chopping the red onion, mincing the garlic, and dicing the green bell pepper after removing seeds and veins.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. Brown the beef for about 3 minutes. Stir in the spices, chopped jalapeños, and jalapeño brine, cooking for an additional minute.
4. Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: While the soup simmers, chop the cilantro and grate the cheddar cheese. Prepare any additional toppings like scallions and sour cream.
6. Step 6: Add chipotle sauce, cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar to the pot. Stir well to combine and dissolve the cheeses. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Finish by stirring in chopped cilantro and freshly ground black pepper.
8. Step 8: Serve the soup hot with your favorite toppings such as chopped scallions, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce the amount of jalapeños and chipotle sauce or omit them entirely.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
• Add diced avocado or crushed tortilla chips as toppings for extra texture.
• Substitute cream cheese with sour cream for a tangier finish.

Storage

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can swap the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or add extra beans and vegetables for protein. Use vegetable broth in place of beef broth to keep it vegetarian.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely. The flavors meld beautifully when the soup sits overnight, so making it a day ahead can enhance the taste. Just reheat thoroughly before serving.

Creamy Beef Taco Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 120 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Creamy Beef Taco Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring ground beef, bell peppers, garlic, beans, corn, and a blend of spices simmered in a rich tomato and beef broth base. Enhanced with chipotle sauce, cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar, this soup offers a creamy and spicy kick perfect for a comforting meal. Topped with fresh cilantro, scallions, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, this soup is an accessible, crowd-pleasing option that can be made on the stovetop in under an hour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced (seeds and veins removed)
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.2 pounds beef (85% lean)
• 2 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños
• 2 tbsp brine from jalapeños

Liquids and Sauces

• 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 3 cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chipotle sauce
• ½ cup cream (20%)

Other Components

• 1 can (240 g/8.5 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 ounces corn kernels
• 5 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro

Spices and Seasonings

• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano

Toppings

• Chopped cilantro
• Chopped scallions
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt

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Instructions

1. Chopping: Finely chop the red onion and mince the garlic. Remove seeds and veins from the green bell pepper, then dice it.
2. Sautéing: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened. Add red onion and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it browns for about 3 minutes. Stir in the ground spices, chopped jalapeños, and their brine, cooking for 1 minute to blend flavors.
3. Simmering (first stage): Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Bring back to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Grating and prepping toppings: While the soup simmers, chop additional cilantro, grate the cheddar cheese, and prepare any desired toppings such as scallions and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
5. Simmering (final stage): Stir in the chipotle sauce, cream, cream cheese, and grated cheddar cheese until fully dissolved and incorporated. Bring the soup back to a boil briefly, then reduce heat to simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and seasoning as needed.
6. Serving: Finish by adding freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkling of chopped cilantro on top. Serve the soup hot with your favorite toppings such as chopped scallions and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Enjoy your creamy and spicy beef taco soup!

Notes

• Use 85% lean beef for a good balance of flavor and fat content.
• Pickled jalapeños and brine add a smoky, tangy heat; adjust quantity to your spice preference.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute cream and cheeses with plant-based alternatives.
• This soup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
• Serve with tortilla chips or warm cornbread for a complete meal experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: Creamy Beef Taco Soup, taco soup, spicy beef soup, creamy soup, stovetop soup, comfort food