Lazy Day Taco Soup in Slow Cooker Recipe: Set & Forget Yum

Whipping up a hearty taco soup in slow cooker feels like a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Layers of robust flavors merge seamlessly, creating a meal that speaks directly to your appetite.

Mexican-inspired ingredients dance together, promising a delightful dining experience.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Comfort meets convenience in a single pot, inviting you to savor every spoonful.

Dive into this delicious journey and let the magic of slow cooking transform your meal.

Slow Cooker Goodness: Taco Soup Simplified

• Craft Comforting Meals: This slow cooker taco soup delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy families seeking a hearty dinner solution.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible recipe allows personal touches like cheese, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips, making it adaptable to individual taste preferences.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Slow cooker method transforms simple ingredients into a rich, deeply satisfying meal with zero constant monitoring required, letting you enjoy stress-free preparation.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kid-approved flavors and protein-packed ingredients create a crowd-pleasing meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table with delicious Mexican-inspired comfort.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Taco Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides rich, meaty texture to the soup.

• Chili Beans: Add protein, fiber, and a classic Southwestern flavor to the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Contribute a tangy, slightly sweet base and create a robust liquid foundation for the soup.

• Taco Seasoning: Brings a zesty, spicy Mexican-inspired flavor profile to the dish.
• Onion: Adds depth and a subtle sweet undertone to the overall soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Help to enhance and balance the other flavors in the soup.

• Cheese, Sour Cream: Provide creamy richness and additional flavor contrast to the spicy soup.

How to Make Taco Soup in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Sizzle and Soften Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking.

Once the beef turns brown and develops a rich color, add diced onions and cook until they become translucent and release their aromatic fragrance.

Step 2: Spice Up the Beef

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and onion mixture.

Stir thoroughly to ensure every morsel gets coated with the zesty spice blend, creating a flavor-packed base for your soup.

Step 3: Transfer to Slow Cooker

Carefully transfer the seasoned beef and onion mixture into the slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: Build the Soup Base

• Chili beans
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Water

Step 5: Season and Mix

Dust the remaining taco seasoning over the ingredients. Gently stir to combine, ensuring all components are well integrated and evenly distributed.

Step 6: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours. This slow cooking process allows flavors to meld and develop a rich, comforting taste.

Step 7: Final Flavor Adjustment

Once cooking is complete, taste the soup. Add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Step 8: Serve and Customize

• Shredded cheese.
• Sour cream.
• Chopped cilantro.
• Sliced jalapeños.

Pro Tips for Flavorful Slow Cooker Taco Soup

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the soup, ensuring a cleaner and healthier dish.
• Sauté onions until golden brown to enhance their natural sweetness and add deeper flavor to the taco soup.
• Experiment with different bean varieties like black beans or kidney beans for added texture and nutritional variety.
• For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans, maintaining the robust taste profile.
• Freeze leftover soup in portion-sized containers for quick and convenient meals during busy weekdays.

Variations on Classic Slow Cooker Taco Soup

• Vegetarian Bean Swap: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version that maintains the hearty soup texture.
• Chicken Variation: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or ground turkey for a leaner protein option that keeps the classic taco soup flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free taco seasoning and ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, or a dash of cayenne pepper to amp up the heat and create a more intense southwestern flavor experience.

Pairing Suggestions for Taco Soup

• Crisp Corn Tortilla Chips: Scoop up the hearty soup with crunchy, golden tortilla chips for a perfect textural contrast and added Mexican-inspired flavor.
• Zesty Lime Margarita Pairing: Complement the rich, spicy soup with a classic margarita that brings citrusy brightness and cuts through the soup's warmth.
• Fresh Cilantro-Avocado Salad: Create a light, refreshing side salad with chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and a squeeze of lime to balance the soup's robust flavors.
• Mexican Lager Cool-Down: Enjoy a cold, crisp Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to refresh the palate and enhance the soup's southwestern profile.

Storing Slow Cooker Taco Soup for Best Taste

Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the flavor and texture intact.

Pour soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality.

Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Pour soup into a saucepan, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking, heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally until thoroughly heated and steaming.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative. Simply brown it the same way as beef and follow the recipe as written.

• Do I need to drain the beans before adding?

No, you can add the beans directly from the can, liquid and all. This helps create a richer, more flavorful soup.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can freeze the soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

• Can I make this recipe spicier?

Sure! Add some diced jalapeños, use hot taco seasoning, or include a dash of cayenne pepper to increase the heat level.

Taco Soup In Slow Cooker Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty taco soup simmers with zesty Mexican-inspired flavors, blending ground beef, black beans, and tomatoes in one comforting pot. Quick and easy preparation brings warmth to your table, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this crowd-pleasing meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 (15 ounces/425 grams) cans chili beans
• 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) water
• 2–3 tablespoons taco seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
2. Incorporate diced onions into the beef, sautéing until onions become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
3. Sprinkle initial portion of taco seasoning over the meat mixture, stirring to ensure even distribution of flavors.
4. Carefully transfer seasoned beef and onion combination into the slow cooker.
5. Pour chili beans, tomato sauce, water, and diced tomatoes directly into the slow cooker, creating a rich, layered base.
6. Generously dust remaining taco seasoning across the liquid ingredients, gently stirring to integrate all components.
7. Cover slow cooker and set to high temperature, allowing soup to simmer and meld flavors for 4 hours, or alternatively on low for 6-8 hours.
8. After cooking duration, sample the soup and modulate seasoning with salt and pepper according to personal preference.
9. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings like shredded cheese, dollops of sour cream, or fresh chopped cilantro for enhanced texture and taste.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the soup.
• Drain and rinse the beef after browning to remove additional grease and improve overall dish nutrition.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, lower-calorie alternative that still delivers robust flavor.
• Consider using low-sodium taco seasoning and beans to control salt intake while maintaining delicious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 303
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg