Budget Friendly Taco Soup (Best Ever, Easy, One-Pot)

This Budget Friendly Taco Soup is hearty, cozy, and loaded with big taco flavor—without costing a lot. It’s a true one-pot meal with pantry staples like beans, corn, and tomatoes. Add your favorite toppings and it feels like a fun dinner night at home.

Introduction

When you need a high-impact dinner that doesn’t drain your wallet, Budget Friendly Taco Soup is the move. It’s fast, filling, and perfect for meal prep. My family always goes back for seconds, especially when there are crunchy chips and cheese on top.

The standout trick is using a simple taco-style seasoning and letting it simmer just long enough for the flavors to blend. It tastes like it cooked all day, but it’s ready on a busy weeknight. Once you try this Budget Friendly Taco Soup, it’ll become a staple.

Why You’ll Love This Budget Friendly Taco Soup

• Budget meal win: Uses affordable pantry staples.
• One-pot cleanup: Everything simmers in one pot.
• Family-friendly: Taco flavors with fun toppings.
• Meal prep friendly: Tastes even better the next day.
• Cozy and filling: Beans + protein + broth = satisfying dinner.

Ingredients for Budget Friendly Taco Soup

Soup Base

• Ground beef (1 lb): Adds hearty flavor and makes the soup filling.
• Swap: Ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Onion, chopped (1 small): Builds flavor.
• Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Adds cozy savory depth.

Pantry Staples

• Black beans, drained and rinsed (1 can, 15 oz): Adds protein and texture.
• Kidney beans, drained and rinsed (1 can, 15 oz): Makes it extra hearty.
• Swap: Pinto beans.
• Corn, drained (1 can, 15 oz): Adds sweetness and color.
• Diced tomatoes (1 can, 15 oz): Brings bright tomato flavor.
• Tomato sauce (1 can, 8 oz): Thickens the broth and adds richness.
• Low-sodium chicken broth (2 cups): Keeps it flavorful without too much salt.
• Swap: Water + extra seasoning, if you need to stretch the budget.

Seasoning

• Taco seasoning (2 tbsp): Big flavor fast.
• Swap: 1 tbsp chili powder + 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp garlic powder + 1/2 tsp salt.

Toppings

• Shredded cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro, diced onion, or avocado.

How to Make Budget Friendly Taco Soup

• 1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
• 2. Stir in garlic and taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• 3. Add beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir well.
• 4. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors blend and the soup thickens slightly.
• 5. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it’s too thick, add a splash more broth.
• 6. Serve hot with cheese, crushed chips, and any toppings you love.

Tips for Perfect Budget Friendly Taco Soup

• Use low-sodium broth: Easier to control salt with taco seasoning.
• Simmer uncovered: Helps it thicken into a cozy soup.
• Taste at the end: Beans and broth brands vary.
• Stretch it: Add an extra can of beans or more water + seasoning.
• Toppings matter: Crunchy chips and cheese make it feel extra special.

Variations & Substitutions

• Make it spicy: Add diced green chilies or a pinch of cayenne.
• Add rice: Stir in cooked rice to stretch servings.
• Vegetarian option: Skip beef and add an extra can of beans.
• Creamy version: Stir in 2 tbsp sour cream right before serving.
• Leftover idea: Spoon over baked potatoes or rice bowls.

Storing & Reheating

Store Budget Friendly Taco Soup in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of broth if it thickens.
Freeze for up to 2 months in airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

• Serve with cornbread or warm tortillas.
• Pair with a simple green salad for balance.
• Set up a toppings bar for family dinner night.
• Perfect for meal prep lunches all week.

Reader Review: “This taco soup is my go-to when money is tight. It’s filling, delicious, and the leftovers are even better!”

If you make this Budget Friendly Taco Soup, leave a rating and comment—what toppings are you piling on: chips, cheese, sour cream, or all of the above?

Budget Friendly Taco Soup (Best Ever, Easy, One-Pot)

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• Author: Donald Anderson
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

This budget friendly taco soup is hearty, filling, and made with pantry staples—an easy weeknight dinner that feeds a crowd.

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Ingredients

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• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning

• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained

• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)

• 3 cups chicken broth (or water)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)

Toppings (optional)

• Shredded cheddar, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, jalapeños, cilantro

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium-high. Brown meat 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Add onion; cook 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.

3. Stir in taco seasoning.

4. Add beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chiles, and broth.

5. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.

6. Serve with toppings.

Notes

• Stretch it: Add 1 cup cooked rice to make it go further.

• Vegetarian: Skip meat and add an extra can of beans.

• Tools: Large pot or Dutch oven.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired