Description
This Taco Soup with Ground Beef is a hearty, comforting, and flavorful one-pot meal combining savory seasoned beef, smoky turkey bacon, vibrant vegetables, and bold spices simmered in a delicious broth. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and is easily customizable to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 oz smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables and Legumes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Others
- 4 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Pinch of natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef and Smoky Turkey Bacon: Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it apart for even cooking. When the beef is halfway cooked, add the chopped smoked turkey bacon. Continue cooking until both are well browned and fragrant.
- Sauté Aromatics and Veggies: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the meat mixture. Sauté until the onions soften and become translucent. Then add the chopped bell peppers, stirring to soften slightly while retaining their vibrant color.
- Add Tomatoes, Beans, Corn, and Spices: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, drained black beans, and sweet corn kernels. Sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano evenly over the mixture. Stir well to coat all ingredients with the spices.
- Pour in Broth and Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce (natural): Add the beef or vegetable broth to the pot until all ingredients are covered. Stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Bring the soup to a gentle boil before reducing the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer and Add Natural Gelling Agent: Let the soup simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly. Stir in a pinch of natural gelling agent to enhance the texture if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Cook meat thoroughly until well browned to maximize flavor.
- Use freshly ground or recently opened spices for optimal taste.
- Do not skip the smoked turkey bacon for its smoky depth of flavor.
- Simmer gently to keep vegetables tender and flavors balanced.
- Let the soup rest off heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine fully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: taco soup, ground beef, smoked turkey bacon, hearty soup, easy weeknight meal, gluten free, one-pot soup
