Paula Deen Taco Soup Recipe

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One winter evening, I was craving a nice, warm, and satisfying soup. Searching through the recipes online, I came across Paula Deen’s Taco Soup recipe.

What caught my attention was that this soup was packed with proteins, veggies, and flavorful ground spices. Therefore, I was instantly drawn to try out this recipe and loved every sip of it.

Moreover, this Tex-Mex style taco soup recipe by Paula Deen is easy to make. It’s not just a starter; it’s a hearty, wholesome meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Though the ingredient list might seem a little too much, all you have to do is combine everything in a slow cooker or a crock pot and let it simmer until it is well-cooked. Your healthy taco soup will be ready in an hour, and you will want to make it again and again.

If you’re wondering how a soup can have tacos in it without getting soggy, then you’re right. Well, there are no tacos, but everything that you love about tacos is present in a one-pot dish.

Paula Deen has fantastically incorporated all the flavors of tacos in a soothing and delicious soup. So, let’s get into the details of this recipe. To get this one-pot dish just right, follow the steps and ingredient measurements.

Equipment Required

A Saucepan: I use a saucepan to brown the beef and onions.
Medium-Sized Bowl: This is required to keep the beef mixture after draining out the excess water.
Deep Pot: I use a deep pot to make the taco soup. However, you can also use a crockpot or a slow cooker for the same.
Wooden Spoon: I use a wooden spoon to mix all the ingredients.
Small Bowls: Assembling all the ingredients before starting any recipe is my thing. Hence, I keep all the ingredients measured in a small bowl.
Ladle: You will need a ladle to serve the soup.
Soup Bowls: I use simple white-colored soup bowls to highlight this colorful taco soup.

Paula Deen Taco Soup Ingredients And Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 5 servings. However, you can adjust the quantities of the ingredients as per your requirements.

1 (1 oz) Package Ranch Salad Dressing Mix: You can also use sour cream or Greek yogurt as a substitute.
1 (1¼ oz) Package Taco Seasoning Mix: Taco seasoning is nothing but a mix of spices like chili powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can combine all these in equal ratios to replace a taco seasoning.
½ cup (optional) Sliced Green Olives
1 Small Can (optional) Drained and Sliced Black Olives
2 (4½ oz) Cans Diced Green Chilies: Jalapenos can also be used as a substitute.
1 (14½ oz) Can Tomatoes with Chilies
1 (14½ oz) Can Diced Tomatoes
1 (14½ oz) Can Mexican Tomatoes
1 (15¼ oz) Can Drained Whole Kernel Corn: Frozen corn can also be used as an alternative option for this recipe.
1 (15¼ oz) Cans Red Kidney Beans: You can also use garbanzo beans, black beans, or green peas as substitutes in this recipe.
2 (15¼ oz) Cans Pinto Beans: Pinto beans can also be substituted with black beans, red lentils, etc.
2 Cups Diced Onions: You can also substitute onions for shallots or leeks in this recipe.
2 lbs Ground Beef: While this recipe calls for ground beef, you can also use ground pork or chicken as an alternative.
Jalapeños: Serrano, Chipotle, or Bell peppers can also be used as a substitute in this recipe.
Chopped Green Onions: White onions or shallots can also be used.
Grated Cheese: You can use any cheese of your choice.
Sour Cream: Greek yogurt or creme fraiche is something that I opt for as an alternative to sour cream when I don’t have it.
Corn Chips: You can also opt for kale chips, sweet potato chips, or cauliflower crackers, etc.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cook Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	45 Minutes	1 Hour

How To Make Paula Deen Taco Soup At Home

Step 1

Add the ground beef to a saucepan and cook it on medium-high heat.

Step 2

Then add 2 cups of diced onions to the ground beef and cook until they turn brown. Drain off excess fat and transfer the browned beef and onions to a medium-sized bowl.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add the canned Pinto beans and red kidney Beans to a large pot and cook over low to medium heat.

Step 4

Next up, add the canned corn kernels and canned tomatoes with chilies to the pot.

Step 5

Then add the diced tomatoes and ranch Mexican-style stewed tomatoes to the pot.

Step 6

Now, add chopped green chilies and green onions to the pot.

Step 7

Follow it up with green and black olives.

