If you’re a fan of “Taco Tuesday” (and who isn’t?), I’ve got a yummy must-try recipe for you. It’s a taco soup slow cooker recipe that is nutritious, delicious, and incredibly easy. Intrigued?
The crockpot has long been the secret weapon of busy moms (and dads!) the world over, and after seeing just how many tasty crockpot recipes are out there, I’m convinced this device can tackle anything! Taco Tuesday is no exception. 😉
Note: If you don’t have a crockpot, you really don’t know what you’re missing. They’re pretty cheap (around $20), so I highly recommend you snag one ASAP.
This slow cooker taco soup recipe is one that you only need a few minutes to throw together. Then just let the crockpot do the rest, and in a few hours you’ll have a hot and hearty meal the whole family can enjoy.
Tip: To make this taco soup slow cooker recipe even quicker to put together, brown the ground beef ahead of time. When I have a super busy week ahead of me, there are a few thing I do to ensure family dinners will run smoothly:
1. Have a meal plan.
2. Do as much prep ahead of time as possible.
For instance, I might make a few meals ahead of time and freeze them to reheat throughout the week. I like to do this with pancakes so the family can have a filling meal in the morning. Here’s how to freeze pancakes, in case you’re wondering. For this taco soup slow cooker recipe, I’d brown the beef on Sunday night and stick it in the fridge until Tuesday morning. That way I can just pull it out real quick and add all my ingredients to the slow cooker.
I especially enjoy making this slow cooker taco soup recipe in the winter because it’s so hearty and warming. In fact, I tend to rely on the crockpot to make a lot of soups during these cold midwestern months. Some of my favs are:
- Slow cooker beef stew
- Crockpot chili
- Crockpot ham and potato soup
In addition to being yummy, quick, and easy, I love this taco soup slow cooker recipe because you can easily customize it. For example, if you want to make it healthier, turn it into a slow cooker chicken taco soup by replacing the ground beef with ground chicken. (You could also replace the ground beef with ground turkey if you prefer.)
Another way to customize this slow cooker taco soup recipe is by using different garnishes for the top. Our favs are shredded cheese, sour cream, and diced green onions but feel free to get creative (ex. garnish with some crunchy tortilla strips).
If your family is a bunch of hot heads (like spicy stuff), you can make this taco soup slow cooker recipe hotter by adding in some diced jalapeños, using a can of diced tomatoes that says “hot” (versus “mild”), and using a hotter variety of taco seasoning. See? This slow cooker taco soup recipe can fit your family’s tastes whatever they might be.
Lastly, if you have a large family to feed, this taco soup slow cooker recipe can easily be doubled. Since it is so tasty, you might want to go ahead and do that anyway to ensure you have plenty of leftovers! 🙂
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground beef or chicken, browned and drained
2 cups beef broth
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, do not drain
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 can petite diced tomatoes, do not drain
1 packet ranch dressing seasoning mix
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and diced green onions (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Place cooked ground beef, beef broth, black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, ranch packet, taco packet, onion powder, and salt in slow cooker and mix well.
2. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
3. Serve with your favorite toppings (i.e. shredded cheese, sour cream, and diced green onions).
Loving this slow cooker taco soup recipe? Want more crockpot inspiration or budget friendly menu ideas? Follow Freebie Finding Mom’sSlow Cooker Recipes andEasy Dinner Recipes on a Budget Pinterest boards.
Have you tried this taco soup slow cooker recipe? Share your feedback in the comments!