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Slow Cooker Ground Beef Taco Soup

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An easy, kid-approved taco soup made in the slow cooker with ground beef, beans, corn, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for busy weeknights and budget-friendly family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (e.g., Old El Paso)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Rotel)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Push beef to one side of the skillet. Add diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Mix everything together.
  3. Season the beef: Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Transfer to slow cooker: Spoon the seasoned beef and onion mixture into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
  5. Add remaining ingredients: Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir until well combined.
  6. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. For deeper flavor, use low.
  7. Check and adjust: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and add salt and pepper if needed. If too thick, stir in extra broth or water.
  8. Serve and top: Ladle into bowls and let everyone add their preferred toppings.

Notes

For a thicker soup, mash some beans against the side of the slow cooker before serving or stir in a can of refried beans during the last hour. This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. To reheat, add a splash of broth to thin it out.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, taco soup, ground beef, easy, kid-friendly, weeknight dinner, budget meal

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/slow-cooker-ground-beef-taco-soup-easy-and-kid-approved/