Step 8

Now add taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix to the pot.

Step 9

Lastly, add the ground beef and onion mixture to the pot.

Step 10

Mix all the ingredients and let them simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.

Step 11

Serve the soup in small bowls, topping it with sour cream, cheese, green onions, jalapeños, and corn chips.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I usually make my own taco seasoning as per my taste and liking of the soup. You can adjust the amount of spices accordingly if you make your own taco seasoning.
I usually prefer using fresh ingredients rather than canned ones. The freshness of the fresh veggies and beans enhances the flavor of my taco soup.
I also like adding toppings like diced avocado, creme fraiche, and shredded cheese to elevate the flavor profile of the soup.
I always taste the soup before adding an ingredient. This ensures that my soup is flavorful.
Lastly, giving soup enough time to simmer is the key to having delicious and flavorful soup on your table. Therefore, I allow my soup to simmer for a longer time, as it helps the flavors meld together.

FAQs About Paula Deen Taco Soup

How can I make Paula Deen’s taco soup less spicy?

Mexicans tend to eat spicy food, but if you feel it is too spicy for your taste buds, you can fix it by adding a dollop of cream. You can also reduce the amount of spices used in the recipes.

Why is your taco soup so watery?

One common reason your soup is watery is adding too-juicy tomatoes. Also, not giving the soup enough time to simmer can lead to a thin consistency. To thicken the consistency, you can add cornflour with water slurry.

How to thicken the soup without adding the cornstarch?

Allow the soup to thicken by simmering it on medium heat until the excess water evaporates.

Why is your beef dry in this taco soup?

This happens when you overcook the beef. You only have to brown the beef until it is no longer pink and let it simmer in the soup to finish cooking.

Why is your taco soup greasy?

The excess fat from the beef can make your soup greasy. Therefore, once the beef is browned, simply drain the excess fat.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Paula Deen’s Taco Soup is a healthy soup that is packed with a bunch of nutritional and health benefits. However, it is high in calories and sodium content. Therefore, I recommend enjoying this soup in moderation.

For your reference, I have also added the nutritional values of the ingredients used in this recipe.

Calories	895 Kcal
Carbohydrates	84 g
Fat	41 g
Total Fat	13.7 g
Saturated Fat	15 g
Cholesterol	129 mg
Sodium	1482 mg
Calcium	198 mg
Dietary Fiber	22 g
Sugars	14 g
Protein	52 g

Paula Deen’s Taco Soup is also super flexible, which makes it easy to tweak for different dietary preferences. With a few simple substitutions, this comforting soup can work for everyone at the table.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-Friendly Diet: The kidney beans used in this recipe are a big no-no for people following a keto diet. Therefore, you can replace them by adding green beans or edamame to make this soup suitable for a keto diet.
Low-Sodium Diet: To avoid heavy sodium intake, people following a low-sodium diet should opt for fresh ingredients rather than canned ones.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I transfer the leftovers of the taco soup into an airtight container before placing it in the fridge. That way, it can last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: When I want the soup to last longer, I prefer placing it in a freezer-friendly container. That way, it will last for about 4 – 6 months.

Reheating

Stovetop: To reheat frozen soup, I first thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, I reheat it in a non-stick pan over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until the soup is warmed through.
Microwave: You can also reheat the soup in the microwave. For that, you can transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl to reheat it. Then, I reheat the soup for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring it every 30 seconds or so to ensure even heating and add water if needed.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Although this soup is good enough to be enjoyed on its own, you will be surprised to know that it goes well with many things. From Tortilla Chips to Fried Rice, it can be served with almost anything.

You can also serve it with Flatbread, Salads, Butter Biscuits, and Mozzarella Sticks.

Printable Version

Other Paula Deen Recipes That You Can Try

Chili Recipe In White Bowl — Paula Deen Chili

Lasagna In White Plate — Paula Deen Chili

Conclusion

This Paula Deen taco soup is a Tex-Mex-style soup that is rich in flavors and makes for a perfect, wholesome meal. It is a quick and easy one-pot dish that is sure to become a staple at your home, too.

All you need to do is follow the recipe, and with the help of a few tips and tricks, you will have a delicious soupy treat. Also, don’t forget to share your experience with the recipe in the comment section below.