You’ve got to love 5 Ingredient Taco Soup for its bold taco flavor and how quickly it comes together. This budget-friendly, family-approved meal is ready in about 15 minutes and is easy to customize based on what you have on hand.
This soup works with a variety of proteins: leftover mojo pork or pulled pork, frozen ground beef, rotisserie chicken, or shredded chicken. For vegetarian variations, double the beans or use a meat substitute. It’s versatile, forgiving, and always comforting.
Taco Soup Recipe
There are countless taco soup recipes out there, some more complicated than others, but this simple five-ingredient version is my go-to on busy nights. It’s satisfying, flavorful, and I almost always have the ingredients in my pantry or freezer.
When you need a fast dinner that still feels like comfort food, this soup fits the bill. It’s flexible and can be adapted to feed a crowd or to use up leftovers.
Taco Soup Ingredients
- Leftover pulled pork, shredded chicken, taco meat, or 1 pound ground beef, turkey, or chicken (see notes)
- Canned or cooked black beans, pinto beans, red beans, or kidney beans
- Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or stock
- Canned diced tomatoes (with or without green chilies), crushed tomatoes, tomato purée, or unseasoned tomato sauce
- Homemade or purchased taco seasoning
All of these protein and tomato options work well because the taco seasoning and broth pull everything together. I usually default to chicken broth and black beans, but feel free to mix and match.
Canned Beans
Choose the beans you prefer. Black beans are my family’s favorite, but any canned bean will do. If using chili beans, include the sauce rather than rinsing. For other canned beans, drain and rinse before adding them to the pot. If you want a thicker stew-like texture, stir in a can of refried beans.
For tomatoes, tomato purée creates a smooth base, while diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel) add extra heat and texture. If you prefer a smoother soup, briefly blend the diced tomatoes before adding.
More Optional Ingredients for Taco Soup
While five ingredients are enough to make a delicious taco soup, you can add extras such as canned corn, bell peppers, or any taco toppings you like. This soup is a great refrigerator-cleanout dish.
Popular garnishes include avocado, a squeeze of lime, tortilla chips, shredded cheddar or pepper jack, cilantro, chopped onions or green onions, pico de gallo, candied jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or crema. If it’s good on a taco, it will likely be delicious on this soup.
Equipment
- Large soup pot (3 quarts or larger)
- Can opener
- Long-handled spoon
- Strainer
You don’t need a special pot—any large stockpot or Dutch oven will work.
With this quick prep you’ll have time to assemble a simple dessert or a cocktail before dinner, but the real appeal is the speedy, flavorful meal itself.
5 Ingredient Taco Soup
Instructions:
If using leftover shredded chicken, pulled pork, or taco meat, combine all ingredients in a large stock pot, Dutch oven, or soup pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve as is or top with a squeeze of lime, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, tortilla chips, canned corn, shredded cheese, diced red onions or green onions, avocado, or any other taco-style toppings you enjoy.
Notes:
If you’re starting with raw ground turkey or ground beef, brown the meat first in the pot. Drain excess fat, then add the remaining ingredients and continue as directed.
5 Ingredient Taco Soup
Rebecca Lindamood
Equipment
- Soup pot
- Can opener
- Long handled spoon
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 3 cups leftover shredded chicken or pulled pork or taco meat, or 1 lb ground turkey or beef (see notes)
- 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles or tomato purée, crushed tomatoes, or diced tomatoes in juices
- 4 cups chicken broth or beef or vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
Optional but delicious:
- Any taco toppings you enjoy
Instructions
- If using leftover shredded chicken, pulled pork, or taco meat, stir all ingredients together in a stock pot, Dutch oven, or soup pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve topped with a squeeze of lime, Greek yogurt or sour cream, tortilla chips, canned corn, shredded cheese, diced onions, avocado, or any preferred garnishes.
- Notes: If using raw ground turkey or ground beef, brown the meat in the pot first, drain excess fat, then add the remaining ingredients and proceed as directed.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Protein: 27 g
Fat: 6 g
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate values with the actual ingredients you use for accuracy.