Hearty Tex-Mex Beef Soup (Printer Version)

Seasoned beef with beans, corn, and bold Tex-Mex spices. Ready in 45 minutes for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Canned Goods

05 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
10 - 4 cups chicken broth

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

16 - Shredded cheddar cheese
17 - Sour cream
18 - Sliced jalapeños
19 - Chopped cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions
21 - Crushed tortilla chips or strips
22 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the aromatics and deepen flavor.
04 - Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed to suit your preference.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your preferred toppings such as cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, and tortilla chips.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying the warmth of your kitchen.
  • The flavors deepen as it sits, so leftovers become even more crave worthy by day two.
  • You can dress it up or down depending on your mood, from simple weeknight dinner to game day showstopper.
  • It's the kind of forgiving recipe that welcomes substitutions and still turns out beautifully every time.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining and rinsing the beans, the canning liquid can make the soup taste tinny and throw off the seasoning.
  • Letting the soup simmer uncovered is crucial, it concentrates the flavors and thickens the broth just enough to coat your spoon.
  • If you're using homemade taco seasoning, start with less and build up, store bought blends vary wildly in saltiness.
03 -
  • If you want a thicker, stew like consistency, mash about half a cup of the beans against the side of the pot before serving.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens the whole pot and makes the flavors pop.
  • For a smoky twist, stir in a teaspoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers, it adds depth without overwhelming heat.
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